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The LNG industry has always had an outstanding safety
record, which is reflected in the industry’s enviable planning
and procedures, such as risk mitigation in close coordination
with local associations. Firstly, the industry has technically
and operationally evolved to ensure safe and secure
operations. This includes everything from the engineering
that underlines LNG facilities, to operational procedures, to
personnel, or technical competency. Secondly, the physical
and chemical properties of LNG are such that risks and
hazards are understood and incorporated into operations.
Strict standards, codes and regulations have led to the LNG
industry’s exemplary safety record.
Reduce fugitive emissions
Reliable pressure relief and detection is critical
in countless areas throughout LNG facilities.
A foremost concern within the LNG field
is the fugitive emissions and liquid
spills that evaporate quickly when
exposed to atmospheric pressure.
Fugitive emission is defined
by the leakage of gases,
which may take place at
LNG plants, caused by
loose valves or cracking
pipes, which could pose
a fire/explosion hazard.
Historically, traditional
pressure detection
technologies have not
been suited to LNG
process capabilities,
subject to spurious alarms
due to
extreme
operating conditions. By using modern detection systems,
such as an Exd-approved configuration system, companies
can receive an instantaneous notification of disc burst by
wiring such a system to their control system. Organisations
can benefit from the shutdown of a process in the event
of disc burst to reduce any potential damage or risk of
dangerous gas leakage.
Advanced solutions without
stretching budgets
In response to persistent market demand
for advanced Exd technology,
upgrading traditional rupture
disc detection to Exd standard
could initially prove expensive
and will often have to be carried
out by the customer, rather than
being offered by the rupture disc
manufacturer as a readymade solution.
Increased rupture disc reliability and
burst detection needs are increasingly
in demand for high integrity hazardous
applications. Customers are now seeking
increasingly advanced systems to provide this
detection without stretching budgets. In line with
recent development within high integrity industries
and in aid of responding rapidly to customer demand,
Elfab Ltd recognised that by developing its existing
detection system further and supplying it with an XD
enclosure (Flo-Tel XD™), installation could be improved
and costs could be reduced. LNG plants have inspired this
innovation to introduce an Exd-approved burst detection
system. In this particular environment, the risk of leakage
and subsequent explosion is present in every operational
step of LNG products, from compression and odorisation to
storage and distribution.
Conclusion
An Exd-rated enclosure makes the rupture disc detection
system less susceptible to the environment, ensuring
continuous reliable operation over the longer-term periods.
Elfab has introduced an Exd-approved non-invasive fail
safe detection system to the market, providing a solution
to meet the demanding needs of the LNG sector in harsh
operating environments. It includes an Exd junction box,
considerably reducing installation costs by removing the
need for intrinsically safe barriers and interfacing directly
with the remote terminal unit. Exd detection can be
incorporated with the latest wireless solutions to further
reduce costs. While it is not mandatory for LNG sites to
invest in this latest technology, such an investment can
improve plant efficiency without stretching budgets, a key
requirement for most customers.
Figure 3.
Advanced
technological rupture
disc performance
relieving dangerous
build-up of pressure
throughout the
LNG production
process.
Figure 4.
Industry first product,
Exd-approved fail-safe detection system
designed for the demanding needs of
the LNG sector.
