AUTHORIZED GAS TESTING

TRAINING

AIM Of The Course

• Provide a theoretical awareness regarding gas testing.

• Provide information on monitoring equipment
• Provide information on hazards area classifications
• Provide information on protective equipment and
procedures
• Confined space entry

1
 OBJECTIVES

You will know what, when and how to conduct gas

testing.

You will know the importance of gas testing.

You will know different detectors, basic rules, and how

to use them correctly.

Gas testing procedure

Entry inside the confined space

IMPORTANCE OF GAS TESTING

What is gas testing?

• It is an integral part of establishing a safe system
of work in the oil and gas industry

• Gas testing involves testing for toxic gases and

flammable gases using portable gas detection
equipment.

• And to confirm that oxygen levels are within

specified tolerance and safe to breath

2
 Gas testing is carried out when…

• There are works that may generate sparks or other

sources of ignition.

• There are work which may cause an uncontrolled release

of hydrocarbons.

• There are works in confined spaces

• There is a gas alarm investigation

Who Carries Out Gas Testing?

A Competent AGT ( Authorized Gas Tester)

3
• Have successfully completed the ‘‘Authorised Gas
Tester Training’’
• Be familiar with limitation of Gas Test Equipment
• Be familiar with plant and operations
• Be familiar with procedures of gas testing

There are 8 basic rules for

Atmospheric Testing

4
 Rule 1
Factors need to consider when you go for gas testing

Location

Wind direction

Type of equipment

Personal protective equipment

Procedures of gas testing

Monitor for corrosion before you take simultaneous

readings for other hazards.

Divide the confined space in to three different layers

Monitor for oxygen level

Monitor for flammability

Monitor for toxicity.

5
 GAS TESTING PROCEDURE

Types Of Gas Testing:

 Initial
 Periodic
 continuous
Tests should check for the presence of
 O2
 Flammable Gases
 Toxic Gases

Rule 2
Relates to vapor density
Relative density, or specific gravity is the ratio of
the density (mass of a unit volume) of a substance to the
density of a given reference material.
Relative density the reference material is AIR 1.0

Gases that are heavier than air eg. H2S

Gases that are lighter than air eg . CH4

Gases that weigh about the same as air eg. CO

6
 GA S FORMULA DENSITY KG/M3
AMMONIA NH3 0.7
ACETYLENE C2H2 1.097
ARGON AR 1.6
BUTANE C4H10 2.48
BENZENE C6H6 3.4
CARBON DIOXIDE CO2 1.8
CARBON MONOXIDE CO 1.0
CHLORINE CL 2.9
ETHANE C2H6 1.2
HYDROGEN H 0.07
HYDROGEN SULPHIDE H2S 1.189
METHANE CH4 0.6
NITROGEN N 0.9
OXYGEN O2 1.2
PROPANE C3H8 1.8
SULPHER DIOXIDE SO2 2.289

Gas Behavior
• During gas leak combination of gases remain mixed until each
component is separated.
• Separation can take place over several hours and may be caused by
many factors such as condensation, gravity, air movement and
temperature.
• Gases that are heavier than air settle down and move from place to
place known as GAS CLOUD MOVEMENT.
• With gases under pressure a relatively small leak can result in very
rapid and large gas concentrations known as plumes (e.g. LPG).

7
 Physical Properties
Relative Density
• Ratio of gas density compared to air
• Gases with a low RD are lighter than air (e.g. Methane )
• They will tend to collect the surface which prevent them from
raising upwards.
• High RD heavier than air ( H2S ).
• Temperature and pressure can affect RD.

Velocity
• Means the speed at which it travels
• Velocity of gas leak into surrounding air will lead to a disturbance
called TURBULENCE.
• This leads the gas to mix with the surrounding air and tendency to
develop an explosive mixture.

