Trends and prospects for the development of the equipment market for creating security systems at explosive industrial facilities. Explosion-proof equipment — new products of 2010.
Of the total number of explosive industrial production facilities, enterprises involved in the extraction, processing, storage and transportation of oil and oil products, gas and other hydrocarbons account for about 40% of the total number of facilities. If we take economic indicators rather than quantitative ones as the basis for the analysis, this percentage will certainly change. The oil and gas production industry today accounts for a much larger share of GDP than other sectors of the Russian economy. This is well known. Nevertheless, the remaining approximately 60% of explosive industrial facilities make up the real production sector of the Russian economy, which is developing quite dynamically and effectively. Most industrial enterprises that work with fire-hazardous, flammable, spontaneously igniting or explosive substances are strategic facilities in almost 90% of cases. This is the production of fuel, electricity, heat, food, building materials, mineral fertilizers, medicines, weapons and much more. Security systems at such enterprises must not only have the highest parameters in terms of their direct purpose, but also not create problems for the technological production process and not be a risk factor caused by the operation of electrical equipment. Special explosion-proof design of equipment used in security systems solves these problems and reduces the said risk to a minimum.
Leading Russian enterprises working in the field of creating equipment for security systems in explosion-proof and other special designs release several dozen new devices and their modifications every year. 2010 was no exception.
Constant improvement of the element base, production equipment and technologies, as well as tightening of legislation in the field of explosion-proof equipment design allows Russian manufacturers to produce equipment based on new original ideas or improve and modernize devices that have been in serial production for a long time. The main trend in the field of progressing explosion-proof equipment is a gradual transition from expensive devices with «explosion-proof casings» (d) to devices with an «intrinsically safe electric circuit» (i). In the production of devices with «explosion-proof casings», there is also a tendency to gradually replace metal casings with their analogues made of special reinforced plastics. The exception here is still stainless steel devices, the production of which is growing from year to year. The fact is that devices with stainless steel casings also solve the problem of using equipment in harsh climates and aggressive environments.
The emergence of a new regulatory framework (GOST R 52350. Equipment for explosive gas environments) also tightens the requirements for the design of devices, especially for devices with an “explosion-proof enclosure.”
It should also be noted that of all types of explosion protection, only the «intrinsically safe electrical circuit» completely eliminates a possible explosive situation due to the operation of electrical equipment. The casings of devices may have various defects, may be incorrectly mounted or damaged in the event of an accident or improper operation. Dangerous situations may also arise when cable routes are damaged, and only devices and circuits with «intrinsically safe electrical circuits» will not create problems at an explosive facility under any circumstances, situations or accidents.
According to GOST R, the highest level of explosion protection is provided by equipment marked as 0Ex – “especially explosion-proof equipment”. This high level of explosion protection is achieved by using the explosion protection type “intrinsically safe electrical circuit”. And one more important detail: equipment and systems (including installation work) with “intrinsically safe electrical circuits” in the vast majority of cases have a much lower cost.
It is these motives (in the author's opinion) that today determine the prospects for the development of the explosion-proof security system equipment market — an increasing production of new devices with an «intrinsically safe electrical circuit».
Now about the new products of 2010, the appearance of which confirms this trend.
BISH — spark protection barrier of the alarm loop
The BISSh alarm loop spark protection barrier ensures spark safety of one fire and/or security alarm loop, with contact fire and/or security detectors, contact sensors, buttons with normally closed or open contacts, detectors powered via a loop with spark protection level ia for explosion-proof electrical equipment of group II, subgroup IIC.
The BISSh spark protection barrier is related to related equipment and has explosion protection marking [Exia]IIC. The barrier is designed to protect intrinsically safe circuits when exposed to voltages up to 250 V and is installed outside the explosion hazardous area.
The BISSh barrier is designed to operate in control and monitoring device loops with a short-circuit current of no more than 20 mA and a supply voltage in the alarm loop of up to 24 V.
The BISSH spark protection barrier can be used together with security, fire and security-fire control and monitoring devices, provided that the technical characteristics of the BISSH and the control and monitoring device used correspond.
IP 435-4-Ex «Segment» — explosion-proof gas fire detector
The IP 435-4-Ex «Segment» detector with explosion protection marking 0ExiaIICT6/POExiaI is designed to detect fires accompanied by an increase in carbon monoxide (CO) in explosive zones of closed spaces of various buildings and structures, as well as on ships, vessels, rolling stock of railway transport, mines, pits and other industrial facilities.
