Yokogawa launches DTSX1 Fibre Optic Heat Detector

Due to aging facilities, labour shortage-related safety management issues, and various other problems, the risk of fire is always a concern at industrial facilities; as a result, there is a rising need for heat detection systems. With their ability to measure the temperature distribution and pinpoint anomalies along the entire length of a fibre optic cable, fibre optic heat detectors are a promising solution to such concerns, and devices of this type are increasingly used for monitoring temperature at a broad range of facilities.

In 2011 and 2014, respectively, Yokogawa released the DTSX200 and DTSX3000 fibre optic temperature sensors for use in applications such as the detection of abnormal heat build-up in coal and wood chip conveyors, the measurement of temperature changes in unconventional oil and gas wells, and the detection of the leakage of high- and low-temperature liquids and gases from pipelines and tanks. In response to the growing demand for facility maintenance systems that can prevent incidents caused by heat-related failures at industrial facilities, as well as the need to comply with fire detection standards (an application to certify the DTSX1 for compliance with the EU's EN54-22 fire detection standard is pending), Yokogawa has developed the DTSX1. This easy-to-deploy detector is specifically designed for use in heat sensing and fire detection.

Cost effective and easy to install

All DTSX1 components including an easy-to-read display, relay output circuits, alarm circuits, and other hardware required for heat detection, are housed in a single enclosure measuring 50 cm (W) × 50 cm (H) × 25 cm (D). Suitable for use with Yokogawa-specified fibre optic cables and designed specifically for use in facility monitoring and fire detection applications, the DTSX1 is easy to install, taking approximately 30 per cent less time to install, and costing less than a general-purpose fibre optic temperature sensor.

The DTSX1 can accommodate up to four channels receiving temperature data via fibre optic cables that each can be up to 16km in length. Based on a Yokogawa September 2018 survey, in terms of number of channels and total measurement distance, the DTSX1 outperforms all fibre optic heat detectors currently on the market. The number of channels can be set to 1, 2, or 4, and the measurement distance can be set to 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 16km.

Templates have been created for Yokogawa's GA10 PC-based data logging software that facilitate the display of DTSX1 data. Monitoring windows for each type of application enable the quick detection and location of failures.

Target markets include the iron & steel, power, chemical, non-ferrous metal, pulp & paper, and oil & gas industries.

Applications

• Detecting fire at coal conveyors in thermal power plants and iron mills
• Monitoring abnormal heat build-up in power cable racks
• Detecting fire in service tunnels
• Maintenance monitoring for furnaces in iron & steel and chemical plants
• Detecting fire in transit tunnels and other infrastructure

Maintenance is becoming an increasingly pressing issue as facilities age and skilled personnel retire. Leveraging the ability of the DTSX1 to integrate smoothly with its integrated production control systems, safety instrumented systems, and data acquisition and control systems, Yokogawa will offer products that mitigate the risk of fire and help customers operate their facilities safely.

Follow the link for more information about the DTSX1 Fibre Optic Heat Detector.