Det-Tronics Compliance Tips: Fire and Gas Detection and Suppression Systems for LNG Facilities (White Paper)

WHITE PAPER Compliance Tips: Fire and Gas Detection and Suppression Systems for LNG Facilities Planning for functional safety requires an understanding of process hazards, relevant industry standards and local codes, and available product and system solutions. Liqueﬁed natural gas (LNG) is 600 times denser than the gas form, making the economics to transport LNG more attractive (and more feasible) than transporting natural gas in pipelines over great distances across oceans. There are several proprietary processes used to make LNG, all of which involve refrigerating the gas and then expanding it to turn into a cryogenic liquid. Inherent in these processes are the risks associated with spills and leaks as well as other process hazards. Non-ﬂammable as a cryogenic liquid, when LNG warms, it vaporizes (re-gases) and may form a ﬂammable mixture upon reaching a concentration of between 5% and 15% methane-to-air. If LNG should leak to the environment, it will quickly vaporize and form a rising cloud of methane gas, without leaving a residue. The hazard is created when the cloud forms a ﬂammable concentration that presents a risk for ignition. If the leak occurs within a conﬁned area, there is a potential for ignition with explosion. The heat release rate from an LNG pool ﬁre is approximately 60% greater than that of a gasoline pool ﬁre of the same size. There are also non-ﬂammable hazards in LNG facilities due to the presence of refrigerants and other chemicals used in the gas treatment process. It is the job of the facility’s ﬁre and gas detection system to detect these hazards and take appropriate action. System objectives In the event of loss of LNG containment, the process facility’s ﬁre and gas detection system must rapidly www.det-tronics.com identify the hazard and indicate its location. Each hazard must be assessed and assigned a detection scheme with appropriate response actions that are documented. No two LNG facilities are exactly the same. Each conforms to its local surroundings, and is laid out and customdesigned to meet speciﬁc material, throughput, storage and transport objectives. However, they use common technologies and perform similar processes. System performance There is a direct correlation between the performance of a ﬁre and gas detection system and: • The appropriateness of the detection technology selected • The number and location of the detectors • Environmental conditions Determining which types of detectors to use and where to place them requires a review of the process and the hazards presented, as well as ﬁre and gas detection expertise. In order for a system to be designed appropriately, system performance must be clearly deﬁned and documented in terms of the hazards present in each process unit (or zone). Detector coverage The required coverage of hazards by a ﬂame and gas detection system needs to be speciﬁed. This should include specifying the appropriate technology for the 800-765-3473 White Paper Page 2 detection of the hazard and the required coverage of each hazard. For example, infrared (IR) gas detectors will not detect hydrogen sulﬁde. The correct mechanical and electrical properties of the detectors must also be carefully selected to ensure that they are appropriate for use in the environment and location in which they are to be mounted. 3D models help document a ﬁre and gas system design, and provide calculations for the coverage afforded by a particular detection scheme to ensure that coverage targets are attained. 3D mapping is also valuable for showing individual detectors’ obstructed ﬁelds of view. (See Figure 1.) Reliable detection without false alarms A detector with a greater detection range is generally considered an advantage, since it means greater ability to detect the hazard either earlier or from greater distances. However, it is important that the detector does not lead to an increased incidence of false alarms. The system may be conﬁgured to automatically initiate corrective actions, including engaging the emergency shutdown (ESD) system, when gas or a ﬂame is detected. However, false alarms that trigger emergency shutdowns are expensive in terms of cleanup costs, lost revenue, and time-consuming reviews, paperwork and reporting. In order to reduce the probability of false alarms and unintended activations, it is imperative to use a performance-certiﬁed detection system that provides immunity to false alarm sources, and is unaffected by electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI). This is especially important when a facility uses electrical drives. Figure 2: Covering a hazard area with voting detectors can reduce the probability of alarming in the face of a legitimate threat, particularly where environmental factors such as wind may be present. Redundancy and fault tolerance Redundancy should be considered based upon the criticality of a component, i.e., the impact of that component’s failure. For example, a facility may consist of multiple processing trains, each with its own ﬁre and gas system. In this case, the loss of one controller—and therefore one train—may not be that critical. However, a single ﬁre and gas controller could be managing an entire facility’s ﬁre and gas detection system. A failure of that controller could lead to facility-wide loss of production; therefore, redundancy of this critical component can increase facility availability. When redundancy is employed, the wiring for the redundant components must be carefully analyzed to remove potential common-mode failures that can be caused by using common cable or conduit. Diverse routing of wiring for redundant components will eliminate these possible points of failure. Redundancy in the detection wiring scheme (Class A) should also be considered for the purpose of reducing the impact of lost alarm capability. In