Blogs listed by category: Gases

What is Photo-ionisation Detection (PID) Technology? 

Photo-ionisation detection (PID) technology is generally considered the technology of choice for monitoring exposure to toxic levels of VOCs. The sensors include a lamp as a source of high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light. The lamp encases a noble gas, most commonly krypton, and electrodes. The UV light’s energy excites the neutrally charged VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) molecules, by removing an electron. 

The amount of energy needed to remove an electron from a VOC molecule is called the ionization potential (IP). The larger the molecule, or the more double or triple bonds the molecule contains, the lower the IP. Thus, in general, the larger or more fragile the molecule, the easier it is to detect.  

This technology does not require use of a sinter, which might prevent the gas reaching the sensor. It is also not susceptible to poisoning by chemicals in cleaning products, or silicone, although some cleaning agents containing large fragile molecules can cause positive readings. 

Benefits of PID Technology  

A high number of solvent species are sensed by this technology. Books have been written detailing the PID cross calibration responses to more than 750 solvent and gas types at ppm concentrations. It does not need air to function, it does not suffer from poisons and gives minor variation for moderate changes in temperature. 

PID is extremely sensitive and will respond to many different VOCs. The magnitude of the response is directly proportional to the concentration of the gas. However, 50ppm of one gas will give a different reading to 50ppm of a different gas. To cope with this, detectors are usually calibrated to isobutylene and then a correction factor is employed to get accurate readings for a target gas. Each gas has a different correction factor. Therefore, the gas must be known for the right correction factor to be applied. 

Consequently, pellistor sensors and photo-ionization detectors can be considered complementary technologies for many applications. Pellistors are excellent at monitoring for methane, propane, and other common combustible gases at %LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) levels. On the other hand, PID detects large VOC and hydrocarbon molecules that may be virtually undetectable by pellistor sensors, certainly in the parts-per-million range required to alert to toxic levels. Thus, the best approach in many environments is a multi-sensor instrument equipped with both technologies. 

PID sensor technology is very versatile and can be used, for example, for clearance measurements during shutdowns in the chemical and petrochemical industries, monitoring operations in shafts and enclosed spaces, detecting leaks and many other applications. 

Factors that affect PID Technology and their problems

Lack of voltage to the sensor affects the function of a PID sensor, also extremely high humidity, or particle densities. Also, the lamps last 2 years, but they will not last for 3 so the output must be monitored to check it has not gone into a fault condition. 

The problems with this sensor are limited to age related issues.  

  • Lamps age, voltage stacks work less well when they get dusty 
  • Some common gas types have zero response, e.g., methane and propane. The risk assessment needs to show the gas types expected have a response. If this information is not known for a gas type, then our website or customer support personnel can help. 
  • PID sensors are the highest cost sensors we use in our products. They are good, but with the quality comes the cost. 

How do I know when the technology is failing? 

The results drop from the pedestal value sensed by out PID bearing products, causing our instrumentation to go into fault. 

Products 

Our portable and fixed products are fitted with PID sensors that will detect large VOC and hydrocarbon molecules that may be virtually undetectable by pellistor sensors, certainly in the parts-per-million range required to alert to toxic levels.  

To explore more, visit our technical page for more information.

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Our Partnership with Hitma 

Background 

Originally founded by the French company Pont-à-Mousson, Hitma is an independent subsidiary of the Swedish holding Indutrade a group of more than 150 companies in 25 countries, offering high-quality international technology and industrial products. Hitma supply technical components and systems including gas detection products to industrial sectors such as oil and gas, pharmaceutical and food industries. In addition, to the supply they also have specialised service teams, who service both on-shore and off-shore. Although Hitma started through the sale of sewerage and manhole covers, moving to other products like instrumentation, filtration products and gas detection after the second World War, over these 96 years of trading, the Hitma department ‘Gasdetectie’ now specialise in detection of flammable and toxic gas. Providing their customers with the high-quality equipment and expert technical advice is at the front of the organisation. 

Views on Gas Detection 

With more responsibilities being given to employers and larger companies to ensure workers are kept as safe as possible in the workplace, ensuring the correct equipment is provided and maintained is at the forefront of Health and Safety Officers responsibilities. Hitma view gas detection as equipment that is work safe in order to prevent hazards for those working and surrounding hazardous areas. Hitma work by providing their customers with the knowledge, expertise and advise in order to keep them safe when using gas detection products. 

