Integrated Gas Detection On Vacuum/Pressure Washer Rigs

Vacuum trucks are often used to remove water around sub-surface pipes (or any type of underground equipment) in the oil and gas industry to conduct maintenance. Quite often, this water is contaminated with hydrocarbons (and potentially entrained H2S), and there is an inherent risk of gas release when the water is being moved. In the case of a gas release, the truck itself would present a source of ignition.

For this application, the vacuum truck is also equipped with a pressure washer which has a burner system to heat the water. In the case of a gas release, the contacts from the Millennium II will automatically shut off the burners. Historically, service teams have used a “safety watch” with a personal monitor, but fixed gas detection has three key benefits:

1. Two points of LEL detection vs the single personal gas detector.
2. Automatic shut-down is quicker and eliminates the human element (analysis of the situation and eventual reaction).
3. No need for a safety watch.