Falco PID Detector: Autonomous Gas Detection

2022-05-28 03:03:44 By : Ms. Tina Sun

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to browse this site you agree to our use of cookies. More info.

Established in 2017, ExRobotics was founded to commercially develop robotics technology for use in potentially explosive atmospheres typically found at oil and gas production and processing facilities.

These facilities are often found in remote locations within harsh environments; even on facilities that are normally unmanned, a human presence is usually still needed for regular inspection work.

Therefore, deploying Ex certified robots (ATEX and IECEx Zone1) can have a considerable positive impact on safety by minimizing worker field trips, which in turn significantly reduces operating costs.

The ExRobotics ExR-1 robot is fitted with cameras for visual inspection, microphones for sound monitoring and gas detectors for leak detection. It transmits an alarm to the control room when a leak is detected.

The ExR-1 autonomously navigates through terrain and installations with the capacity to find its way back to its docking station to recharge. This means that operators and inspectors can minimize their visits to remote and/or hazardous locations, significantly improving their work safety.

Our robots are used in the oil and gas industry mainly for first response, fugitive emission and preventative maintenance. The introduction of more stringent fugitive emission regulations and the subsequent opening up of new markets prompted the need for a fixed gas detection instrument that could be incorporated into our remotely operated ExR-1 robot.

Ian Peerless, Operations Director, ExRobotics

When configuring the robot in this way, it is used for both surveillance and as a first responder at potentially hazardous and/or remote sites. The operator is situated in a central control facility, driving each robot in turn by means of using its sensors as the eyes and ears of the operator.

When configuring the robot in this way, it is used for constant and auditable operations rounds at hazardous and/or remote sites. The robot is fitted with cameras for visual inspection and microphones for sound monitoring. It navigates itself automatically between and on inspection locations.

This configuration facilitates enhanced emission control as the robot is equipped with a range of leak-detectors for pre-entry safety rounds. The robot is fitted with cameras for visual inspection, microphones for sound monitoring and a variety of gas detectors for leak detection. It transmits an alarm to the control room if a leak is detected.

The ION Science Falco VOC monitor was recommended by a significant player in the oil industry who conducted extensive performance tests and trials at a large refinery where the Falco came out on top. When ExRobotics did testing of its own, we found the PID instrument to be robust and reliable.

Ian Peerless, Operations Director, ExRobotics

Image Credit: ION Science

Image Credit: ION Science

ION Science’s Falco demonstrates rapid response times and multiple state-of-the-art design features. The instrument’s ‘typhoon technology’ deters the formation of condensation on the sensor, making it perfect for use in high humidity and harsh weather conditions.

Easy to operate, Falco intrinsically safe sensor is externally located, which enables quick and easy servicing without the requirement for a hot work permit. The Falco PID introduces ION Science’s patented Fence Electrode Technology which practically eradicates the effects of airborne humidity and safeguards against contamination.

This innovative feature ensures complete reliability and accuracy in the field while limiting drift issues and prolonging run time. There are eight models in the Falco series offering detection ranges as low as 0 - 10 ppm with parts per billion (ppb) sensitivity or as high as 0 – 3000 ppm.

The Falco’s certified flame and explosion proof enclosure is certified to EX d IIC T4 II and the external sensor to EX ib IIC T4 Gb II.

A 4 – 20 mA analog output enables the easy integration of Falco into a DCS control system to provide warning or control of high VOC levels in the working environment. Two relay outputs mean that it can be remotely connected, plus RS485 output with Modbus protocol included as standard facilitates network connectivity.

Ian Peerless, Operations Director at ExRobotics, says, “So far, feedback from customers using the ExR-1 gas detection robot with Falco PID has been very good. It has fulfilled the urgent need for a remotely operated VOC monitor in line with the tightening of fugitive emission regulations.”

The key advantages of the Falco PID are flexibility of communication channels, adequate power requirements and importantly, certification. ExRobotics supply the only Ex robot for this kind of application so it was vital the instrument was accredited for use in hazardous zones and atmospheres. Importantly, the Falco is also able to detect those VOCs commonly found in the oil industry and offers high sensitivity to a broad range of gases.

Ian Peerless, Operations Director, ExRobotics

“It is still early days for the ExR-1 gas detection robot as it is an emerging market and an entirely new concept. However, many oil majors currently have them on test making it highly likely we will purchase more ION Science’s Falco fixed PIDs going forward. We are also excited about the option of a FalcoTAC instrument as benzene monitoring is becoming a bigger and bigger requirement.”

“ExRobotics is already recommending the Falco to other oil companies. Our robots are used all over the world so end users can see just how good the instrument is. We are also optimistic that there is likely to be a wider use for the ExR-1 gas detection model across the chemical, mining and energy industries.”

“Our relationship with ION Science is very good and we are happy to work alongside them to explore future joint opportunities.”

The functionality of the Falco comes by way of an intuitive user interface with an OLED display and five magnetically activated LED switches – up, down, left, right and enter – which are back-lit to verify the correct button is being pressed.

For further convenience and ease of use, brightly colored red, amber and optional pulsing green status indicators are clearly displayed in sunlight, meaning checks can be performed from a distance of up to 20 meters.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Ion Science.

For more information on this source, please visit Ion Science.

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

Ion Science. (2021, July 29). Autonomous Gas Detection Using a Robot Mounted with the Falco PID Detector. AZoSensors. Retrieved on May 27, 2022 from https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2290.

Ion Science. "Autonomous Gas Detection Using a Robot Mounted with the Falco PID Detector". AZoSensors. 27 May 2022. <https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2290>.

Ion Science. "Autonomous Gas Detection Using a Robot Mounted with the Falco PID Detector". AZoSensors. https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2290. (accessed May 27, 2022).

Ion Science. 2021. Autonomous Gas Detection Using a Robot Mounted with the Falco PID Detector. AZoSensors, viewed 27 May 2022, https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2290.

Do you have a question you'd like to ask regarding this article?

We speak with Okan Atalar about new research that could one day allow simple cameras, such as those on smartphones, to see the world in 3D.

AZoSensors speaks with Niraj K. Jha from the Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty at Princeton University. This interview explores the research proposing a framework called CovidDeep. CovidDeep combines efficient deep neural networks with commercially available wearable medical sensors for pe

This International Women's Day, we speak with Dr. NAko Nakatsuka, a Senior Scientist at ETH Zurich's Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

The MCT469-SF Washdown is a compatible on-line NIR Sensor designed for continuous moisture and constituent measurement. It is ideal for washdown conditions in the food industry.

The MX 256 is a new control unit, completely digital, aimed at making the detection and measurement of gases easier. It can also be used for the processing of any digital signal from digital sensors (OLCT 10N types), and more.

Columbia Models SI-702AI and SI-702AIHP are biaxial force balance inclinometers designed with an output circuit configuration made for use in 4–20 mA data transmission systems.

AZoSensors.com - An AZoNetwork Site

Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2022