Working with Crowcon  

Through the combination of knowledge, expertise and advise, our partnership has allowed for the understanding of gas detection and its importance in certain industries, to ensure their customers to get the correct equipment for their industry. Now the introduction of our fixed detectors as of 2020, will allow Hitma to reach new markets and sectors. “Crowcon are a trusted brand who have filled the gap in our business in a variety of sectors as well as enhancing our knowledge, expertise and advise for current and future customers.”  

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Connected safety – More than Smart PPE 

Until quite recently, gas detection was widely considered to be ‘just another aspect of personal protection equipment (PPE)’, with gas detectors being fairly basic pieces of kit that detected gas hazards and nothing more. That attitude has been reinforced over years by the fact that gas detectors can be quite cumbersome things; they need bump testing and regular maintenance in order to work, which makes them something of a weak link in an increasingly digitalised, remotely-monitored, connected world. But is that attitude still fair? 

Well, no. Because just as just as every device and system − from washing machines and fridges to supply chains and enterprise equipment management – has joined the internet of things (IoT), so has gas detection. Now, just as your wearable fitness tracker can monitor your health status, and the impact of variables in your environment (exercise, food, temperature, sleep etc.), your gas monitor can connect to the web and feed data into software to generate insights that go far beyond, ‘have I been exposed to a gas hazard today?’ Becoming part of the IoT is transforming gas detection; and that transformation has only just begun. 

Where are we now with connected safety in gas detection? 

As things stand, gas detectors are increasingly connected to cloud-based software. This is often provided on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) basis by the device manufacturer, either on their own infrastructure or via a third party cloud provider. It may take the form of an app that is accessed through a web browser. The software interacts with each gas monitor in a fleet, recognising each one individually and logging data throughout each device’s operation.  

Of course, the primary purpose of gas detectors remains the safety and protection of personnel, but IoT connectivity offers many additional benefits. The scope of each software package may vary according to the provider, but good quality gas detection SaaS should provide: 

  • Remote monitoring of multiple aspects of the device (e.g., has the alarm sounded, and if so, why? When is the device due for calibration? Does it have any faults?)  
  • The ability to connect the device to the wearer (for example through RFID tags in ID badges) so that any failure to comply with proper use that is detected through the software can then be associated with a specific user. In the same way, consistent correct use is also registered. This makes it  much easier to tackle problems with non-compliance and to prove compliance at audit. 
  • The use of software to automatically upload data to the cloud also eliminates the risk of human error and greatly reduces the need for (often tedious and time-consuming) manual documentation. 
  • Above all, adding gas detectors to the IoT in this way generates lots of useful data and, importantly, presents that data in ways that make it genuinely useful. Some applications can also format and populate reports, invoices and other documentation, which can then be accessed from any mobile device with an internet connection, regardless of location.  

What can SaaS/IoT connectivity do for my fleet? 

The short answer is ‘lots’. Some examples are: 

  • Cloud software and monitoring can make it easier to locate workers and devices. This keeps workers safe and reduces device loss or theft. 
  • In today’s digital environment, the data generated by SaaS services is like gold dust: users can see at a glance which devices need to be calibrated or serviced, where they are and who has them. This information can be combined with schedules to plan service and maintenance in ways that reduce downtime and increase productivity. 
  • In a similar way, data insights can be used to identify hazardous areas (for example, repeated alarms may signal a leak) which can then be tackled proactively. 

Of course, gas detection is just at the beginning of its IoT journey: the future may hold anything from smaller wearable devices to on-site IoT drones and more. But even at this early stage, the benefits of using cloud software are clear. Click here to read more about Crowcon’s own solution.

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Hydrogen Electrolysis

At present the most commercially developed technology available to produce hydrogen is from electrolysis. Electrolysis is an optimistic course of action for carbon-free hydrogen production from renewable and nuclear resources. Water electrolysis is the decomposition of water (H2O) into its basic components, hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2), through passing electric current. Water is a complete source for producing hydrogen and the only by-product released during process is oxygen. This process uses electrical energy that can then be stored as a chemical energy in the form of hydrogen.

What is the Process?

To produce Hydrogen, Electrolysis converts electrical energy into chemical energy by storing electrons in stable chemical bonds. Like fuel cells, electrolysers are composed of an anode and a cathode separated by an aqueous electrolyte according to the type of electrolyte material involved and the ionic species it conducts. The electrolyte is an obligatory part as pure water does not have the ability to carry enough charge as it lacks ions. At the anode, water is oxidised into oxygen gas and hydrogen ions. While the cathode, water is reduced to hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions. At present there are three leading electrolysis technologies.

