The Advanced Habitat comes with an integrated gas detection system effectively ringfencing the enclosure creating a habitat within a habitat. Gas detection is linked to and monitored by a central control unit, HANS, which commands all electrical and pneumatic power to the tools being used within the enclosure. HANS also monitors five independent gas detectors, one mounted in the fan’s intake manifold with the remaining four positioned at suitable points determined by the site safety officer.
These workstations relay power from the main supply to the tools within the enclosure and are controlled and shutdown via HANS. It also monitors the enclosure’s internal pressure and temperature and shuts down all hot work should the pressure drop below 2.5mm H2O (25pa) or internal temperature rises above 70 degrees.
Advanced Habitat’s Key Features:
- Developed in conjunction with StatoilHydro
- Certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
- Complies with norsok standard for temporary equipment Z-015
- Developed since 1997
- Flame retardant flexible material to DIN 4102
- Advanced technology protected under US Patent: 7397361
- All equipment complies to ATEX Zone 1 standards
HANS’ gas detectors are specifically designed for use in the offshore and mining industries and can be calibrated to trigger in the presence of gaseous or vaporous explosive hydrocarbons including: Methane, propane, n-Butane, n-Hexane, toluene, styrene, xylene, ethanol, ethyl acetate, methanol, JP4. jet fuel, 98 oct. petrol, 2. propanol, turpentine, methyl ethyl ketone (mek), acetone, propene, ethylene, white spirit and ethane.
Each sensor is fitted in an enclosure designed to withstand the elements. Excepting routine checks for obvious damage to the electrical infrastructure, the only routine maintenance required is cleaning of the sensor optics. Routine testing is not required as each gas detector contains an on-board computer which continually tests for fault conditions and reports back to the HANS.
The specially designed sensor employs a pulsed, dual path, dual wavelength infra-red emitter-detector pair. Detection time to initiate shutdown is typically less than one second and occurs at approximately one tenth of LEL of the detected gas. Other detectors are available for example H2S, oxygen enrichment/depletion and toxic gas.
| HANS Automated Shutdown System | |||
| Site State | Workstations | Fan | Alarm |
| Normal | Run | Run | Off |
| Gas Detected 1-4 | Stop | Run | Alarm |
| Gas in Fan | Stop | Stop | Alarm [Gas in fan] |
| Pressure <25pa | Stop | Run | Alarm |
| Over Temperature | Stop | Run | Alarm |
Anjur Ekar will supply a team of trained technicians to construct, operate and maintain the unit on site.
It is important to note that, with the exception of gas at the primary inlet, HANS does not shut down pressure to the Habitat: maintaining positive pressure in the environment during such an incident means the the safety and of the plant and operators is maintained at all times.
STS Habitat systems have been used on oil and gas platforms in the North Sea including: Oseberg A, B, C, D, Brage, Jord, Visund, Snorre TLP and B, Heidrun, Draugen, West Epsilon, Balder, Ula, Gyda, Gullfaks Field, Statfjord Field, Ekofisk Field, Sleipner A, B, Norne Field, Asgard Field, Jotun A, B, Troll A, B, Heimdal, Kollsnes, Mongstad, Tjedbergodden and more…
