2024-08-15
As global demands for environmental protection and safe production continue to rise, the issue of vapor recovery at petrochemical terminals has become a focal point for the industry. During the loading of gasoline, aviation kerosene, benzene, paraxylene, and other oil and chemical products, significant vapor emissions not only exacerbate air pollution but also pose severe threats to human health. Therefore, the promotion and application of efficient dockside vapor recovery facilities, particularly the safety devices connecting ships to shore, have become vital pathways for the petrochemical industry to achieve green and safe development.
1. Overview of Dockside Vapor Recovery Facilities
Dockside vapor recovery facilities are highly complex systems encompassing multiple stages, including vapor collection, ship-to-shore safety, vapor transmission, vapor recovery, and automatic control. The ship-to-shore safety device, serving as a crucial link between the vessels and the onshore vapor processing equipment, plays an essential role. It not only ensures the efficient operation of vapor recovery processes but also safeguards the safety of the ships, onboard equipment, and onshore vapor processing units.
2. The Central Role of Oxygen Sensors in Ship-to-Shore Safety Devices
According to the "Standards for Dockside Vapor Recovery Ship-to-Shore Safety Devices," these devices must provide real-time monitoring of critical parameters such as vapor pressure, differential pressure, temperature, flow rate, oxygen content, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Among these, oxygen content monitoring is particularly critical, as it directly relates to whether the vapor mixture falls within the flammable and explosive range. To mitigate the risks associated with high oxygen levels, the performance of oxygen sensors is crucial.
3. Advantages of High-Performance Oxygen Sensors
Take the Alphasense O2-A2 oxygen sensor from the UK as an example. Its exceptional performance provides robust support for the safety devices used in dockside vapor recovery. The sensor's leak-proof design ensures accurate monitoring data, while its rapid response capability allows it to detect even the slightest changes in oxygen levels swiftly. Additionally, its compact size, long lifespan, high sensitivity, and excellent selectivity enable it to maintain stable monitoring in the complex and variable conditions of docks. Furthermore, the O2-A2 sensor’s excellent linearity at low concentrations is vital for precisely controlling oxygen levels during the vapor recovery process.
4. The Role of Oxygen Sensors in Preventing Combustion and Explosion Risks
According to the recommendations of the "International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals," setting the oxygen safety level below 8% ensures that the vapor mixture stays clear of the flammable and explosive limit. The O2-A2 sensor can monitor the oxygen content in the vapor pipelines in real-time and, when the oxygen level approaches the danger threshold (e.g., 6%), it triggers the inerting system to inject nitrogen into the pipeline. This effectively reduces the oxygen content, preventing combustion and explosion accidents. Such automated warning and protection measures significantly enhance the safety and reliability of dockside vapor recovery operations.