Alkaline Electrolysers (AEL)

This technology has been used on an industrial scale for over 100 years. Alkaline electrolysers operate via transport of hydroxide ions (OH-) through the electrolyte from the cathode to the anode with hydrogen being generated on the cathode side. Operating at 100°–150°C, Electrolysers use a liquid alkaline solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the electrolyte. In this process the anode and cathode are separated using a diaphragm that prevents remixing. At the cathode, water is split to form H2 and releases hydroxide anions that pass through the diaphragm to recombine at the anode where oxygen is produced. As this is a well-established technology it is relatively low in cost of production as well as it provides a long-time stability. However, it does have a crossover in gases possibly compromising its degree of purity and requires the use of a corrosive liquid electrolyte.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysers (PEM)

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane is the latest technology to be commercially used to produce hydrogen. In a PEM electrolyser, the electrolyte is a solid specialty plastic material. PEM electrolysers operate at 70°–90°C. In this the process the water reacts at the anode to form oxygen and positively charged hydrogen ions (protons). The electrons flow through an external circuit and the hydrogen ions selectively move across the PEM to the cathode. At the cathode, the hydrogen ions combine with electrons from the external circuit to form hydrogen gas. Compared to AEL there are several advantages: the product gas purity is high in a partial load operation, the system design is compact and has a rapid system response. However, component cost is high and durability is low.

Solid Oxide Electrolysers (SOE)

AEL and PEM electrolysers are known as Low-Temperature Electrolysers (LTE). However, Solid oxide Electrolyser (SOE) is known as High-Temperature Electrolyser (HTE). This technology is still at development stage. In SOE, solid ceramic material is used as the electrolyte which conducts negatively charged oxygen ions (O2-) at elevated temperatures, generates hydrogen in a slightly different way. At a temperature about 700°–800°C steam at the cathode combines with electrons from the external circuit to form hydrogen gas and negatively charged oxygen ions. The oxygen ions pass through the solid ceramic membrane and react at the anode to form oxygen gas and generate electrons for the external circuit. Advantages of this technology is that it combines high heat and power efficiency as well as it producing low emissions at a relatively low cost. Although, due to the high heat and power required, start-up time takes longer.

Why is Hydrogen being considered as an alternative fuel?

Hydrogen is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Hydrogen produced via electrolysis can contribute zero greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the source of the electricity used. This technology is being pursued to work with renewable (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal) and nuclear energy options to allow virtually zero greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions. Although, this type of production will require the cost to be decreased significantly to be competitive with more mature carbon-based pathways such as natural gas reforming. There is potential for synergy with renewable energy power generation. Hydrogen fuel and electric power generation could be distributed and sited at wind farms, thereby allowing flexibility to shift production to best match resource availability with system operational needs and market factors.

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Our Partnership with Guardsman 

Background

Guardsman Ltd. are one of the leading suppliers of Personal Protective Equipment and Workwear in the UK, based centrally in Leicester with their Sales and Distribution Centre. Guardsman have been a part of Bunzl PLC, a global £9.2 billion FTSE 100 company, who specialise in the supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies and Contractors’ Site Equipment, for 9 years. Although Guardsman has been supplying safety equipment, workwear and PPE to major industrial customers and utilities for over 45 years. During this time, they have followed their simple philosophy “To provide the correct protection at a competitive price, through friendly and efficient staff with flexible supply arrangements.” throughout this time they have built a substantial portfolio of blue-chip clients across all sectors of industry, where they now supply to 27 countries across 5 continents. Guardsman’s customers are striving for excellence in their fields and expect to receive excellence from Guardsman as a supplier.  

Views on Gas Detection  

With the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 scheduled for amendment with the 1992 Regulations being extended to employers’ and employees’ duties in respect of PPE to a wider group of workers. These changes will mean that employers will now have duty to concern the provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work.  

With these scheduled changes leading to a shift in who is responsible for workplace PPE, Guardsman have in response to this begun developing conversations with existing relationships in gas detection to identify the pains their customers may have and to allow the easiest way to provide correct equipment.  

Working with Crowcon  

Through continuous communication Crowcon will allow Guardsman to extend the safety they provide. Our partnership has also allowed for the enhanced understanding of gas detection and its importance in certain industries, all of which allow for Guardsman to provide gas detection products within the industries they provide, such as manufacture and automotive. “Our partnership with Crowcon now offers a solution to our customers that we were unable to offer previously, thereby enhance our specialism in providing PPE to existing and future customers.”   

