Omicron Gas System Installed on Four Farstad Vessels

The Omicron Gas System, which is designed for monitoring flammable and toxic gasses in liquid cargo tanks,was chosen for use aboard four Farstad Platform Supply Vessels. This sophisticated new solution, which Autronica Fire and Security AS will display on its stand at SMM in Hamburg, has been installed to ensure safety during transport of liquid cargo, with particular focus on the monitoring of gases produced in tanks by used drilling fluids/mud, which is classed as hazardous material.

Farstad has chosen the Omicron Gas System for use aboard its PSVs Far Seeker, Far Searcher, Far Symphony and Far Star, in order to meet safety requirements from Statoil. Developed using Autronica’s knowledge in gas sampling technology, the system will provide detection of hydrocarbon gas and H2S gas, providing a range of alarms for toxic gas release and reducing the risk of explosion caused by the build-up of hazardous gasses in the cargo tanks.

The system consists of two cabinets: an Ex approved Detector cabinet (SS316), mounted in zone one close to the cargo tanks and a Control and Alarm Cabinet with power supply and barrier units, which is normally mounted in the bridge or engine control room. The sampling tube runs from the selected cargo tank through the Detector cabinet, where a non-return valve ensures that no liquid enters into the system. The system is also equipped with a selection panel for purging/calibration function.