Temperature
• Temperature increases density decreases and tendency of gas to
rise.
• Cooling is having the opposite effect
• Temperature rise can alter the nature of the hazards posed by
flammable gases and vapors.
• Dangers increases when temperature rises.
Pressure
• Gases kept in a liquid being pressurized such as LPG gases
contain butane and propane.
• Leakage of these gas to atmosphere leads to decreases pressure
and temperature drops.
• It causes RD to increase and gas to fall.

8
Dispersion
Dispersion will affect the behavior of escaping gas
In the absence of air movement, dispersion of gas will initially be
determined by the momentum of the released gas, its density
relative to air, or both.

Gas escaping with high velocity from a pressurized line or

container, will behave initially as a jet directed away from the
source of leak.

If the distance increased from the source the movement of jet will
decay until, eventually, the dispersion of the gas will be controlled
by buoyancy effects.

Rule 3
• Know your monitor’s limitations

• Be familiar with limitations of the monitor’s

sensitivity and the conditions it can detect.

• Temperature extremes, humidity and pressure can

effect on readings

9
 GAS DETECTORS

• Gas detectors used to detect the presence of flammable or

toxic gases and vapors and ensuring that oxygen level is in
the safe limit.
• Tracing leaks
• Early warning of the presence of toxic/flammable gases.
Types of Portable Gas Detectors:

Catalytic

Infrared

Surface Or Catalytic Combustion

• Flammable gas is passed over a heat
platinum wire, the gas will burn on
its surface, yielding heat in direct
proportion to gas or vapour
concentration.

• Means heat released by catalytic

combustion further increase the temperature
of the wire, resulting a change in its
electrical circuit.

• Is measured with electrical meter and

displayed in analogue or digital.

10
 Catalytic Detectors – Disadvantages

• Will not detect flammable dusts/fibres

• Require 10% of O2 to work
• False readings if gas level is more than UEL
• It can be poisoned by trace gases such as silicones
• Because of these factors its requires regular
calibration and replacement

Infrared Detectors IR
An infrared detector is a detector that reacts
to infrared (IR) radiation.
Works based on absorption of IR light by
hydrocarbon molecules
Between an IR source and detector contain
hydrocarbon molecule, these molecule will
absorb IR light and decreasing the total IR
radiation detected.
A mirror is positioned at the end of the path,
and this reflects the beam back to the detector
Amount of absorption indicate presence of
hydrocarbons.

11
 Infrared Detectors IR
The two main types of detectors
Thermal
The thermal effects of the incident IR radiation can be followed
through many temperature dependent phenomena.
Photonic
Works based on absorption of IR light by hydrocarbon molecules

OPEN PATH

POINT

Infrared Detectors IR
Advantages:
1) Do not require oxygen to operate
2) Cannot be poisoned by trace gases
3) No variations above UEL

Disadvantages:
1) Cannot detect hydrogen
2) Pressure sensitive
3) Stray radiation can give false readings

12
 Sensors (Semi Conductors)

• Sensors can respond to changes in

atmosphere moisture content and
temperature.
• This is less specific to flammable
gases.
• These detectors do not commonly
provide digital readout but produce
an audible or visual alarm

Electrochemical

Electrochemical sensors can detect

H2S, CO, SO2

Galvanic sensors used for oxygen

Catalytic technology and IR technology

use to detect flammability.

13
 Aspirated Detector

• Gas detectors have their capability

extended by using additional
sampling attachments such as
tubes and probes.
• Probes and sensors recommended
by manufacture should be used
• Motorized or manual pumps draw
in samples of air to be tested
• Is used in drains, low lying voids,
CS, pipelines.

Stain Tubes
• A proprietary device comprising a chemical reagent
housed in a glass tube.
• Air is drawn through the tube by means of a pump and
any contaminant in the atmosphere causes the reagent to
change color.
• The length of color stain in the tube is proportional to the
concentration of contaminant in the atmosphere

14
 Detectors Basic Checks

• Calibration date
• Visual signs of damage
• Sufficiently charged battery
• Aspirator bulb and sample tube
• Diffuser head for dirt or blockages
• Check in a clean environment before
assessing the hazardous environment.
• Allow to adjust with the temperature
• Check detectors in a clean environment
as follows
O2 - 20.9 LEL - 0
H2S - 0 CO - 0
• Check shall only be carried out by
competent personal

Rule 4

Monitor Operational Parameters.

