GasSecure has received the 2011 European Technology Innovation Award in the gas detection sector from Frost & Sullivan for developing the GS01, which is the globe’s first wireless gas detector, for oil and gas installations.
Research Analyst of Frost & Sullivan, Anita Pamu, stated that the easy installation and the improved flexibility of the GS01 have the potential to transfigure the industry of gas detection. This system has attractive features such as fast response times, accuracy, high reliability and long battery life, which are essential for a gas detector.
An optical sensor is incorporated in the GS01 gas detector. This device is made of a 0.5 cm silicon chip of which can sense the presence of methane. The patented gas detector technology integrates infrared and ultrasonic detection.
The estimated life span of the gas sensor is 15 years and the battery has a lifetime of two years. The response time, together with the time taken for wireless communication, is below 5 s. This new sensor technology can be modified to sense several desired gases. The innovative optical design promises an excellent stability in signal, eliminates influence by changes in the environment, and does not need recalibration.
This wireless sensor system has potential benefits such as limited engineering, fewer junction boxes, no cables, low weight, no conduits and low installation cost. GasSecure envisions the use of GS01 in industrial plants and air quality monitoring, besides the oil and gas industry.
This detection device is compatible with ISA-100 and wirelessHART, as it allows the users to exploit wireless technology benefits. Pamu said that new detectors are included into GS01 network automatically. Moreover, it can be calibrated so as to sense gases excluding hydrocarbons and is perfect as portable monitors and suitable for fixed installation.