Power Generation
Exploring power generation fire risks.
Exploring power generation fire risks.
Power plants, wind turbines and hydrogen fuel cells are all power generation applications that present immense fire risks. Detection systems must be in place to ensure fires cannot spread and explosions do not occur.
Power plants present endless fire and explosion risks. Gas detection requirements for power generation can vary widely based on the fuel source, which may be coal, oil, natural gas, or nuclear. However, for every fuel source, flame and gas detection is essential to prevent disastrous fires or explosions.
Power plants that supply electrical energy either from coal, gas, or atomic energy, pose major explosion and fire risks within several specific areas in the plant:
Hydrogen gas is found in two main areas of the power plant:
A transformer station uses a variety of equipment and systems that each present their own fire risks. Fires may involve DC valves, outdoor or indoor oil-insulated equipment, oil-insulated cables, hydrogen cooled synchronous condensers, or PCB insulation.
The oil used in oil-insulated equipment may ignite due to electrical malfunction. Internal arcing may occur within the oil due to infiltration of water, failure of core insulation, exterior fault currents, or tap-changer failures.
Flame detection and suppression systems must detect flames rapidly to prevent a widespread fire within the transformer station. This is crucial, as fires in transformer stations have a severe impact on power supply to customers and affects the utility company’s assets and revenue. The fires are also hazardous to personnel and the general public.
Fuel cells are usually powered by the highly flammable and abundant gas, hydrogen. Hydrogen is lighter than air and very diffusive, allowing it to diffuse quickly when it escapes into the air. However, if the hydrogen accumulates in a confined space, without sufficient ventilation, such as under a ceiling, it may ignite or cause explosions.
Hydrogen fires present specific risks, as they are almost invisible to the naked eye during daylight hours. If a worker believes that there is a hydrogen leak, it should always be presumed that a flame is present. In addition, they have low radiant heat, so the fire may not be detected until a person is actually close to or inside the fire itself. Without a detection system in place, a hydrogen fire could go entirely undetected.
Using flame detection for all stages of fuel cell production, transport, and use, will prevent fires from occurring.
Wind turbines present a fire risk due to lightning strikes and electrical malfunctions. As the turbine’s nacelle contains up to 200 gallons of flammable hydraulic fluid and lubricants, and the nacelle itself is made from flammable resin and glass fiber, the risk of ignition is high. This risk is increased by the presence of internal insulation that may be contaminated by oil deposits.
Wind turbine fires can occur due to lightning strikes, which are more common due to the turbine’s height, as well as its exposed, high-altitude location.
Electrical equipment, such as capacitors, transformers, generators, electrical controls, and transmission equipment have the potential to catch fire, as do Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems. Loose electrical connections or overloaded circuits are also a cause for concern. Braking systems may overheat, with hot fragments of brake material becoming combined with expelled hydraulic fluid from hydraulic hoses. Hydraulic pumps and connections can also fail.
As a leader in Flame and Gas detection we are dedicated to protecting personnel, property and the environment.