The IP 435-4-Ex «Segment» detector generates a fire notification when the threshold CO concentration is reached or when the threshold rate of CO concentration increase is reached. In terms of sensitivity to carbon monoxide CO, the detector belongs to the 2nd class of gas fire detectors and responds to a concentration of 41 to 80 ppm. Using an internal switch, it is possible to change the sensitivity of the IP 435-4-Ex «Segment» detector to threshold concentrations of 21–40 ppm and less than 20 ppm.
Fire detectors with a gas channel allow you to detect a fire at its initial stage, are practically not subject to false alarms, and function properly in dusty and dirty rooms.
The IP 435-4-Ex «Segment» detector has three modifications that differ in their area of application (see photo):
industrial version in ABS plastic housing with high IP parameter;
explosion-proof version in PT080 plastic housing;
explosion-proof and mine version in stainless steel housing.
Parameters controlled by the gas channel of the IP 435-4-Ex «Segment» detector:
the maximum area of the CO detection zone is 120 m²;
the maximum controlled volume is 400 m³;
the maximum installation height is 16 m.
«Plasma» — combined alarm device
The combined fire alarm device «Plasma» is designed to alert people about a fire by means of a light information board and an audible signal.
The explosion-proof and mine version of the alarm device «Plasma-Ex» has the explosion protection type «intrinsically safe circuit ia», explosion protection marking 0ExiaIICT6 X/POExiaI X.
The Plasma-Ex alarm device can be used in underground mines, quarries and their above-ground structures, as well as in closed spaces of various buildings, structures and other industrial facilities and in hazardous areas according to the classification according to GOST R 51330.0 and the Electrical Installation Code (edition 6, chapter 7.3) and other directive documents regulating the use of electrical equipment in hazardous areas in accordance with the established explosion protection marking (electrical equipment of subgroups IIA, IIB, IIC of temperature class T6 according to GOST R 51330.13).
The industrial version (without explosion protection means) of the Plasma alarm device has an enclosure protection rating of IP67 and is powered by a rated voltage of 12 V DC or from a 220 V 50 Hz network.
The alarm is designed for round-the-clock operation at ambient temperatures from -55 to +85 °C and relative humidity up to 98% at a temperature of 35 °C.
The design of the alarm allows its operation in conditions of exposure to aggressive environments.
«Kulon-Ex» — redundant explosion-proof power supply
The backup explosion-proof secondary power supply IPVR-Ex «Kulon-Ex» -12V/2.5A/12A/h is designed to provide power to devices with a stabilized voltage of 12 V from the network or from a built-in battery in the event of a disconnection of the 220 V/50 Hz network power supply during operation in closed heated or partially heated rooms in explosive zones.
The «Kulon-Ex» power supply is designed to supply low-voltage devices located in explosive zones, such as light information boards of warning and evacuation control systems, security and fire alarm detectors connected using a 4-wire circuit, low-voltage lighting devices, video cameras of CCTV systems, various automation devices, instrumentation and automation, etc.
The source in an aluminum case has the explosion protection marking 2ExemIIT3 X, in a stainless steel case — 2ExemIIT3 X/RPExemI X and can be used in explosion hazardous areas of classes 1 and 2 in accordance with GOST R 51330.13-99.
The source provides the load with direct current power with a nominal voltage of 12 V, designed for round-the-clock operation at ambient temperatures from -10 to +50 °C and relative humidity up to 98% at a temperature of 35 °C.
The design of the source allows its operation in conditions of exposure to aggressive environments.
«Berkut-Ex» — explosion-proof video camera
The explosion-proof video camera «Berkut-Ex» is designed to organize security or technological video surveillance and can be used in underground mines, pits and their above-ground structures, as well as in closed rooms of various buildings, structures and other industrial facilities and in explosion-hazardous areas in accordance with the established explosion protection marking. The environment may contain explosive mixtures of gases and vapors with air of category IIA, IIB.
The housing of the video camera «Berkut-Ex» has an explosion-proof design with the explosion protection type explosion-proof enclosure d. Explosion protection marking 1ExdIIВT6/PBExdI. The degree of protection of the enclosure is IP66.
The explosion-proof video camera «Berkut-Ex» is equipped with modular video cameras of black and white or color high resolution (580 TVL for a black and white video camera, 520 TVL for a color video camera), with an auto diaphragm and a constant focal length (3.6/6.0/8.0/12.0 mm).
The explosion-proof casing of the video camera «Berkut-Ex» does not have an internal heater and thermostat and is not intended for use in low (below +1 C) temperatures.