• Operational parameters can include the length of

time the sensors are reliable.

15
 SENSOR CAPACITY OF DETECTOR

All detectors there is a maximum capacity to detect

gases….
• H2S ----- 500 PPM
• CO------- 1000 PPM
• SO2------ 200 PPM
• O2-------- 31%
• LEL------ 100%
• CL-------- 100PPM

Warning Systems
All gas detectors having audio and visual alarm
systems
H2S – 10 PPM
CO – 35 PPM
LEL –10%
O2 – 19.5 – 23.5%
so2 – 2 ppm
cl – 1ppm

16
 Error Indications
Error indication may point to:
1) Detector contamination
2) Equipment malfunctioning
3) Atmospheric disturbances

Action
1) Check should be made with
another detector of the same
type
2) If results vary, equipment should
sent for checking and calibration.

Off- Scale Readings

• Indications occur in either directions

• Cross check with the same or different
• Results vary sent for calibration

17
 Lower Explosive Limit (L.E.L)
• The Lower Explosive Limit refers to the lowest
concentration of a gas in the atmosphere that will
result in a combustible mixture.

For example:
The LEL of methane is 5 percent by volume. This
means that if there is less than 5 percent by
volume of methane in air, the mixture is too lean to
support the combustion.

Upper Explosive Limit (U.E.L.)

• The UEL refers to the highest concentration of a
gas in the atmosphere, which result in a
flammable mixture.

For example:
The UEL of methane is 15% by volume, this
means that if there is more than 15% by volume
of methane in the atmosphere it is “too rich” to
support the combustion.

18
 LEL Calculation
• Multi gas detectors set as the 10% of LEL.

• Calculation
Reading LEL of calibrated gas
100

Rule 5
Atmospheric Monitoring

Is to realize that many flammable gases are also toxic.

19
 HAZARD AREA
CLASSIFICATION

The total plant area is divided into different zones on

the likelihood of gases present.

• Zones classification
zone 0
zone 1
zone 2

Zone 0
– An area in which explosive gases / mixtures is
continuously present or present for long periods
– It is the most potentially hazardous area of any plants

Zone 1
– An area in which explosive gases /mixtures is likely to
occur in normal operation

Zone 2
– An area which explosive gases / mixtures is not likely
to occur in normal operation, but if occur it will be
for a short duration

20
 Confined Space Entry

There are 4 types of confined space entry

CAT 1 SAFE ENTRY

CAT 2 Restricted entry

CAT 3 RESTRICTED ENTRY, ENTRY ONLY

WITH SCB A

CAT 4 IDLH Confined space

Necessary Actions To Be Considered During Gas Testing

• All testing should be conducted outside the Confined Space
• Impractical entry is necessary
• Stay always upwind in C S
• Checking starts from:
5 meters
1 meter, surroundings
Each ½ meter depth of confined space
Important :
Each area minimum we need to spend at least 10 seconds to check
the gases.
Never make assumptions, always check and if in doubt check
again and again.

21
 Rule 6
• Inspect and field calibrate the monitor in an area with
clean air.

• Check the equipment to make sure that it is zeroed for

flammability and toxicity levels.

• That it is reading 20.9 percent for oxygen level.

All detectors must be calibrated against a known standard.

In house – Before each use calibrate in a clean
atmosphere
External – Sent to third-party calibration( sensitivity testing )
every 6 months
Bump test – Should conduct monthly

22
 Rule 7

Position yourself upwind from the space while

monitoring.

Rule 8
Ensure all batteries are charged sufficiently
after each use.