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Connected safety – Centralised Records Storage and Security for Compliance

Connected safety – and in particular the use of cloud applications to collate, present and archive data – is an important evolutionary step for gas detection, and one that is here to stay. The benefits it conveys, including greater safety, easier fleet and compliance management and automated, error-free data capture, are too important to overlook. However …

We live in an era where data is king, and most organisations are acutely aware of their duty to comply with data protection rules. Failure to do so can result in harsh financial and reputational punishment; consequently, some organisations are wary of centralising records in the cloud (and sometimes anywhere else) for fear of data breach via malware, hacking, DDoS attack or simple human error.

While this is understandable, it absolutely need not be a barrier to the use of transformative technologies like Crowcon Connect. All of the relevant risks are well managed and mitigated, and in fact the cloud is a far more secure (and customisable) environment than many people realise.

How does cloud data storage work?

In simple terms, when a Crowcon gas detector is connected via the internet to the Crowcon Connect software, the data passes directly from the detector to the cloud. It does not interface with any other software, applications or data: in that sense, the stream of data is entirely isolated. Exactly the same applies when the system is used the other way around, i.e. when a user accesses the cloud solution via a connected device.

When we say that gas detector data ends up in the cloud, this is to use ‘cloud’ as a bit of a catch-all term. So, let’s break it down. Many people understand the cloud to mean a hosted environment (i.e. the data sits on a server somewhere, where it interacts with the software). Many assume that ‘the cloud’ is effectively shorthand for ‘a server rack in a datacentre’ and that is often true. But because we know that customers vary in their hosting preferences and needs, the ‘cloud’ that Crowcon Connect exists within can be provided to clients in various forms.

The Crowcon Connect system is hosted and manged on the Microsoft Azure cloud instance hosted in Dublin, Ireland. This is an extremely secure set-up that exceeds the usual Microsoft standards (which are already very robust), and is accessed via an internet connection as we have seen. However, according to need it can also be formatted for use in the following ways:

  • API – the use of an API allows the user to draw upon the Crowcon Connect database in combination with existing databases: some organisations favour this because it allows them to continue using their current dashboards and report tools, but with fleet-wide detector information.
  • On-prem – this term is short for ‘on premises’ and it means just that. If required, Crowcon can create a local version of the portal, which means that all data remains on the organisation’s own in-house servers. Some users like this because it gives them absolute control over their data.
  • Own-cloud – it is also possible for Crowcon to create an implementation on an organisation’s own cloud, which ensures that all device data remains on their server, within their control.

How safe is it?

In all cases and formats, the use of connected safety in this way has been made extremely secure. Full details are given in our IT FAQs document, which you can read by clicking here.

What are the benefits?

The benefits of using a connected safety solution for gas detectors are numerous and potentially transformative. With gas detection that connects to cloud software you can enhance safety, productivity and compliance, and when the gas insights provided are integrated with wider business data, they can be used to make important and lasting improvements. Want to find out more? Click here to read more about Crowcon’s own cloud software solution.

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What is Biogas?

Biogas most commonly known as biomethane is a renewable fuel constructed through the breakdown of organic matter (such as animal manure, municipal rubbish/ waste, plant material, food waste or sewage) by bacteria in an oxygen-free environment through a process called anaerobic digestion. Biogas systems use anaerobic digestion to repurpose these organic materials, converting them into biogas, of which consists of both energy (gas), and valuable soil products (liquids and solids). It can be used for many different functions; these include vehicle fuel and for heating and electricity generation.  

What industries is Biogas used in?

Biogas can be produced through the combustion process to produce heat only. When burned, one cubic metre of biogas produces around 2.0/2.5 kWh of thermal energy, providing the nearby buildings with the heat generated. The unused heat is dismissed, and unless it is heated and converted into hot water through a local pipe network into local houses, it is wasted. This concept of heating water and transferring to homes as part of central heating is popular in some Scandinavian countries. 

Biogas is eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation due to the combustion of biomethane from vehicles being more environmentally friendly than those who use transport fuels such as modern petrol and diesel, thereby helping reduce greenhouse emissions. Examples of renewable transport fuels in vehicles that are formed out of biogas are compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG).  

Electricity can be generated from the combustion of biogas. Electricity is easier to transport and measure than heat and gas supply, however, requires the right infrastructure in order for it to feed into the grid, that is expensive and complex. Although, generating green electricity can benefit the generators (households and communities) by using the Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) or for bigger players can maximise the Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for industrial scale production, thereby leading to a reduction in cost as well as being better for the environment. 

Other industries include hospitality, manufacturing, retail and wholesale. 

Which gases does Biogas contain? 

