Combustible Gases

Gas Name: 
Combustible Gases

Product Uses, Sources & Applications

  • Gas sensors and gas detection for fuel used in vehicles, heating units, and industrial processes (methane, propane, hydrogen, gasoline, etc.)
  • A byproduct of processes involving the breakdown of organic matter (waste water treatmentpulp & paper, etc.)
  • As a naturally occurring compound within the earth’s crust (methane).  It is extremely hazardous and gas detection and sensors can be used in underground mining applications, especially in, but not limited to coal facilities, as it may be present in almost any mining application
  • In oil and gas drilling, production and transportation
  • Wherever multiple batteries are being charged  (underground telephone switching systems, large UPS, warehouses with electric forklifts, golf cart charging areas, etc.), hydrogen is produced

Hazards

Toxicity
Some combustible gases such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, etc., are both highly toxic and combustible. Strategies for monitoring for such gases should be determined on an application by application basis
Flammability
Flammability is measured in Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and Upper Explosive Limit (UEL). The LEL represents the minimum amount of gas (by volume in air) which is required to promote combustion. See chart below:

Combustible Gas LEL (%Vol of Gas in Air) Relative Density (Air = 1)
Acetone 2.50 2.0
Acetylene 2.50 0.9
Ammonia 15.00 0.6
Butane 1.90 2.0
Carbon Monoxide 12.50 1.0
Ethyl Acetate 2.00 3.0
Ethyl Alcohol 3.30 1.6
Gasoline 1.40 3-4
Heptane 1.05 3.5
Hexane 1.10 3.0
Hydrogen 4.00 0.1
Isopropyl Alcohol 2.00 2.1
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) 1.40 2.5
Methane 5.00 0.6
Methyl Alcohol 6.00 1.1
Octane 1.00 3.9
Pentane 1.50 2.5
Propane 2.10 1.6
Toluene 1.10 3.1

Recommendations

Sensor Type:
Catalytic Pellistor or Infrared
Standard Range:
0-100% LEL
Standard Trip Points:
20% LEL, 40% LEL
Recommended Sensor Mounting Height:
Determined by relative density of gas

How can Armstrong Monitoring help you?

Contact Us
Armstrong Monitoring
215 Colonnade Road South
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K2E 7K3
Toll Free: 
1 800 465 5777
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