Explosion protection specialist Pyroban has developed a new concept for the explosion protection of generator sets or pumps used in brown and green field oil and gas installations
Pyroban claims that the new Flamepack upgrade can be installed on to a generator in one month after thorough engineering, and reduces major costs to achieve ATEX 94/9/EC compliance.
Generator sets and pumps are widely used in oil and gas installations across the world and many are required to operate safely within potentially explosive atmospheres. Without appropriate explosion protection, the prime mover can be the source of an ignition, a very real problem for many installations that operate without protection.
Pyroban is well known for developing explosion proof kits for the build of new temporary well service equipment and has now made it easier to refurbish and upgrade existing fixed generator sets or pumps to full ATEX 94/9/EC explosion protection.
Gulf of Mexico
“The Gulf of Mexico accident has meant that oil and gas operating companies pay more attention to the generator set overspeed problem. But this is only half the issue, as exiting exhaust gas temperatures and surface temperatures must also be considered to avoid a false sense of security” says Rob Double, Business Development Manager from Pyroban’s Oil and Gas Division.
Pyroban has recently launched the Flamepack system following a significant development programme, testing and field trials. The Flamepack is predominantly a self-contained, open frame module that sits on top of the generator set container and connects to the diesel engine with limited intervention. Depending on the engine size and type, the Flamepack spans the associated container width and length and sits approximately 1500mm - 1900mm tall.
Fitted locally, typically during planned maintenance activity to avoid operational downtime, the Flamepack has been developed to suit various brands including Caterpillar, MTU, Volvo, and Cummins. One of the first unit sales included a Caterpillar 3516 DITA, now in safe operation as an explosion proof generator in India.
The Flamepack is specified according to the specific application and supplied and implemented by Pyroban in the UK with full global after sales service and technical support.
“The announcement of the Flamepack will be of particular interest to oil and gas operating companies that are concerned that their prime movers could be the source of ignition, explosion and environmental disaster” Rob Double says. “Generator sets are high value assets and it has not previously been commercially viable for the companies to upgrade or replace them. The Flamepack concept now makes it possible.”
For further information, visit www.pyroban.com or email