addition to the wiring architecture, there are also many environmental factors, such as wind or other sources of air movement, to consider. Environmental factors are even more critical with a voted detection design. For example, consider two gas detectors installed ﬁve meters apart in a zone voted to alarm at 20% LFL/LEL. A larger gas cloud may be needed to contact both detectors to alarm at a 20% LFL/LEL level in a typical outdoor environment. (See Figure 2.) Figure 1: 3D mapping can be used to show obstructions in an individual detector’s ﬁeld of view. www.det-tronics.com 800-765-3473 White Paper Page 3 Detector Types Multispectrum infrared—ﬂame Fixed-point— combustible gas Fixed-point— toxic gas Line-of-sight—gas Figure 3: A simpliﬁed LNG process Selecting detector types in an LNG process There are different hazards throughout the LNG process that require different detectors and/or technologies. Figure 3 depicts the detector types suggested at each stage in the liquefaction process. In addition to the need for ﬂame and gas detection throughout the liquefaction stages, detectors are also needed in other LNG facility hazard zones, such as storage tank process areas, crosssite transfer trenches and emergency impounding basins. (See Figure 4.) The process starts with sour natural gas. As the sour gas passes through the inlet pipes, it enters the inlet scrubber, which removes particulate and liquid contaminants in order to make the gas suitable for further processing. The gas then moves on to the acid gas unit where hydrogen sulﬁde (H2S) and CO2 are removed. www.det-tronics.com Since H2S is particularly poisonous and ﬂammable, toxic gas detectors are located in this area as well as IR detectors for natural gas (NG). The gas then moves on to the dehydration stage. With the H2S removed, detectors in this area are looking only for NG leaks. The ﬁnal liquefaction stage is the refrigeration of the gas. The gas goes through a series of compression and cooling steps that ultimately create the LNG. There are many potential leak points and ignition sources in this area of an LNG facility. Here, point and line-of-sight (open-path) IR gas detectors are conﬁgured to identify the spectral signature of the processor’s refrigerant gases—propane, ethylene or methane. If the hazard is a refrigerant gas composed of a mixture of gases, then a careful review of the mixture should be made in order to determine what the IR gas detectors should be conﬁgured to detect. 800-765-3473 White Paper Page 4 In the ﬁnal refrigeration step, the chilled gas enters the cold box to be transformed into liqueﬁed natural gas (LNG). From this point forward, IR gas detectors are conﬁgured to look speciﬁcally for methane leaks. Additional IR gas detectors are placed along the piping as the LNG is transferred to storage tanks, and then ﬁnally onto loading racks or jetties for shipment. In addition to gas detection, it is also imperative to detect ﬂame hazards throughout the LNG process. The multispectrum infrared (MSIR) ﬂame detector offers optimum performance for this purpose in an LNG facility. Control and integration Any effective ﬁre and gas detection and suppression system must be capable of interfacing with and integrating ﬂame, gas and smoke detectors, ﬁre suppression devices and notiﬁcation appliances. The ﬁre/gas and suppression control system must be able to: • Reliably detect hazards and provide appropriate audible and visual alarms and location of each hazard • Be available during all plant conditions, e.g., plant shutdowns, turnarounds, maintenance • Integrate seamlessly to other plant control systems, which provide control of mitigation actions such as starting water pumps, opening deluge valves and closing heating, ventilating and air conditioning inlet dampers • Route digital outputs to the emergency shutdown system in order to isolate and shut down process equipment The controller must also be able to handle voting logic and support user logic that allows the correct actions to be taken to mitigate the detected event. The Eagle Quantum Premier® (EQP) ﬁre- and gas-safety controller by Det-Tronics is one such platform. The EQP provides access to the local operator network (LON) and empowers the operator to conﬁgure, program, monitor, diagnose and control the entire system from a single point of control. When designing a ﬁre and gas system in any region of the world, the designer needs to know and understand the applicable code and standards. However, some codes and standards must be followed because they are legislated, such www.det-tronics.com Figure 4: Ofﬂoading and storage areas in LNG facilities also require coverage by ﬂame and gas detectors. The diagrams depict three typical hazard zones: an emergency impounding basin, the storage tank process area and a cross-site transfer trench. as ﬁre codes or hazardous locations standards. Using codes and standards for system design and as criteria for evaluating product performance will meet the minimum requirements for what is considered good engineering practice. In the U.S., the National Fire Protection Association has published NFPA 59A, a legislated document that governs the design of LNG facilities. In turn, NFPA 59A requires that ﬁre systems be in accordance with NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. In Canada, CSA Z276-15 (NFPA 59A equivalent) does the same. In Europe, some of the EN 54 (Fire Detection & Alarm Systems) series of standards are harmonized under the Construction Products Regulation, which covers the essential health and safety requirements for buildings. Other regions may have their own codes and regulations that must be followed to be in compliance. 