According to a report by the UK Health and Safety Executive, gas leaks in well-ventilated areas disperse quickly and may not be detected by traditional fixed or open-path detectors. Honeywell's new Searchzone Sonik uses ultrasonic technology including a sealed piezoelectric sensor. This is unaffected by weather conditions and background noise and provides instant and reliable leak detection of high pressure gas leaks.

Ultrasonic gas detectors are typically mounted high above the areas they monitor, making the devices challenging to install and maintain. The Searchzone Sonik comes with an ultrasonic tester to help select the correct installation location for the sensor, as well as an easy-to-use mobile app to optimize installation, operation and maintenance from the safety of the ground.

Protection in winter and in the desert

"Personnel and equipment safety is the number one priority for industrial plant operators - and advanced gas detection is a critical part of the overall solution," said Carl Ritzberger, director of marketing for fixed gas detectors at Honeywell Industrial Safety. "The Searchzone Sonik, in combination with fixed and open-path gas detectors, provides a higher level of protection in any environment, from harsh winter conditions to extreme desert environments. The solution uses innovative algorithms to respond only to the unique ultrasonic frequencies generated by a high pressure leak. The solid sensor is sealed to protect it from moisture and contamination to ensure accuracy and reliability."

Honeywell's Searchzone Sonik is suitable for applications requiring emergency shutdown and other automatic controls related to production, storage, processing and distribution in the oil and gas industry. The device is easy to install, commission and maintain via an app when paired with an intrinsically safe Android smartphone that has a Bluetooth connection.

"We designed the Searchzone Sonik to be easy to use and maintain. Every step - from choosing the right location for the detector, setting it up, testing it and scheduling ongoing tests - can be done easily and remotely," said Ritzberger. "You can even generate reports and test certificates for compliance measures, which reduces paperwork and administration time." as