The explosi-meter

The explosi-meter is an instrument which is specifically designed for measuring the lower flammable limit (LFL). It will only function correctly if the filament has an explosive mixture in contact with it. It is contained in a hand-held size box with a battery power supply (Figure 5.19).When in use, the sample tube is lowered into the tank and a sample of the atmosphere is drawn up into the instrument by several depressions of the rubber aspirator bulb. If the sample contains an explosive mixture the resistance of the catalytic filament will change due to the generated heat. An imbalance of the wheat-stone bridge is detected by the ohmmeter which tells the operator that hydrocarbon gas is present in the tank in sufficient quantity to support combustion. Note: Combustibles in the sample are burned on the heated filament, which raises its temperature and increases the resistance in proportion to the concentration of combustibles in the sample. This then causes the imbalance in the wheat-stone bridge. However, it should be realized that a zero reading does not necessarily indicate that there is no hydrocarbon gas present, nor does it mean that no oxygen is present. All it signifies is that the sample taken is either too rich or too lean to support combustion. Care must be taken when testing the atmosphere in enclosed spaces to give consideration for the relative vapour density where mixtures of gases are encountered. A test at one particular level in a tank should be realized as not necessarily being an equivalent reading for other different levels in the same tank.

The electrical bridge circuit of the instrument is designed so that its balance is established at the proper operating temperature of the detecting filament. The circuit balance and detector current are adjusted simultaneously by adjustment of the rheostat. The proper relationship between these two factors is maintained by a special ballast lamp in the circuit. The graduations on the meter are a per cent of the lower explosive limit (LEL) reading between 0% and 100%. Adeflection of the meter between 0% and 100% shows how close the atmosphere being tested approaches the minimum concentration required for explosion. When a test is made with the explosi-meter, and a deflection to the extreme right-hand side of the scale is noted and remains there, then the atmosphere under test is explosive.

Limitations of explosi-meters
The explosi-meter has been designed to detect the presence of flammable gases and vapours. The instrument will indicate in a general way whether or not the atmosphere is dangerous from a flammability point of view. It is important to realize that such information obtained from the instrument is appraised by a person skilled in the interpretation of the reading, bearing in mind the environment. For example, the atmosphere sample which is indicated as being non-hazardous from the standpoint of fire and explosion, may if inhaled, be toxic to workers who are exposed to that same atmosphere. Additionally, a tank that is deemed safe before work is commenced may be rendered unsafe by future ongoing operations, e.g. stirring or handling bottom sludge. This would indicate the need for regular testing practices to be in place in questionable spaces while work is in progress.

Explosi-meter special uses

Where the explosi-meter is employed to test an atmosphere which is associated with high boiling point solvents, it should be borne in mind that the accuracy of the reading may be questionable. The space may be at a higher temperature than the instrument, and therefore it must be anticipated that some condensation of combustible vapours would be in the sampling line. As a consequence, the instrument could read less than the true vapour concentration. Away around this would possibly be to warm the sampling line and the instrument unit to an equivalent temperature as that of the space being tested. Note: Under no circumstances should such instruments be heated over 65C (150F). Furthermore, some types of instruments are designed to measure combustible vapours in air. They are not capable of measuring the percentage vapours in a steam or inert atmosphere, due to the absence of oxygen necessary to cause combustion.

Care in use
When sampling over liquids, care should be taken that the sampling tube does not come into contact with the liquid itself. A probe tube can be used in tests of this character, to prevent liquid being drawn into the sampling tube.