23
• It can be described as any closed or partially closed space, entry is
possible, with limited access, or restricted means of entry or exit
and there is a risk of oxygen deficiency and accumulation of toxic
and flammable gases which is hazardous to health.
• Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy

Gases and vapors can arise from sources both inside and
outside the confined space.
• Operation performed inside the C S (e.g. welding)
• A process which has previously been carried out in C S
• Sludge deposits that are distributed during cleaning
• Adjoining plant due to ineffective isolation
• Migration from another area.

24
 TESTING CONFINED SPACES

• Gas testing in CSE must be carried out before it can

be certified as being safe to enter.

• Tests should check for the presence of

O2

Flammable gases

Toxic gases

TESTING CONFINED SPACES

All testing should be conducted outside the confined space

When this is impractical entry based on following basic rules:
1) Wear approved Respiratory Protective Equipment
2) Know what type of gases are to be expected
3) Ensure all isolations have been implemented
4) Provide ready exit/entry routes for rescue team
5) Wear all approved PPE

25
 PPE In Confined Space

• The control of substances hazardous to

health(COSHH)

• The reason PPE is regarded as a last resort

because it is only effective if correctly fitted,
maintained and properly used.

• It is necessary to assess the hazards and risks that

may be present and determine the characteristics
that the ppe must have.

Mandatory

• Safety helmet
• Hearing,
• Eye protection
• Fire retardant/chemical
resistant coveralls
• Safety footwear

26
 Additional
• Respiratory protective
equipment (BA)
• Personal monitors
• Gloves
• Safety Harness
• Torch
• Radios if available
• Other PPE related to job

USE AND MAINTENANCE OF PPE

• Examined to ensure that it is in good working

order
• Properly trained person should examine that.
• Wearer should double check
• Cleaning
• Disinfection
• Examination
• Replacement
• Repair and testing

27
 GAS LIMITS
Work place exposure limit (WEL)
• Approved exposure limit for any hazardous substance in relation to a
specified reference period, when calculated with an approved method.
• The limit for each substance are given in PPM
- Long Term Exposure Limit (LTEL)
- Short Term Exposure Limit(STEL)
Flammable limits
• Explosive limits give the proportion of combustible in a mixture,
between which limits this mixture is flammable
• The limit for each substance are given in %
- Lower Flammable Limit(LFL)
- Upper Flammable Limit (UFL)

Long term exposure limit (LTEL)

• LTEL is the term used to describe the allowable
concentration in air, expressed in Parts Per Million (PPM)
• This is for an 8 hour reference period

Short term exposure limit(STEL)

• Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is the concentration to

which workers can be exposed continuously for a short
period of time
• This is for a fifteen minutes reference period

28
 Flammable Gases

Methane (CH4)
• Natural, marsh or swamp gas
• Colorless, odorless, flammable gas
• Lighter than air
• Vapor Density (0.6)
• LEL = 5%; UEL = 15%

Propane C3H8
• Propane is produced as a by-product of two other
processes: natural processing and petroleum refining.
• Colorless, odorless, Extremely flammable gas
• Heavier that Air -1.6
• LEL – 2.1
• UEL – 9.5

29
 Butane C4H10
• Extremely flammable
• Colorless
• Easily liquefied gases
• Inhalation of butane can cause euphoria, drowsiness ,
narcosis , asphyxia, cardiac arrhythmia which can
result in death from asphyxiation
• When blended with propane and other hydrocarbons,
it is referred to commercially as LPG.
• LEL – 1.8 , UEL – 8.4
• RD- 2.1

TOXIC GASES

Gases in oil and gas industry may not be flammable, but may
still present a health hazard due to their toxicity.

• Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)

• Carbon Monoxide (Co)
• Sulphur Dioxide (So2)
• Chlorine
• Benzene

30
 HYDROGEN SULPHIDE (H2S)

• Colorless gas
• Is often referred to as sour gas
• Rotten eggs smell at low concentrations
• High concentrations loose the sense of smell
• Soluble in water, oil and all organic liquids
• Corrosive
• Burn with a blue flame and produces SO2
• Heavier than air and may accumulate in low lying area.
• Hazardous to health-deadly

Measurement of H2S

• H2S is measured in Parts Per Million (PPM)

• 1% H2S = 10,000 PPM
• 0.001% H2S = 10 PPM

Occupational Exposure limits (OEL) - 10 ppm

Short Term Exposure Limit (S.T.E.L) - 15 ppm

31
 EFFECTS OF H2S
• 0.1 PPM : Rotten egg smell
• 4 – 6 PPM : Easily detectable by odour
• 10 PPM : Beginning of eye irritation
• 100 PPM : Loss of sense of smell
• 200 – 300 PPM : Irritation of respiratory tract,
fluid begins to form in lungs
• 500 – 700 PPM : Rapid loss of consciousness
• 700 – 1,000 PPM : Almost immediate loss of
consciousness and asphyxiation
• 1000 PPM : Immediate loss of consciousness followed
by death in one breath

SULFUR DIOXIDE (SO2)

• Toxic, corrosive, liquefied gas

• It’s the product of many industrial processes
• Since coal and petroleum often contain sulfur
compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide
• Colorless, inflammable gas with strong suffocating odor.
• Effects of SO2 include eye, nose, throat, and upper
respiratory tract irritations at level as low as 2 ppm.
• High concentrations
KILLS

32
 CARBON MONOXIDE

• Colorless, odorless gas, which is highly toxic

• Produced from the partial oxidation of carbon-containing
compounds
• It forms when there is not enough oxygen to produce
carbon dioxide (CO2)
• When operating a stove or an internal combustion engine in
an enclosed space
• Carbon monoxide mixture burns with a blue flame,
producing carbon dioxide

Toxicity
• It combines with hemoglobin to produce carboxyhemoglobin,
which is ineffective for delivering oxygen to bodily tissues know as
anoxemia
• Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness
• CO poisoning include cherry-red blood hue
• Permissible Exposure Level for 8 Hours is 35 ppm
• 35 ppm (0.0035%) Headache and dizziness
• 400 ppm (0.04%) Frontal headache, nausea
• 1,600 ppm (0.16%) Tachycardia, dizziness, nausea
• 3,200 ppm (0.32%) Dizziness, nausea death 30 min
• 6,400 ppm (0.64%) Respiratory arrest death 15 min
• 12,800 ppm (1.28%) - Unconsciousness after 2-3 breaths. Death
in minutes

33
 PURGING

• Is the technique of replacing an active atmosphere with an inert

one
• It is important to prevent fire or explosion where hydrocarbons
come into contact with air
• Nitrogen purging (common)
• Steam purging
• Water purging
• Normal air purging
Direct purging
Indirect purging

Direct Purging
• It involves purging directly from gas to air or air
to gas
• Apply in Decommissioning of vessels
• Flush out hydrocarbons
• Purge with nitrogen, air and ventilate
• Poor purging can cause exposure

34
 Indirect Purging
• This is the displacement of flammable gases by an inert
gas followed by air.
• Commonly used in recommissioning vessels
• Flush it with air, then steam, then Nitrogen
• Cannot ventilate, then introduced hydrocarbons
Displacement purging
Slug purging
Pressure purging

Displacement purging
• Purging the pipeline with a specified ‘END POINT’.
• Nitrogen separates air from natural gas and prevent the
formation of flammable gas mixture.

Slug purging
• A slug (shells) of purge gas is inserted and this act as a barrier
between flammable gases and air.

Pressure purging
• Successive pressurization and depressurization of a vessel until
an acceptable END POINT is reached.

35
 SUMMARY

• Gas testing in C S must be carried out before it can be

certified as being safe to enter.

• Signage in Place

• Communication And Emergency Procedures In Place

AGT SHOULD:

• Attend training
• Enough knowledge about gases
• Knows about limitation of detectors
• Mandatory and additional PPE
• Permitting system/risk assessment
• Assign team including rescue
• Reporting
• Suggestions

36
37