At OTC 2012 in Houston, Pyroban will demonstrate its growing range of NEC, ATEX and IECEx certified explosion proof components, kits, packages and systems used to protect the global oil and gas industry.

"An explosion offshore has deep consequences for people, the environment, brand reputation and oil and gas production,” explains Rob Double, responsible for Pyroban's global oil and gas business. “We expect this subject to be high on the agenda for many visitors at this year’s OTC where Pyroban will show new components and products that help prevent an ignition offshore.”

For more than 40 years, Pyroban’s business has been safety and the prevention of explosions, and the company is well known for providing safety solutions for oil and gas customers all over the world.

“Pyroban provides a complete range of explosion prevention services from helping businesses understand their explosion risks through to the delivery of complex explosion protection engineering solutions,” says Rob Double. “At OTC, experienced members of the Pyroban team will be available to discuss specific explosion prevention topics alongside displays of explosion proof components and products, which have achieved tri-certification to ATEX, IECEx and NEC.”

At this year’s OTC, which takes place in Houston at the Reliant Centre on 30 April to 3 May, Pyroban will be exhibiting on stand 2541, Hall D, in the UK Pavilion. OTC is described as the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection.

“We provide explosion prevention solutions for all levels of the global oil and gas supply chain,” says Rob Double explaining that Pyroban services are broadly filtered into eight categories consisting of consulting, components, engine kits, engine packages, bespoke solutions, systems, service and training, all of which will be featured on the Pyroban stand at OTC.

Hazardous area consulting services
In daily offshore operation, the potential release of flammable hydrocarbons presents a continued risk requiring proper planning and ongoing management to prevent a potential explosion. The consulting team from Pyroban can help oil and gas businesses effectively manage their explosion risks offshore and help put processes in place to ensure legal compliance and continued safety anywhere in the world.

At OTC the team will be discussing risk assessments offshore, hazardous area classification, gap analysis, ongoing explosion risk management, equipment verification services and equipment specification services. The team will also re-enforce the importance of focusing on the science behind an explosion and why legal compliance should never solely be the primary goal.

Explosion proof components
A number of new explosion proof components, many of which have tri-certification to ATEX, IECEx and NEC 505, will also be displayed on the Pyroban stand at OTC, manufactured by Pyroban Group companies. Pyroban has expanded its range of hazardous area components and this will be the first time that many of them have been shown to the public.

Versions of the new Pyroban safety shutdown valves (SVH) will be shown, which are designed to shut down a diesel engine if it ingests a flammable gas, preventing engine “over-speed”. The slim “butterfly” SVH design suits a wide range of hazardous area applications and there is a choice of 3”, 5” and 8” valve sizes with electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. The 3” and 5” versions can be supplied with an integral flame trap both of which will be on display for the first time at OTC and are certified to ATEX, IECEx and NEC 505.

Pyroban will also be showing a range of explosion proof components from Pyropress, a Pyroban Group company, including the Perseus pressure switch that has tri-certification and the Hermes II pressure switch, which is Exd and Exia.

An Exd and Exia Pyropress transmitter will also be shown alongside the Guardian Exia temperature and reed level switches designed for use in hazardous areas.
Visitors will also see the Pyropress 4’’ and 6’’ explosion relief valves (ERV) which vent excess pressure. In the event of a crankcase explosion the M66 marine certified Pyropress ERV helps avoid a dangerous pressure rise and resultant engine damage. High temperature valves able to withstand 540°C are also available for relieving explosions in exhaust systems.

The newest addition to the Pyroban flameproof alternator range is the 60 KVA version, with ATEX, IECEx and NEC 505 certification.

An ATEX compliant centrifugal and auxillary spark arrestor for engines up to 1500bhp will also be shown, representing a full range offering
Pyroban’s explosion proof 12V and 24V deep cycle batteries, which have tri-certification for use in hazardous areas anywhere in the world, will also be seen alongside a number of other explosion proof components.

Explosion proof diesel engine kits
Pyroban is well known for supplying complete explosion proof diesel engine kits for integration into well service equipment and a complete unit will be on display.
“It is important to show an explosion proof diesel engine with global certification at OTC this year because it brings best practice to Houston, the heart of the global oil and gas industry,” says Rob Double. “Well service equipment all over the world is powered by diesel engines and many of them are used in hazardous areas.”

Nitrogen vaporiser pumps, surface preparation equipment, cementing units, coiled tubing power-packs, high pressure fluid pumps and air compressors are all driven by diesel engines. However, unless they are suitably protected, diesel engines can be a potential source of ignition (such as hot surfaces, engine over-speed or sparks), leading to potential fire or explosion hazards.