Electricity + Control

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Collaboration results in ‘oil and gas’ hazardous area certification
Rockwell Automation and local electro-mechanical equipment
solutions provider ACTOM Electrical Machines have been awarded
a hazardous area certification for the oil and gas industry ‘by EX-
PLOLABS. The Exn certification was awarded subsequent to the
testing and assessment of the ACTOM MS4 452-4 non-sparking
Ex nA IIA and IIBT3 motor and Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 7000 Me-
diumVoltage ac Drive combination(s) for compliance to Electrical
apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres – General Requirements
(SANS 60079-0: 2012 Ed 5) and Equipment protection by type of
protection ‘n’ (SANS 60079-15: 2010 Ed 4).
As a subset of a larger project, fiveAllen-Bradley PowerFlex 7000
MediumVoltage acVariable Speed Drives by Rockwell Automation
and five ACTOM motors which will be used by Engen Petroleum’s
Greenfields project to control Flowserve’s 1 320 m³/h centrifugal
pumps, facilitating the movement of product from Engen’s Island
View facilities toTransnet’s NMPP Island ViewWest site . Rockwell
Automation’s PowerFlex 7000 are fitted with an 11 kV to 6,6 kV
integral transformer to power ACTOM’s 650 kW, 6 600 V, 4 pole
motor situated in the hazardous area.
TheVSD andmotor combination test was conducted to determine
the maximum surface temperature of the ACTOM Electrical Ma-
chines motor in accordance with SANS 60079-0: 2012 Ed 5 Clause
26.5.1.3 and Annex E, which included the monitoring of the motor
winding temperature; ambient temperature; DE & NDE bearing
temperatures; and motor supply voltage, current and rpm. The
combination test was conducted at the motor's maximum duty
point for eight continuous hours.
Enquiries: Henry Craukamp.Tel. 011 654 9700
or email
Prevent dangerous working conditions with
effective H2 detection
Numerous industries rely on hydrogen (H2) for operational processes.The gas has to
be closely-monitored, as any leakage can pose a serious danger to workers.
Owing to its light form, H2 molecules rise quickly in a room, and its vapours are
colourless, odourless, tasteless and highly-flammable. Failure to detect the gas can
result in an explosion or fire, while exposure can lead to suffocation and respiratory
ailments. H2 leakages can have cost implications, as long-term exposure can damage
equipment too.
MSAAfrica Fixed Gas and Flame detection product manager RobbieTaitz explains
that it is important to make sure that gas detection is available and that it is effective
enough tomaintain safety. “Combustible gas detection placed in potential H2 collection
areas can provide gas concentration information, enabling the user to take corrective
action before an explosive condition occurs.”
The USA-based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that a sensor
with an explosion-proof rating be installed in classified areas, where the volume of
space that exists from the ceiling is 18-inches (46 cm) or below.The sensor should be
connected to a transmitter or con-
troller which is either explosion-
proof, or is installed in a nearby
non-classified, general-purpose
area.
The transmitter or controller can
be configured to send a signal to
a building automation system, or
can be used as a stand-alone sys-
tem. The transmitter or controller
are guaranteed to communicate
the gas concentration to the end-
user’s internal network for notifica-
tion purposes.
Taitz asserts that new facilities
that use H2 should be designed
with adequate gas protection
measures, while older facilities
should be revisited to ensure that
hazards are minimised.
Enquiries: RobbieTaitz.
Tel. 011 610 2637 or email
New intrinsically safe
infrared thermometer
The Comtest Group , Fluke’s authorised Test
and Measurement distributor, has the newly
launched Fluke 568 Ex, intrinsically safe (IS)
infrared thermometer which meets intrinsi-
cally safe certifications from all major safety
agencies for Class 1 Div. 1 and Div. 2 or Zone
1 and 2 hazardous environments.
Ideal for use in environments such as petro-
leum, chemical, oil and gas or pharmaceutical
environments, the Fluke 568 Ex is one tool
that can be used anywhere, worldwide.
The unit measures between -40°C to 800°C
with ±1% accuracy. Measurements from fur-
ther away are accurate with a 50:1 distance-
to-spot ratio. The Fluke 568 Ex captures up
to 99 points of data and is versatile, with a
multiple language (user select) interface and
adjustable emissivity, built-in material table.
The Fluke 568 Ex is compatible with stand-
ard K-type mini-connector thermocouple
probe (KTC) and is shipped with a conductive
case for carrying into hazardous areas.
Enquiries:Tel. 010 595 1821 or
email
HAZARDOUS AREAS + SAFETY
Electricity+Control December ‘15 30