Biogas consists mainly of methane and carbon dioxide. The most common ratio is 60% CH4 (methane) and 40% CO2 (carbon dioxide), However, the respective quantities of these will vary depending on the type of waste involved in the production of the resulting biogas, therefore the most common ratio will be 45 to 75% methane and carbon dioxide from 55 to 25%. Biogas also contains small amounts of hydrogen sulphide, siloxanes and some moisture.  

What are the key benefits?

There are several reasons why biogas technology is useful as an alternate form of technology: Primarily, the raw material used is very cheap, and to farmers it is practically free with the biogas having the ability to be used for a range of household and farming applications. The burning of biogas does not produce harmful gases; therefore, it is environmentally clean. One of the most convenient benefits of biogas is that the technology required for its production is relatively simple and can be reproduced in large or small scale without the need for a large initial capital investment. As this type of energy is a renewable, clean source of energy that relies on a carbon-neutral process, therefore no new amounts of carbon are released into the atmosphere when using biogas. As well as it helping to divert food waste from landfills, positively impacting the environment and economics. Biogas also helps to reduce soil and water contamination from animal and human waste, allowing for the maintenance of a healthy and safe environment for many communities worldwide. With methane being a contributor to climate change, biogas contributes to its reduction that is emitted into the atmosphere, helping to counteract its impact on climate change, thereby helping to possibly help with its immediate impact on the environment.  

However, biogas as a source of energy does have its disadvantages, one is that Biogas production is dependent on a biological process that doesn’t have the ability to be controlled fully. Additionally, biogas works better in warmer climates, this consequently means biogas doesn’t have the capacity to be accessible equally worldwide. 

Is Biogas Good or Bad?

Biogas is an outstanding source of clean energy, due to it possessing a lower impact on the environment than fossil fuels. Although biogas doesn’t have a zero impact on the ecosystems, it is carbon neutral. This is because biogas is produced from plant matter, of which has previously fixed carbon from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. A balance between the carbon being let out as a result of producing biogas and the amount absorbed from the atmosphere is maintained. 

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Sprint Pro on Biofuel Applications 

Unlike fossil fuels, biofuels are man-made fuels created using plant-based renewable resources often known as biomass. As biofuels are renewable, they help to reduce the net amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere from combustion-powered vehicles and other energy users. All petrol and diesel fuels sold in the UK are obliged to contain a certain percentage of biofuel (10% bio ethanol in petrol and 7% biodiesel in diesel) in order to help meet wider emissions targets. 

What is biofuel?  

Different from other renewable energy sources, biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels known as biofuels. The two most familiar types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel, both of which are first-generation biofuel technology.  

Ethanol  

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is a renewable fuel that can be produced from a variety of plant materials, collectively known as biomass. Ethanol is an alcohol that is used as a blending agent to replace a percentage of gasoline, making a mixture. It has the added bonusses of reducing carbon monoxide and other smog-forming emissions.  

In the modern world where cleaner fuel is the future, the most common blend is E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline), legally mandated as the composition of unleaded petrol in the UK from September 2021. Some modern vehicles have been designed to run on E85. This is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing between 51% and 85% ethanol, the exact composition being dependent on geography and the season. This is an alternative fuel with much higher ethanol ratio compared to that of regular gasoline. It is sold in approximately 2% of the filling stations in the United States, and overall, roughly 97% of gasoline in the United States contains some ethanol. 

Most of the ethanol is produced from plant starches and sugars, but development is continuing in technologies that would permit the use of cellulose and hemicellulose, a non-edible fibrous material that constitutes the bulk of plant matter, and there are now several commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefineries currently operational in the United States. The common method for converting biomass into ethanol is through fermentation, when microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and yeast) metabolise plant sugars and produce ethanol. 

Biodiesel  

Biodiesel is a liquid fuel constructed from renewable sources, such as new and used vegetable oils as well as, animal fats. This type of liquid fuel is a cleaner-burning replacement for petroleum-based diesel fuel. Biodiesel is biodegradable and is made through the combination of alcohol and vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease. 

Similar to petroleum-derived diesel, biodiesel is used to fuel compression-ignition (diesel) engines. Biodiesel has the characteristics to be blended with petroleum diesel in any ratio, and then burned as fuel in modern diesel engines. This includes B100 which is pure biodiesel, as well as the most common blend, B20, which contains 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. 

Are biofuels the future?  

Although biofuels are cleaner than previous fuels, it seems unlikely that biofuels will ever be a complete replacement for petrol and diesel, though they may bridge the gap from previous fuels to future fuels. This is mainly down to the Government aiming higher for the country to be completely carbon neutral by 2050, with electric cars key to removing tailpipe emissions completely, in which Biofuels could help reduce our carbon footprint for now.  

