Fixed PID Detection for the Petrochemical Industry
Photoionization detectors (PID) are instruments used to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) accurately. The umbrella term of VOCs encompasses numerous gases and vapours, and the PID detector can detect more than 700 of them. This blog post will examine why PID detection is important for the petrochemical industry.
What is a PID Fixed Detector?
A PID fixed detector, also known as a PID sensor, is a necessary piece of equipment for detecting gas leaks and harmful volumes of gases and vapours in rooms and confined spaces. Although this article focuses on fixed gas detectors, it is worth noting that portable PID detectors are available for confined spaces.
The PID detector uses ultraviolet (UV) light to break gas molecules down into positively or negatively charged ions. Once the molecules have been broken down, they generate an electric current which can be measured. A stronger electric current would indicate a higher concentration of VOCs in the atmosphere.
Why is Fixed PID Detection Used in the Petrochemical Industry?
Plant managers in the petrochemical industry must protect personnel from many hazards in the workplace. All processes in this industry that could cause harm and may require fixed PID detection. For example, the process of refining petrochemicals naturally releases a wide range of VOC’s that can cause serious harm. Thus, whether distilling, cracking, storing or even transporting VOCs, there is still a serious hazard present. And fixed PID detection can help to identify this quickly.
Accurately detecting volatile organic compounds is vital for plant managers because they can cause numerous health issues to those who come into contact with them. These side effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and other more severe impacts like vomiting and damage to the central nervous system. Because of these health impacts, gas detectors must be implemented to protect staff and the wider environment.
What are the Advantages of Fixed PID Detection?
Fixed PID detection systems are critical components where hazardous gases could be present and are used to keep staff and sites safe. Aside from gas leak detection, some of the advantages of our fixed PID detectors include the following:
Cost Effective
Using our Sentinel+ technology, our PID gas detectors offer significantly reduced installation costs. And with this unique patented technology, communication is 40-80% faster than alternatives on the market, providing a more reliable and cost effective gas detection system. We have also designed the sensors to be easily replaceable once they reach the end of their service life, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Unique Electrode Stack
IGDs unique electrode stack design puts us at an advantage over competition. With this, the effects of humidity and temperature (common side effects of PIDs) are completely eliminated. This eliminates the possibilities of false readings and drift, ensuring you have an accurate and reliable PID throughout the sensor life.
Long Life Lamps
IGD manufacture PID detectors with a non-electrode UV lamp, allowing it to operate for up to 30,000 hours, the longest operation time on the market. This non-electrode lamp also helps remove a common problem with PID detectors, which is the sputtering effect within the lamp.
Sentinel+ Technology
The Sentinel+ addressable technology is outstanding. It keeps sensors connected to the main system on a radial, collects high-quality data, protects the system from corruption or loss of data, and monitors gas concentration and flow.
Versatile
As the most versatile systems currently available, our TOCSIN 750 and 650 gas detection series provide many benefits that cannot be found in other detectors. These systems allow for up to 350 connected devices and can detect over 700 gases and vapours.
PID Detection at IGD
International Gas Detectors develop and manufacture a range of fixed PID detectors perfectly suited to the petrochemical industry. We are proud to say that our latest range of VOC gas detectors are revolutionary and have been designed through over twenty years of PID experience.
Our range of fixed PID detection
Our fixed PID detectors include the TOC-750 Safe Area addressable detector, the TOC-903-X5 Standalone ATEX/IECEx detector and a few others. They provide a number of benefits to any customer from low installation costs to a 200% increase in lamp lifetime.
If you would like more information about our detectably better PID detectors, contact us today and one of our experts will be in touch.
