Gas & Flame Detection:

Liquified Natural Gas Fueling Stations

Public and private fleet vehicles continue to migrate to use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed
natural gas (CNG) as this cleaner-burning fuel also offers lower fuel costs and lower emissions. Given the
rapid growth of LNG fueling stations needed to fuel these vehicles, use of gas and flame detection products
is necessary to manage these facilities safely due to potential methane leakage.

Application
Natural gas, a mix of hydrocarbons, is converted to a liquefied state through purification and cooling (-260°F [-162°C]) processes.
The liquid state is preserved by cold storage within fuel tanks that are located within fueling station containment areas. These tanks
are resupplied via tanker trucks periodically, as generally no pipelines service LNG stations. LNG is then directly pumped into individual
LNG fueled vehicles such as heavy trucks and buses. Alternately, the LNG may be also dispensed in a process known as Liquefied-
Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) whereby the LNG is pumped to high pressure in its liquid form then flowed through a vaporizer
to regasify the gas at high pressure to fill CNG storage tanks. Both techniques rely on LNG as the storage state of natural gas with
the difference being that LCNG regasifies before filling the vehicle´s CNG tank.
Natural gas leaks can result in a vapor cloud explosion if the vapor cloud (produced by warmed, dispersed natural gas) is confined
and an ignition source is present. A pool fire may also result if a liquid leak ignites.
Gas & Flame Detection: LNG Fueling Stations

Many fueling stations are located within public areas; as a result there is a requirement for installation of both gas and flame detectors
to address public safety concerns. Specifically according to the newest global standard ISO 16924 for natural gas fueling stations, the
LNG filling stations area shall be equipped with leak and flame detection systems with detectors installed in defined hazardous
places. In addition, EN 13645 Standard for the design and construction of smaller onshore stationary liquefied natural gas (LNG)
installations, stipulates in Clause 6 that "Consideration shall be given to the installation of fixed leak detection systems with executive
action to stop the leak source, to isolate relevant sections of plant and shutdown sources of ignition in the vicinity."
Although use of LNG and CNG as fuel for fleet applications is similar, the general properties affecting safety are different. These details
are specified within the second global standard for natural gas fueling stations ISO 16923 covering CNG stations for fueling vehicles.
The standard is inclusive of all equipment from the LNG storage tank filling connection up to the fueling nozzle on the vehicle.

General Guidelines for Locating the Gas & Flame Detectors According to ISO 16923/16924
LCNG stations that supply natural gas and have on-site
containment areas must be protected by methane gas detectors.
They should be installed above the locations where gas from
leaks is most likely to be found. As a minimum:
• one methane detector shall be placed at each of the LNG
dispensing areas,
• a suitable number of methane detectors shall be placed
at locations within LNG containment areas to provide coverage
of all potential sources of gas leaks, and
• special attention shall be given to the LNG offloading
installations as area for high probability of leaks in case of
damage to equipment.
If the natural gas delivered through LNG vaporizer to the LCNG
gas fueling dispensers is not odorized, then a methane detection
system should be installed. The detectors should be also located
where gas accumulation might be expected in the event of a
leak which includes dispensing area, storage cylinders and
enclosed CNG compressors locations.
Flame detectors shall be installed to provide coverage of the
LNG fueling station, including the cryogenic part of the LNG
fueling station, the dispensing area and other places where
a risk of ignition exists. They should be pointing downward
so the front of the detector is perpendicular to the area it’s
meant to be protecting.

Typical LCNG Fueling Station Layout*

1. LNG OFFLOADING SKID Combustible Gas Detector
2. LNG STORAGE TANK Ultrasonic Gas Leak Detector
3. LNG VAPORIZER
Flame Detector
4. LNG PUMP SKID
5. LNG DISPENSER
6. HIGH-PRESSURE VAPORIZER
7. CNG STORAGE
2
8. COMPRESSOR 2 5
9. CNG DISPENSER
9

3
3 6

4
4

7
1
8

*Detectors selection and their location is determined by user.