However, a more promising approach to biofuels could be that of synthetic fuels or eFuels. Petrol and diesel are known as ‘hydrocarbons’ as they contain a combination of hydrogen and carbon atoms that make up all oils. Whereas eFuels get their hydrogen from water and carbon from the air, through the combination into structures similar to that of petrol and diesel. Synthetic fuels can be created with renewable energy, and carbon captured during their creation can offset the CO2 emissions when they are burned. Current developments suggest that eFuels may have the potential to store energy that is generated via renewable sources during times of low demand. 

Sprint Pro on biofuel application 

The main requirement is that the oil filter kit is needed rather than the normal kit. The oil kit filter will last through many tests that would block most tighter weaves, but it is still highly effective at preventing moisture ingress into the flue gas analyser itself, where it would cause damage to pump and sensors. Many biofuels are catered for by the Sprint Pro efficiency and safety algorithms, and more will be added as their use becomes significant. Such algorithm updates occur automatically at the annual service as part of the calibration process, meaning the users of Sprint Pro are to some extent futureproofed against changes known and also as yet unknown. 

 

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Carbon Monoxide Awareness: What are the dangers?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood, and coal. It is only when fuel does not burn fully that excess CO is produced, which is poisonous. When CO enters the body, it stops the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs. CO is poisonous as you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it but CO can kill quickly without warning. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics show every year in the UK around 15 people die from CO poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been correctly installed, maintained or those that are poorly ventilated. Some levels that present do not kill but can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a prolonged period, with extreme cases causing paralysis and brain damage because of prolonged exposure to CO. Therefore, understanding the danger of CO poisoning as well as educating the public to take appropriate precautions could inevitably reduce this risk.  

How is CO generated? 

CO is present in several different industries, such as steel works, manufacturing, electricity supply, coal and metal mining, food manufacturing, oil and gas, production of chemicals and petroleum refining to name a few.  

CO is produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as gas, oil, coal, and wood. This happens where there is a general lack of burner maintenance, insufficient air – or the air is of insufficient quality to allow complete combustion. For example, the efficient combustion of natural gas generates carbon dioxide and water vapour. But if there is inadequate air where that combustion takes place, or if the air used for combustion becomes vitiated, combustion fails and produces soot and CO. If there is significant water vapour in the atmosphere, this can reduce the burning efficiency still further and speed up CO production. 

Incorrect or poorly maintained appliance such as cookers, heaters or central boiler are the most common cause of carbon monoxide exposure. Other causes include blocked flues and chimneys as this can prevent carbon monoxide form escaping leading to dangerous levels accumulating. Burning fuel in an enclosed or unventilated environment such as running a car engine, petrol-powered generator or barbecue inside a garage or tent can lead to similar CO accumulation. Faulty or blocked car exhausts can lead to inefficient combustion and hence a leak or blockage within the exhaust pipe can cause an excess of CO to be produced. Some vehicles and properties may have flues or exhausts blocked after heavy snowfall which may lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide. A different cause of CO poisoning may result from some chemicals, paint fumes and some cleaning fluids and paint removers contain methylene chloride (dichloromethane), which when inhaled the body breaks this substance down into carbon monoxide leading to possible co poisoning. Though to be fair, since methylene chloride is a listed 1B carcinogen, its breakdown to CO may not be the worst of a subject’s subsequent health problems. Another common cause of low-level CO poisoning is smoking, and smoking shisha pipes can be particularly bad, especially indoors. This is because shisha pipes burn charcoal and tobacco, which can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide in enclosed or unventilated rooms.  

High concentrations of CO 

In some cases, high concentrations of CO may be present. Environments that this may occur include a house fire, therefore the fire service are at risk of CO poisoning. In this environment there can be as much as 12.5% CO in the air which when the carbon monoxide rises to the ceiling with other combustion products and when the concentration hits 12.5% by volume this will only lead to one thing, called a flashover. This is when the whole lot ignites as a fuel. Apart from items falling on the fire service, this is one of the most extreme dangers they face when working inside a burning building. 

How does CO affect the body? 

Due to the characteristics of CO being so hard to identify, I.e., colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas, it may take time for you to realise that you have CO poisoning. The effects of CO can be dangerous, this is because CO prevents the blood system from effectively carrying oxygen around the body, specifically to vital organs such as the heart and brain. High doses of CO, therefore, can cause death from asphyxiation or lack of oxygen to the brain. According to statistics from the Department of Health, the most common indication of CO poisoning is that of a headache with 90% of patients reporting this as a symptom, with 50% reporting nausea and vomiting, as well as vertigo. With confusion/changes in consciousness, and weakness accounting for 30% and 20% of reports.  

