At Ghent University (UGent), the technical hall of the Laboratory for Chemical Technology (LCT) hosts around 100 researchers actively engaged in various fields, such as hydrocarbon steam cracking or the fast pyrolysis of biomass and plastics.
The LCT continuously develops and builds various experimental setups for current and future industrial applications. UGent has chosen DALEMANS to install its gas detection systems.
“Different tests are conducted in each laboratory,” explains François Spadazzi – Sales Engineer at DALEMANS. “In each one, we installed various gas detectors—HC, CO₂, H₂S, NO₂, SO₂, CO, and oxygen—depending on the applications of each machine.” Additional explosive gas detectors were installed at various locations throughout the hall. The seven control panels were also installed inside the building. “Generally, control panels are located outside the monitored area. This allows operators to safely check gas concentrations when an alarm is triggered.”
In this particular case, a large 19-inch cabinet located in a technical room outside the protected area houses two synoptic displays showing the hall layout, each zone, and every detector with their respective alarms. When an alarm sounds, there is no need to enter the hall. Thanks to these synoptics displays, gas concentrations can be checked, and detectors in alarm or fault status can be reset remotely. “We proposed several solutions to Ugent's project managers,” adds François Spadazzi. “We were highly flexible. We didn’t impose our solutions—we respected their specifications. Everything was custom-designed to meet their needs: synoptics layouts, tower light operation, and remote detector calibration.” Once the work was completed, DALEMANS carried out all the necessary commissioning checks.