800-765-3473 White Paper Page 5 Below are some codes and standards that may be applicable to the design of a ﬁre and gas system, or are used in the certiﬁcation of gas or ﬂame detectors. Systems level standards: • EN/IEC 60079-29-1,2 series for Gas Detectors/Controllers • IEC61508 Safety Instrumented Systems • U.S. — NFPA 72 • Europe — EN 54-2 Gas performance standards: • U.S. — FM 6310 and FM 6324 • Europe/International — EN/IEC 60079-29 -1,2 Flame performance standards: • U.S. — FM 3260 As mentioned above, codes and standards are country speciﬁc. It is the designer’s responsibility to ensure that selected ﬁre and gas systems and detectors are suitably approved for the jurisdiction in which they are to be used. Given the complexity of standards and variations in their interpretation, LNG plant managers and engineers typically consult experts in the ﬁeld to help them through ﬁre and gas detection and suppression system design, implementation and management. Det-Tronics provides site analysis, 3D mapping and all the detection technologies and controls needed for complete ﬂame and gas detection systems in LNG processing, ofﬂoading and transportation applications. For a complete explanation of the certiﬁcation and functional safety approval process, refer to the Det-Tronics white paper titled, “Why Functional Safety Product Certiﬁers Must Meet Highest Level of Accreditation.” • Europe — EN 54-10 DETECTOR TYPES AND CONTROLLERS USED IN LNG APPLICATIONS Multispectrum infrared (MSIR) ﬂame detectors Multispectrum IR ﬂame detectors are often preferred in LNG environments since background IR noise is quite common, and this interference tends to desensitize single-spectrum detectors that are set to detect one speciﬁc wavelength somewhere between one and ﬁve microns. MSIR detectors use multiple-IR sensors, each set to detect a different wavelength, along with processing algorithms that can differentiate ﬂames from background IR radiation. MSIR detectors vary widely with respect to the sensitivity range and FOV they provide. For example, adequately covering a particular hazard zone using detectors with a range of 50 feet requires six times as many detectors as covering the same zone using detectors with a range of 200 feet. Fixed-point toxic gas detectors Fixed-point toxic gas detectors detect toxic gases using electrochemical or NTMOS technology. They measure the concentration at the point where the detector is located and give readings as parts per million (PPM). Toxic gas detectors are placed anywhere there is a potential for a H2S leak hazard. Fixed-point combustible gas detectors Fixed-point combustible gas detectors detect combustible gases using catalytic or infrared technology. They measure the concentration at the point where the detector is located and give readings as the percentage of the lower ﬂammable/explosive limit (LFL/LEL). Combustible gas detectors monitor for potential ﬂammable gas leak conditions. www.det-tronics.com Line-of-sight (LOS) gas detectors Line-of-sight gas detectors continuously monitor combustible gas levels between two points at ranges of up to 120 meters. Lineof-sight detectors are often deployed in and around open areas and harsh environments that are typical of an industrial site. This technology is perfect for perimeter monitoring for gas clouds, and it augments point detectors for optimal coverage in large open areas. Acoustic gas leak detectors Acoustic detectors are non-contact gas leak detectors that recognize unique acoustic “ﬁngerprints,” and are ideal for areas where there is risk for pressurized gas leaks. These detectors are suitable for harsh outdoor applications, unmanned operations and extreme temperatures. They are unaffected by fog, rain, and wind. The ideal acoustic detector accurately identiﬁes the sound of a gas leak while ignoring other nuisance environmental sounds. Certiﬁed systems for detection and suppression Controllers for functional safety systems provide conﬁgurable and ﬂexible operation for ﬂame and/or gas detection, alarm signaling, notiﬁcation, extinguishing agent release and/or deluge operation. It is important that the control platform is certiﬁed to all applicable standards by a qualiﬁed certifying group(s). To increase the probability of detection of a hydrocarbon gas leak, multiple gas detector technologies should be used. (See Figure 5.) 800-765-3473 White Paper Page 6 LINE-OF-SIGHT GAS DETECTION ACOUSTIC LEAK DETECTION POINT GAS DETECTION Figure 5: Employing different gas detection technologies can increase coverage and reduce risk in high-hazard environments such as LNG processing facilities. A ﬁnal word Producing, storing and transporting LNG is a multifaceted process with numerous volatile operations and hazards. Designing a comprehensive and effective ﬁre and gas detection and mitigation system to protect an LNG plant is equally complex, requiring thorough analysis and planning. Requirements have to be carefully assessed, sites have to be surveyed and mapped out, and appropriate devices have to be placed, tested and integrated into the detection and suppression network. The system and its components must adhere to the relevant local standards, and be approved by the local accredited certifying organizations such as FM Approvals. Implementing such a system is a major undertaking, and is typically a team effort involving the owners and managers of the facility, third-party consultants, and device manufacturer experts such as Det-Tronics. About Det-Tronics Det-Tronics is the global leader in ﬁre and gas safety systems, providing premium ﬂame and gas detection and hazard-mitigation systems for high-risk processes and industrial operations. The company designs, builds, tests and commissions a complete line of SIL 2 Capable, globally certiﬁed ﬂame, gas and smoke safety products, including the X3301 Multispectrum Infrared Flame Detector and the Eagle Quantum Premier® (EQP) Fire and Gas Safety Controller. 74-1009-1.0 Corporate Ofﬁce 6901 West 110th Street Minneapolis, MN 55438 USA www.det-tronics.com © 2016 Detector Electronics Corporation. All rights reserved. Phone: 952.946.6491 Toll-free: 800.765.3473 Fax: 952.829.8750 det-tronics@det-tronics.com