Carbon monoxide can severely affect the central nervous system and those with cardiovascular disease. As CO prevents the brain from receiving sufficient levels of oxygen it has a knock-on effect with the heart, brain, and central nervous system. along with symptoms including headaches, nausea, fatigue, memory loss and disorientation, increasing levels of CO in the body go on to cause lack of balance, heart problems, cerebral edemas, comas, convulsions and even death. Some of those who are affected may experience rapid and irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure and arrhythmias of the heart. Cerebral edemas caused because of CO poisoning are especially threatening, this is because they can result in the brain cells being crushed, thereby affecting the whole nervous system. 

Another way CO affects the body is through the respiratory system. This is because the body will struggle to distribute air around the body because of carbon monoxide due to the deprivation of blood cells of oxygen. As a result, some patients will experience a shortness of breath, especially when undertaking strenuous activities. Every-day physical and sporting activities will take more effort and leave you feeling more exhausted than usual. These effects can worsen over time as your body’s power to obtain oxygen becomes increasingly compromised. Over time, both your heart and lungs are put under pressure as the levels of carbon monoxide increase in the body tissues. As a result, your heart will try harder to pump what it wrongly perceives to be oxygenated blood from your lungs to the rest of your body. Consequently, the airways begin to swell causing even less air to enter the lungs. With long-term exposure, the lung tissue is eventually destroyed, resulting in cardiovascular problems and lung disease. 

Chronic exposure to carbon monoxide can have extremely serious long-term effects, depending on the extent of poisoning. In extreme cases, the section of the brain known as the hippocampus may be harmed. This part of the brain is accountable for the development of new memories and is particularly vulnerable to damage. Figures have shown that up to 40% of people who have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning experience problems such as amnesia, headaches, memory loss, personality and behavioural changes, loss of bladder and muscle control, and impaired vision and coordination. Some of these effects do not always present themselves immediately and can may take several weeks or may be highlighted after more exposure. Whilst those who suffer from long-term effects of carbon monoxide poisoning recover with time, there are cases in which some people suffer permanent effects. This may occur when there has been enough exposure to result in organ and brain damage. 

Unborn babies are at the highest risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, since foetal haemoglobin mixes more readily with CO than adult haemoglobin. As a result, the baby’s carboxy haemoglobin levels become higher than the mothers. Babies and children whose organs are still maturing are at risk of permanent organ damage. Additionally, young children and infants breathe faster than adults and have a higher metabolic rate, therefore, they inhale up to twice as much air as adults, especially when sleeping, which heightens their exposure to CO. 

How to identify 

In the event of carbon monoxide poisoning there are a number of treatments, these depend on the levels of exposure, and the age of the patient.  

For low levels of exposure seeking medical advice from your GP is best practice.  

However, if you believe that you have been exposed to elevated levels of CO then your local A&E would be the most suitable place to go. Although your symptoms will usually indicate whether you have CO poisoning, for adults a blood test will confirm the amount of carboxyhaemoglobin in your blood. For children this will lead to an underestimate of the peak exposure since children will metabolise the carboxyhaemoglobin faster. Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) is a stable complex of carbon monoxide that forms in red blood cells when carbon monoxide is inhaled, using up the capacity of the red blood cell to transport oxygen.  

The effects of CO poisoning can include breathlessness, chest pain, seizures and loss of consciousness which may lead to death or physical problems that can occur, depending on how much CO is in the air. For example:  

CO volume (parts per million (ppm)   Physical Effects  
200 ppm   Headache in 2–3 hours  
400 ppm   Headache and nausea in 1–2 hours, life threatening within 3 hours.  
800 ppm   Can cause seizures, severe headaches and vomiting in under an hour, unconsciousness within 2 hours.  
1,500 ppm   Can cause dizziness, nausea, and unconsciousness in under 20 minutes; death within 1 hour  
6,400 ppm   Can cause unconsciousness after two to three breaths: death within 15 minutes  

 Around 10 to 15% of people who obtain serve CO poisoning go on to develop long-term complications. These include brain damage, vision and hearing loss, Parkinsonism – an illness that isn’t Parkinson’s disease but has similar symptoms, and coronary heart disease.  

Treatments  

There are several treatments for CO poisoning, these include rest, standard oxygen therapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.  

