Gas detection in explosive environments

Company

Geopal System A/S develops alarm systems for detecting gases, vapors, and toxic fumes in industrial work environments. EKTOS has partnered with Geopal as the primary electronic hardware and software developer for their latest innovation, their latest gas detector called GP-NOVA.

Challenge

The GP-NOVA is one of the most ambitious projects EKTOS has undertaken, designed to meet the stringent SIL 2 approval requirements according to IEC 61508, as well as ATEX standards EN IEC 60079-0:2018 and EN 60079-1:2014.

Developing a gas detector for environments where flammable gases, mists, or vapors may be present poses significant challenges, especially since any ignition source in such an atmosphere can lead to explosions.

Solution

The GP-NOVA gas detector features an innovative and versatile design, incorporating an optical touch interface, a large, bright OLED display, and a flexible enclosure that accommodates a wide range of sensor technologies. These elements reflect the intelligent, user-oriented approach taken in its development.

Bluetooth connectivity and a dedicated app enable real-time gas measurement readings, along with wireless configuration and calibration of the device. Additionally, the GP-NOVA can store time-stamped gas concentration measurements for up to 2,000 events on a microSD card. Designing for ATEX approval was a critical aspect of the project, as the GP-NOVA is intended for environments where flammable gases, mists, or vapors may be present.

To comply with the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, which governs equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres, EKTOS focused on several key design considerations.

One of the primary challenges was thermal design which prevented excessive heat dissipation within the product. Comprehensive calculations, observations, testing, and thorough analyses of potential component failures were essential for securing ATEX approval.

Result

The GP-NOVA not only delivers an outstanding user experience but also adheres to the highest safety standards, successfully meeting the rigorous requirements of the ATEX certification.

We take great pride in the accomplishments achieved through our collaboration with Geopal. At EKTOS, we embrace challenges and remain eager to tackle the next innovative project.