Laser-based Open Path Gas Detection - A Cost Effective Way to Improve Safety

The Senscient ELDS laser-based open path gas detector by MSA is capable of detecting a wide range of flammable (methane, ethylene, sour gas) or toxic gases (ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen sulfide) for a broad range of industrial, oil and gas production and petrochemical processing applications. Its patented technology eliminates false alarms and enables faster, more reliable detection of hazardous gases, thereby improving worksite safety while reducing operational costs.

The Senscient ELDS gas detector uses a tuneable laser to produce a unique Harmonic Fingerprint™ specific to the target gas, making it immune to cross-interferent gases that cause false alarms. Senscient ELDS devices are gas-specific and operate at a wavelength less prone to water vapour interference, giving greater reliability and performance in challenging environments, such as fog, rain and snow. SimuGas™ automated integrity checks eliminates the need for gas checks. The system does not require consumable sensing elements or calibrations, significantly reducing operation costs for time and materials spent on maintenance.

Open path gas detectors are used to monitor for fugitive emissions, protect personnel and warn of plant failures. These devices are typically located to provide a detection barrier around the perimeter of a plant, process or storage area; or positioned in close proximity to specific items of plant, that pose a real risk of gas escape: e.g. pump sets, pressure reducers, valves and pipe flanges.

The Senscient ELDS gas detector has a T90 response time within three seconds. Depending on its configuration, it can detect gas over a path length of 60m, 120m or 200m. Its electronics are contained within an explosion-proof stainless steel housing. It has CSA, UL, ATEX, IECEx, EAC and Inmetro approvals, and is suitable for use in SIL 2 systems.