Flare & Torch Acoustic Monitoring (Abnormal Venting & Emissions Control) — ATEX

Detects leaks and venting issues

Acoustic

Quick Overview

Problem

Flares and torches in biogas and hydrogen facilities are critical safety devices. Abnormal venting, continuous pilot loss, partial blockage, or unexpected flow can go unnoticed between inspections—leading to emissions exceedance, safety exposure, or regulatory non-compliance in ATEX-classified zones.

Solution

Sensa.io’s ATEX-certified acoustic sensors continuously monitor flare and torch sound signatures to detect abnormal venting, ignition issues, or flow anomalies in real time.

Value

Emissions control • Improved flare reliability • Reduced inspection effort • Compliance assurance

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified acoustic sensors

The Operational Challenge

Flares and torches are used in renewable gas facilities to:

  • Safely burn excess biogas during upsets
  • Manage hydrogen venting during maintenance
  • Protect process equipment from overpressure
  • Comply with safety and environmental regulations

Operational constraints include:

  • Intermittent operation with long idle periods
  • Harsh outdoor conditions (wind, rain, temperature)
  • Limited access for frequent inspection
  • ATEX restrictions on instrumentation

Common failure or deviation modes include:

  • Continuous low-flow venting not detected visually
  • Pilot flame instability or extinction
  • Partial blockage or valve malfunction upstream
  • Increased venting due to upstream process issues

Traditional monitoring relies on:

  • Visual inspection
  • Flame presence detectors only
  • Emissions checks after incidents

This provides limited insight into flare performance between inspections.

Why Acoustic Monitoring Matters

Acoustic signatures provide real-time information about gas flow and combustion behaviour.

Continuous acoustic monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect abnormal venting even at low flow rates
  • Identify ignition instability or pilot loss
  • Differentiate normal purge noise from abnormal events
  • Correlate flare activity with upstream process deviations

Acoustic monitoring offers a non-intrusive way to supervise flares continuously without interfering with safety functions.

Sensa.io Solution

Sensa.io delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe acoustic monitoring solution for flares and torches in renewable energy facilities.

Core Components

Acoustic Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Wide-band acoustic measurement capable of detecting flow noise, combustion noise, and abnormal sound patterns.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with SCADA, EMS, and environmental monitoring systems.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered clamp-on or bracket-mounted installation near flare stacks or vent lines — no cabling required.

Operational Benefits

  • Early detection of abnormal venting
  • Improved flare availability and reliability
  • Reduced manual inspection frequency
  • Enhanced emissions and safety oversight

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Venting visibility Limited Continuous
Abnormal event detection Late Immediate
Inspection effort High Reduced
Compliance assurance Reactive Proactive

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All acoustic sensors for flare and torch monitoring comply with:

  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Zones 0–2)
  • IECEx certification

The intrinsically safe design enables safe installation near active flares and venting systems.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

SCADA, EMS, environmental monitoring platforms

Vendors

Siemens Energy, ABB, Schneider Electric, Honeywell

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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