IGD and Coup are proud to release details for the recently won contract to upgrade a flammable gas detector system for DPO in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Our distributor and partnership with Coup meant we successfully won the international tender using our ground-breaking addressable systems. DPO provide public transport buses across the Czech Republic, all powered by CNG gas (Compressed Natural Gas). These buses are maintained and repaired across 3 different locations, thus a large supply of CNG gas detectors was needed. Read on to find out more about the application and the solution IGD and Coup was able to supply for DPO, including our world’s most poison resistant pellistor based flammable gas detector.
Why did DPO need CNG gas detectors?
We all know buses have a tough service life, operating 24/7 in all sorts of conditions. Maintenance is critical to keeping the fleet in safe working condition and providing maximum up time. The client maintains and stores the fleet at three locations in the Czech Republic. To improve efficiency and reduce emissions the fleet has been converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG is mostly comprised of Methane which is flammable in atmosphere in the range 5-15% by volume. Typically buses run diesel fuelled engines where fuel leaks don’t represent much of a fire hazard and can be simply dealt with. Methane leaks present much more of a fire or explosion hazard so it is essential to ensure there is no hazardous build up should there be any CNG leaks.
DPO needed a competent flammable gas detector upgrade to mitigate this risk.
Their fleets of hundreds of buses are located for repair amongst 3 primary locations in the city: Hranecnik, Poruba, Martinov. Installation of CNG gas detectors required approval from the fire department in the Czech Republic, so it was important to the client that the equipment met their requirements. It was also requested by the customer to have the flammable gas detectors equipped with remote gassing ports, reducing the cost of service as working at heights permits are not required. In addition, they needed a flammable gas detector system that is prepared to also detect hydrogen leaks as DPO have plans to introduce hydrogen powered buses in the future.
IGDs Flammable Gas Detector solution
IGDs solution was to provide our TOC-750X flammable gas detectors for each of their locations. This is because with IGDs revolutionary 2-Wire technology, we were able to upgrade the obsolete, existing system, using pre-existing wiring, cutting the installation costs by 70%. This increasing the convenience for not only the customer, but for IGD as it means no wiring is going to waste.
Our 2-Wire addressable system also allowed for a significant reduction in cabling, as power and communication is through the same cable pair, with detectors daisy chained together on a single cable run. This was ideal for the client because they required the installation of 53 CNG gas detectors and 4 control panels on the Hranecnik site, 40 detectors and 2 control panels in Poruba and 14 detectors and 1 control panel in Martinov. The 2-Wire addressable technology allows for 32 flammable gas detectors on one cable highway, connected to one panel which can have up to 6 cable highways. This technology also allows for a long-range connection without any reduction in performance.
This flammable gas detector system also offers computer visualisation from each control panel, allowing for easy, at-a-glance status checking. This system also offers SMS status notification, which was particularly convenient for DPO as they do not have to be near panels to check the status of their gas detection system.
These 750X flammable gas detectors also use our brand new MK 8 pellistor. This new MK8 Pellistor from IGD offers extreme poison resistance. The MK 8 offers the best poison resistance available on the market, outliving even our market leading MK 3 sensor. This sensor also offers less than 2% stability drift per year and is resistant to shock or vibration, all exceeding industry standards. The system of detectors and controllers is both ATEX and IECEX and UL approved to latest standards This is particularly convenient for DPO as they can be reassured, they are getting accurate CNG gas detector readings throughout its life with minimal interference from external factors.
The MK8 is also unaffected by humidity and only responds to flammable gases. This again significantly reducing the cross interference from other gases and ensuring the flammable gas detector reading is accurate and true. This ground-breaking new sensor can also be calibrated using a wide range of flammable gases. This is particularly convenient for DPO as it allows our partner company of Coup to calibrate this sensor when needed with ease. In addition, IGD offer a wide range of accessories including remote gassing ports, splash guards, collector hoods and collector cones. As natural gas and Hydrogen are lighter than air gases, the sensors needed to be placed in the ceiling alcoves. With traditional flammable gas detectors this would mean you would need working at heights permits to access the detectors for routine calibration. However, we offer remote gassing ports which enables tubing to be connected to the gas detector and brought down to floor level. This allows engineers to apply gas to the flammable gas detector at floor level, making it easier, cheaper, and safer to service. This was another major benefit for DPO when choosing their gas detection system.
The End Result
As of right now, 2 sites are finished, with the Martinov site set to be finished this month. The client is extremely satisfied with the flammable gas detector system supplied, along with the way the system was delivered to DPO. DPO are particularly happy with the reduced installation and commissioning times made possible with the Sentinel+ technology. Coup Ostrava are also highly impressed with IGD and are now using this project as a reference to other public transport companies across the Czech Republic: “Tocsin 750 2-Wire addressable gas detection system is a great product that moves the present gas detection portfolio on the higher technological level.” This major project further highlights the major benefits of our addressable gas detection systems over dated analogue and basic 4-Wire addressable systems currently used in the industry. In addition, this is also a major project using the world’s most reliable, poison resistant and longest life pellistor based flammable gas detector. Which is another major advancement and achievement from IGD. Finally, this project also further enhances Coup Ostrava position in the Czech Republic safety market, as the go to supplier and service provider for gas detection systems. Coup Ostrava have full training from IGD to enable their team to present, quote, provide and service, IGD’s ground-breaking addressable gas detection systems.
Contact IGD today
IGD have over 100 years of experience in gas detection, with specialist knowledge in the field and revolutionary technology from our team of experts. In addition, we were the first gas detection company to develop the pellistor flammable gas detector back in the 1930s. This making us one of the most experienced gas detection companies in the world and the go to solution for flammable gas detection. Contact our team today to find out more about our Addressable gas detection technology or click the link below
