Battery Storage | Portable & Fixed Gas Detection Monitors from Crowcon
Posted on 19 August 2022
Battery Storage
Portable & Fixed Gas Detection Monitors from Crowcon
Introduction
The Paris Agreement on climate change holds nations accountable for reducing their greenhouse emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, thus driving them to invest and use renewable energies, such as solar and wind.
However, the sun doesn’t always shine and it’s not always windy – or it might be very sunny or windy, leading to over-supply of the grid. To ensure that renewables are used for maximum benefit, any excess energy they produce (i.e., that isn’t needed for the grid at that time) is stored in local storage facilities, which take the form of large batteries.
These release energy later – when the grid requires more power, or when there is less sun or wind, such as overcast nights or calmer, duller days. However, these batteries can only release energy for a few (between 1 and 12) hours, so their use is limited to short-term, energy-on-demand requirements.
Batteries are effective at reducing power outages since they can also store excess traditional grid energy. The energy stored within batteries can be released whenever a large volume of power is needed, such as during a power failure at a data centre to prevent data being lost, or as a back-up power supply to a hospital or military application to ensure the continuity of vital services. Large scale batteries can also be used to plug short-term gaps in demand from the grid.
These battery compositions can also be used in smaller sizes to power electric cars and may be further scaled down to power commercial products, such as phones, tablets, laptops, speakers and – of course – personal gas detectors.
Applications
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| Battery Storage |
Transportation | Welding |
Battery technologies can be segregated into four main categories:
Chemical – e.g. ammonia, hydrogen, methanol and synthetic fuel
Electrochemical – lead acid, lithium ion, Na-Cd, Na-ion
Electrical – supercapacitors, superconductive magnetic storage
Mechanical – compressed air, pumped hydro, gravity
Portable Gas Detectors
For Battery & other Power storage
The range of portable gas detectors and portable monitors for personal and temporary gas monitoring from Crowcon, consists of a wide range of single and multi gas products.
This range of portable gas detectors are used to protect staff and personnel in many industries (including battery storage) around the world and are specified to ensure that each product is fit for purpose.
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The Gasman personal monitor manufactured by Crowcon is a compact and fully ruggedised single gas detector for the toughest of industrial environments – the gas detector is compact and lightweight design for industrial gas detection in battery storage, oil and gas, chemical plants (with exotic gases), steel works (special CO sensor), hospitality (CO2), renewable energy (hydrogen) and waste and water works. More about Crowcon Gasman |
| Gas-Pro portable gas detector is designed and manufactured by Crowcon for confined space entry monitoring and can detect up to 5 gases. The Crowcon Gas-Pro offers a compact and rugged solution for works and fleet managers entering confined spaces. More about Crowcon Gas-Pro |  |
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Crowcon T4x is a new and improved portable multi gas monitor you can take almost anywhere. Now with added industry leading sensor technologies to improve worker safety and cost you less over time. Exclusively with long-life O2 and MPS™ sensor technologies.
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| The Crowcon Tetra 3 portable gas detector is a compact, robust and simple to use multigas monitor. The Crowcon Tetra 3 mainly detects the common four gases (carbon monoxide, methane, oxygen and hydrogen sulphide), but also an expanded range: ammonia, ozone, sulphur dioxide, H2 filtered CO (for steel plants) and IR carbon dioxide (for safe area use only) – this portable gas detector is specified in harsh environmental conditions. More about Crowcon Tetra 3 |  |
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The T4 is a portable gas detector manufactured by Crowcon which provides a personal gas detection solution against four of the most common gas hazards – carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, flammable gases and oxygen depletion. The T4 also now has improved detection of pentane, hexane and other long chain hydrocarbon. This portable gas detector offers compliance, robustness and a low total cost of ownership. More about Crowcon T4 |
Portable gas detectors are typically smaller, handheld devices that provide gas detection in smaller locations and are often used in confined spaces or working areas – mobile, transferable and transportable. Crowcon Gas-Pro portable gas detector is designed for confined space entry monitoring and can detect up to 5 gases. The Crowcon Gas-Pro offers a compact and rugged solution for works and fleet managers entering confined spaces.
fixed Gas Detectors
For Battery & other Power storage
Fixed gas detectors manufactured by Crowcon have been proven in many harsh environments around the world and are used in industries such as offshore, oil and gas, petrochemical as well as steel mills and chemical plants.