MSA offers a flame and gas mapping service to assist with detector placement.
MSA Fixed Gas & Flame Detection Solutions for Natural Gas Fueling Applications
Combustible Gas Detection
ULTIMA® X5000 XIR Plus PrimaX IR
Gas Monitor Gas Transmitter
Infrared Point Detector Technology
Sensors based on infrared (IR) absorption alerts when the
optical path is blocked, provide immunity to poisoning and
have no reduction in sensor life from repeated exposure to
gas. As a result they have an increased lifetime and provide
additional stability over time in natural gas applications. It
should be also considered that dusty environments with
high humidity, may require more frequent maintenance.
ULTIMA® X5000 PrimaX P
Gas Monitor Gas Transmitter
Series 47K Gas Sensors
Catalytic Combustion Technology
Catalytic sensors offer simplicity, accuracy and relatively low
unit cost in a single-point methane detector. Catalytic
sensors have always been robust, as well as easy to install
and use (provided they are not used in areas where sensors
can be poisoned or inactive due to contamination or there is
a risk of prolonged exposure to high concentrations of
combustible gas).
Flame Detection
FL4000H Flame Detector
Multi-Spectrum IR Technology
MSIR technology measure radiant energy in multiple discrete
infrared spectral regions. It provides the best overall
sensitivity to methane fires along with the highest level of
immunity to infrared radiation. Therefore Multi-spectrum IR
detectors allow greater area coverage than other flame
detector technologies. They perform under various
environmental conditions and offer fast response time.
FL500 UV/IR Flame Detector
UV/IR Technology
UV/IR flame detectors are well suited for both indoor and
outdoor use. The combined UV/IR flame detector offers
increased immunity over either sensor type. They provide a
fast response time and increased false alarm immunity
against sources of radiation. However, detection range may
be reduced by the presence of dirt, dust, fog, and heavy
smoke.
MSAsafety.com
 Combustible Gas
Leak Detection Controllers

Observer-i Ultrasonic SUPREMATouch 9010/9020 SIL

Gas Leak Detector Controller Controller

Ultrasonic Detection Technology Fixed Gas & Flame Detection Controllers

Unlike conventional gas detectors that
measure % LEL, ultrasonic gas leak
detectors respond to the ultrasonic
noise created by a pressurized methane
gas leak. This ultrasonic noise provides
a measurement of the leak rate and
establishes warning and alarm thresholds.
It is ideally suited for LCNG compressor
and storage tanks installations having
pressure range of 200-300 bar, providing
an additional layer of instant methane
leak detection.
MSA controllers provide maximum flexibility, simple operation and high reliability.
The controller ensures that a local alarm is provided to notify responsible personnel
for the safety of the natural gas fueling station, and required ESD actions are triggered.
In combination with MSA detectors, it is the first choice for natural gas leak and
flame detection system applications. MSA offers controllers to help users meet SIL
compliant design with higher safety function to increase the protection level
important for LNG facilities. Controller solutions can be tailored for various sizes
of facilities including systems for fueling stations.

Questions about sensor placement?

MSA’s gas and flame mapping service combines 150 years
of gas detection experience with 3D technology to help you
maximize the effectiveness of every sensor.

Check out the link or scan for more information:

MSAsafety.com/gas-mapping

Note: This Bulletin contains only a general description of the products shown. While product uses and performance capabilities MSA operates in over 40 countries
are generally described, the products shall not, under any circumstances, be used by untrained or unqualified individuals. The
products shall not be used until the product instructions/user manual, which contains detailed information concerning the proper worldwide. To find an MSA office near you,
use and care of the products, including any warnings or cautions, have been thoroughly read and understood. Specifications are
subject to change without prior notice.
please visit MSAsafety.com/offices.

0700-114-MC / 12.2019
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