Standard oxygen therapy is provided in hospital in the event you have been exposed to a prominent level of carbon monoxide, or you have symptoms that suggest exposure. This process includes being given 100% oxygen through a tight-fitting mask. Normal air contains around 21% oxygen. Continuous breathing of concentrated oxygen enables your body to quickly replace carboxyhaemoglobin. For best results, this type of therapy is continued until your carboxyhaemoglobin levels decrease to less than 10%. 

The alternative treatment is that of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), this treatment consists of flooding the body with pure oxygen, helping it overcome the oxygen shortage caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. However, there is currently not enough evidence about the long-term effectiveness of HBOT for treating severe cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Although standard oxygen therapy is usually the recommended treatment option, HBOT may be recommended in certain situations – such as, if there’s been extensive exposure to carbon monoxide and nerve damage is suspected. The treatment provided is decided upon purely on a case-by-case basis.

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Make your business safer without compromising budgets

Unless your business has very few employees, all of whom work on site, you have probably experienced challenges when it comes to tracking, logging, aggregating and using the data from portable gas detectors. Until recently, this was a widespread problem.

The advent of connected safety, however, has transformed the situation – and for organisations that detect gas hazards, connected gas safety applications (like our own Crowcon Connect) can give you automated compliance records and risk management information, a 24/7 overview of both historic and current training needs and device use, as well as lots of gas safety insights that can be used (for example, with predictive analytics) to make your internal processes and business operations more efficient and effective.

Connected safety solutions can also help you to reduce costs and get better value for the money you do spend.

We’ve already published a couple of posts about aspects of connected safety: you can read them here and here. In this post we’ll look at the ways a connected safety solution and gas safety insights can make your business safer (in terms of both secure business data and better gas safety protocols) without the need for large investments.

What is a connected gas safety solution?

We have defined this term in an earlier post but in a nutshell, a connected safety application links all of your portable devices to a cloud-based software application, which downloads all of the data from each device and presents it to you in a flexible and user-friendly way.

A key advantage is that the connected safety app can aggregate your data both for single instances and over time, which means you get the top quality data you need to make optimal, cost effective, decisions – all in a user-friendly, intuitive format.

For example, Crowcon Connect uploads all data from portable gas detectors when they are docked at the end of a work session (this can be done via a fixed docking point and/or via Bluetooth when the device is charged). It then presents the information (whichever element(s) and from whichever perspective you choose) on a dashboard.

You can see this in action in our interactive online demo.

How does connected safety make my organisation safer?

A connected safety solution safeguards your organisation in two primary ways. Firstly, it gives you proof that your gas protection protocols are being used correctly and that you are complying with all relevant regulations. Secondly, it stores your gas detection data securely and maintains the integrity of that data.

That final point is important because the quality of the data you collect and analyse is imperative. Only top quality (current, accurate and correctly aggregated) data can be used to prove compliance, and with the analysis required to improve operational efficiency and productivity.

You are probably familiar with the need to store data securely – data protection has been a topic of debate and legislation for years now – but you may be less familiar with the extent to which data can be corrupted when it is read, stored, transmitted or processed, unless the correct safeguards are in place.

That’s why we have integrated multiple layers of security, corruption prevention, data backup and testing protocols into our Crowcon Connect product; for more detail, please read our IT security FAQs, which are here.

What is more, by sending your data to the cloud (and it can be hosted on your own private cloud, or link to your existing reporting tools using a bespoke API solution, if you prefer,), you may be able to make substantial savings on storage costs while finding it much easier (and less expensive in terms of time and human resource) to get the most value from your data (which may yield further cost savings). Being on the cloud also ensures that updates to the portal happen immediately and automatically when richer insights and more features are released s you always get the best experience possible.

Crowcon Connect improves organisational and practical safety

By using a cloud data system such as Crowcon Connect, you can use your gas safety insights and employee information to monitor compliance (both regulatory and with internal protocols) and to spot gaps in knowledge and training. You can then fix these – for example, by refreshing safety training, developing bespoke programs or discussing issues with staff – which may prevent catastrophe and save lives.

With the bird’s eye view that Crowcon Connect provides, you can clearly see if your detectors are ready to go and being used properly. You can also spot patterns of alarm events or gas exposure, and act to remedy these before they cause major issues.

Cloud data storage and processing lets you review data logs in a timely manner, assess measurements and response times and implement data-backed training and protocols. This can transform your operations and greatly improve safety.

To find out more about Crowcon Connect and cloud storage, please have a look at our white paper on the subject, which you can access by clicking here.

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