The range of fixed gas detectors from Crowcon are suitable for detecting single and multi gases and can be configured to suit specific requirements – including hazardous area workplaces according to ATEX and IECEx Certification.
| Crowcon Xgard is a versatile range of fixed gas detectors which meet gas detection specifications for a wide range of applications and industries worldwide. The Crowcon Xgard can be found in research facilities, water treatment, power, oil and gas and manufacturing facilities. More about Crowcon Xgard |  |
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Xgard Bright is a versatile platform offering flammable and toxic gas detection and oxygen monitoring, while providing ease of operation and reduced installation costs. The Xgard Bright is now available with MPS (Molecular Property Spectometer™) technology. |
| The Crowcon XgardIQ is an intelligent and versatile fixed gas detector for the detection of seven different gases dependent upon product setup. Gases include CO, H2S, H2, HF, LPG, CH4 and O2. There is a non-intrusive calibration where functions are performed via the display and keypad, without the need for a hot-work permit or any special tools. More about Crowcon XgardIQ |  |
Crowcon gas detectors, both fixed and portable, provide life saving alerts and notice of the presence of potentially fatal gases in working areas. Typically, a fixed gas detector is used as a permanent gas monitoring solution installed in a specific location such as a process area of a control or a plant room.
Gas Hazards in Batteries and Other Power Storage Sector
Dangers
- Typical processes and associated gas detection issues
Li-ion battery fires
- A major concern arises when static electricity or a faulty charger has destroyed the battery’s protection circuit. Such damage can permanently fuse the solid-state switches into the ON position, without the user knowing. A battery with a faulty protection circuit may function normally, but it does not provide protection from short circuit
- At this point, a gas detection system can establish if there is a fault and may be used in a feedback loop to shut off power, seal the space and release an inert gas (such as nitrogen) into the area to prevent any fire or explosion
Leakage of toxic gases prior to thermal runaway
- Thermal runaway of lithium-metal and lithium-ion cells has caused numerous fires. Studies have found the fires to be fuelled by the flammable gases that are vented from the batteries during thermal runaway
- The electrolyte in a lithium-ion battery is flammable and generally contains lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) or other Li-salts containing fluorine. In the event of overheating, the electrolyte will evaporate and eventually be vented out from the battery cells. Researchers have found that commercial lithium-ion batteries can emit considerable amounts of hydrogen fluoride (HF) during a fire, and that emission rates vary for different types of battery and state of-charge (SOC) levels. Hydrogen fluoride can penetrate skin to affect deep skin tissue and even bone and blood. Even with minimal exposure, pain and symptoms may not present for several hours, by which time damage is extreme
Hydrogen and explosion risk
- With hydrogen fuel cells gaining popularity as alternatives to fossil fuel, it is important to be aware of the dangers of hydrogen. Like all fuels, hydrogen is highly flammable and if it leaks there is real risk of fire
- Traditional lead acid batteries produce hydrogen when they are being charged. These batteries are normally charged together, sometimes in the same room or area, which can generate an explosion risk, especially if the room is not properly ventilated
- Most hydrogen applications cannot use odorants for safety, as hydrogen disperses faster than odorants do. There are applicable safety standards for hydrogen fuelling stations, whereby appropriate protective gear is required for all workers. This includes personal detectors, capable of detecting ppm level hydrogen as well as %LEL level. The default alarm levels are set at 20% and 40% LEL which is 4% volume, but some applications may wish to have a custom PPM range and alarm levels to pick up hydrogen accumulations.
