Feature Article:.

High Temperature Flame Detector for Gas Turbines
and other Process Applications
By Edward Naranjo
Product Manager, General Monitors

Many of today’s public and private utility companies rely on gas turbines powered by various types of hydrocarbon fuels to generate electricity. Gas turbines are rotary devices that compress incoming air to high pressure, burn fuel to pressurize gas, which then spins the blades of a turbine with a drive shaft connected to an electric power generator.

There are a number of different types of gas turbine systems, including co-generation types that offer green energy from landfill waste and other sources. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the actual application, configuration and real world circumstances. One thing they all have in common, however, is the potential for fire incidents that can be catastrophic if undetected in time.

Our new FL3111HT high temperature flame detector has been designed specifically to address the needs of the gas turbine industry and similar high temperature applications. The innovative FL3111HT’s operating temperature is rated at 125ºC (257ºF), which makes it suitable for use in demanding process and plant environments. To achieve the FL3111HT’s high temperature rating, the instrument features a uniquely designed UV flame detector and electronic components that operate with very low power consumption to reduce detector self-heating.

The highly responsive FL3111HT senses unwanted flames only in the UV spectral range, which allows it to recognize a flame within 100 milliseconds. For superior reliability, the FL3111HT’s design features continuous optical path monitoring (COPM). The FL3111HT’s COPM circuitry self-checks the optical path integrity and electronics once every minute to ensure proper operation. This self-diagnostic feature helps ensure the FL3111HT’s sensor window is clean and ready to monitor potential flame conditions.

The FL3111HT is designed for use in a wide range of high temperature applications. Its high reliability, superior performance, and rugged packaging make it suitable for use in gas turbines, electric power generation, generator sets, natural gas compressor stations, solvent extraction and other chemical processes, drying applications, and paint spray booths in large automotive and other manufacturing operations.

The FL3111HT's electronics are integral within its stainless steel explosion-proof housing, allowing detector information to be processed at the point of detection. The electronics are fully separated from the Exe wire compartment, offering protection during installation and service. The FL3111HT is compatible with General Monitors 02A-series cards, which allows it to be integrated within a complete gas and flame safety monitoring system. The detector has ATEX approval and the CE Marking.

Learn more about the FLT3111HT.