System designed to detect flammable hydrogen
09 April 2010
Hazard detection specialist Groveley Detection has supplied a combined gas, flame and smoke detection system to Centrica’s Kings Lynn power station, designed to detect flammable hydrogen gas build-up in the battery rooms at the site. The systems were installed by John Gooch Electrical Services and commissioned by Groveley engineers.
Kings Lynn gas fired power station is one of the most efficient in the UK
The Dorset-based company designed a central gas detection system, using it’s own catalytic hydrogen detectors mounted at roof level – as hydrogen is much lighter than air – plus optical smoke detectors coupled with Simtronics infra red/ultra violet flame detectors.
Nigel Lock from Groveley said: “It was unusual to supply a combined system to an onshore installation; it resembled a smaller-scale version of the multi-detection systems we supply to offshore installations.
“To accurately detect burning hydrogen gas, you cannot simply use infra red detectors alone, because when hydrogen ignites, it burns with a clear flame which cannot be seen. But the Simtronics combined infra red/ultra violet flame detectors will detect an invisible instantly and reliably.”
The systems were installed by John Gooch Electrical Services and commissioned by Groveley engineers. Centrica’s Kings Lynn power station, which one of the most efficient gas power stations in the UK. has an output of 325MW and employs around 40 people. It began commercial operation in 1997 and was acquired by Centrica in 2001. It has one of the most efficient gas turbines within the Centrica Energy fleet and operates at baseload during the day and turning down to minimum output during the night.
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