Eye on the process

BP has implemented a range of new sensors to improve leak detection to maintain regulatory compliance and enhance safety at its chemical production centre in Geel, Belgium.

Based on Smart Wireless technology from Emerson Process Management, the solution offers a reliable method for BP to gather information from hydrocarbon sensors that continuously monitor storage tanks, valves and pipelines throughout the plant, says Bob Karschnia, vice president of wireless at Emerson Process Management.

Leak detection on large sites can be both difficult and expensive, he says.

BP operators were making twice-daily inspection rounds using portable leak detectors, but new, stricter government regulations demanded continuous monitoring.

A traditional online monitoring solution would have required extensive cabling, together with the associated I/O, signal converters, and installation costs.

The wireless system installed at Geel solved these problems by integrating sensors that detect liquid hydrocarbons with Emerson’s Smart Wireless technology to enable cost-effective liquid hydrocarbon leak detection, even from remote locations within the site, says Karschnia.

The leak detection system uses Emerson’s Rosemount 702 Wireless Discrete Transmitters in combination with Pentair (formerly Tyco) Fast Fuel Sensors and TraceTek Sensor cables.

When one of the sensors detects xylene or benzene, the associated Rosemount 702 wirelessly transmits an alarm signal to a Smart Wireless Gateway that relays it to the control room, where operators monitor and record the status for accurate incident reporting and time stamping in the host control system.

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