December 6, 2018 — United Electric Controls, a producer of safety, alarm and shutdown technology, has announced availability of discounted Beta test versions of its Vanguard WirelessHART gas sensors for ammonia (NH 3 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). The capability is delivered as interchangeable sensor heads for the WirelessHART Vanguard gas detector. United Electric Controls is demonstrating the Vanguard gas detector at Power-Gen 2018 – Booth 2960.
WirelessHART Vanguard Gas Detectors interface with existing networks to provide continuous coverage. United Electric Controls has recently upgraded the Vanguard to handle a broader ambient operation temperature range (-40°C to 65°C); enhanced zero stability; and with interchangeable firmware that enables measurement of additional gases without changing the base unit. NH 3 and CO are the first gases to take advantage of this capability.
Power producers use ammonia to reduce nitrogen oxide (NO) — the chemical that creates smog and acid rain (NOx) in flue gas before it enters the atmosphere. CO results from incomplete combustion and can leak from boiler casings and smoldering coal. Undetected leaks of either can be toxic or result in explosions.
Future Vanguard versions will address other gases commonly found in the power industry, including hydrogen from electric generators and battery rooms and oxygen that might be depleted in continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) shelters.
Beta testers of the ammonia and carbon monoxide detectors receive up to fifty percent discount on the first three ammonia or carbon monoxide Vanguard detectors they purchase. They can also purchase additional sensor heads which will enable them to detect hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) or methane (CH 4 ) using the Vanguard base unit.
