PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AT LEAST ONE CONCENTRATION OF A GAS IN A MONITORED AREA

Abstract

A process and a system for monitoring at least one concentration of a gas in a monitored area includes generating data by a mobile gas measuring device (3a), whose position in the monitored area is determined or is known and transmitting the data directly or indirectly to a central data processing unit (1). The data are compared with at least one limit value, and an information signal is outputted by the at least one mobile gas measuring device and/or by the central data processing unit in case of an undershooting or overshooting of the limit value. The monitored area is divided into at least two zones (8) and zone-specific parameters are assigned to the zones. A functionality of the mobile gas measuring device is set and/or changed based on the current position of the gas measuring device and based on at least one of the zone-specific parameters.

Claims

1. A process for monitoring at least one concentration of a gas in a monitored area with the following steps: generating data by at least one mobile gas measuring device, which is located in the monitored area, based on a gas concentration measurement and transmitting the data to a central data processing unit; comparing the data generated based on the gas concentration measurement with at least one limit value and outputting an information signal as a function of an undershooting or overshooting of the limit value by the at least one mobile gas measuring device or by the central data processing unit or by both the at least one mobile gas measuring device and the central data processing unit; detecting a current position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device; diving the monitored area into a plurality of zones and setting zone-specific parameters for each of the plurality of zones; and setting or changing or setting and changing at least one functionality of the at least one mobile gas measuring device based on the current position of the gas measuring device and based on at least one of the zone-specific parameters.

2. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the functionality set or changed or set and changed comprises one or more of: a sensitivity; an operating mode; a limit value stored in the at least one mobile gas measuring device; a type of alarm generation; an alarm output loudness; and a setting of a display unit of the at least one mobile gas measuring device.

3. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one mobile gas measuring device outputs information upon the at least one mobile gas measuring device being moved from one zone into another zone.

4. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the a central data processing unit includes an interface; and a data transmission is started or ended between the at least one mobile gas measuring device and the interface of the central data processing unit based on the current position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device and based on at least one of the zone-specific parameters.

5. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein a calibration procedure or test procedure is started or ended in the at least one mobile gas measuring device based on the current position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device and based on at least one of the zone-specific parameters.

6. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein a firmware update or a software update or both a firmware update and a software update is started or ended based on the current position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device and based on at least one of the zone-specific parameters.

7. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein a stationary localization module is arranged in at least one zone of the monitored area and the stationary localization module transmits an identification signal specific of the zone in which the stationary localization module is arranged.

8. A process in accordance with claim 7, wherein: the identification signal is received by the at least one mobile gas measuring device or by a gateway, via which the at least one mobile gas measuring device transmits data to an interface of the central data processing unit; and information on the position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device or on the zone in which the at least one mobile gas measuring device is located or both on the position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device and on the zone in which the at least one mobile gas measuring device is located is added to the data transmitted from the at least one mobile gas measuring device, directly or via the gateway, to the interface of the central data processing unit based on the received identification signal.

9. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein a data transmission from the at least one mobile gas measuring device to an interface of the central data processing unit takes place via a gateway arranged stationarily in the monitored area; and the gateway adds information, on the position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device or on the zone in which the at least one mobile gas measuring device is located or both on the position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device and on the zone in which the at least one mobile gas measuring device is located, to the data transmitted by the at least one mobile gas measuring device.

10. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein: at least one stationary gas measuring device is arranged in the monitored area; the stationary gas measuring device generates data based on a gas concentration measurement and transmits the data to an interface of the data processing unit; the data generated based on the gas concentration measurement are compared with at least one limit value; and an information signal is outputted as a function of an undershooting or overshooting of the limit value by the at least one stationary gas measuring device or by the data processing unit or by both the at least one stationary gas measuring device and by the data processing unit.

11. A process in accordance with claim 10, wherein the information signal is transmitted to the at least one mobile gas measuring device.

12. A process in accordance with claim 10, wherein a localization module is arranged at the stationary gas measuring device and the localization module transmits an identification signal specific of the zone in which the stationary gas measuring device is located.

13. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein the zone-specific parameters are set by taking into consideration one or more of: light and noise conditions prevailing in the assigned zone; and a contamination of the air with dust; and vapor, gas, and gas mixtures to be expected to be potentially present in the zone; a hazard potential; an accessibility; plants and plant parts present in the zone; and tools needed for work in the zone.

14. A system for monitoring at least one concentration of a gas in a monitored area, the system comprising: a mobile gas measuring device configured to provide gas concentration-specific measured data; a data processing unit configured for establishing a unidirectional or bidirectional connection between the data processing unit and the mobile gas measuring device for data transmission; and a position determination unit for determining a current position of the at least one mobile gas measuring device, wherein: at least one of the mobile gas measuring device and the data processing unit comprises a control unit; at least one of the mobile gas measuring device the central data processing unit is configured to assign the current position of the gas measuring device, which is determined by the position determination unit, to a spatially demarcated zone of the monitored area; the control unit is configured to initiate at least one of a change in a setting of a functionality of the mobile gas measuring device and a change of a device parameter of the mobile gas measuring device based on a zone in which the mobile gas measuring device is located.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a stationary gas measuring device arranged in the monitored area, the stationary gas measuring device being configured for a unidirectional or bidirectional data transmission with at least one of the mobile gas measuring device and the central data processing unit.

16. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein data are exchanged unidirectionally or bidirectionally between the stationary gas measuring device and the mobile gas measuring device via the central data processing unit.

17. A system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising at least one of: a localization module configured to transmit an identification signal, which is specific of the zone in which the localization module is located; and a gateway by which data that contain at least one of information on at least one of the position of the mobile gas measuring device and on the zone in which the mobile gas measuring device is located can be transmitted to the central data processing unit, is arranged in the monitored area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In the drawings:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for monitoring the concentration of at least one gas or gas mixture in a monitored area of a production site;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing different zones of a production site; and

[0038] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a change in the operating mode in a mobile gas measuring device on the basis of the detection of a change from one zone into another.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 schematically shows a system for monitoring the concentration of at least one gas or gas mixture in a monitored area of a production site, here a refinery, at which different chemical media are processed, conveyed, produced and/or transferred, especially in the liquid or gaseous form. The system shown schematically is suitable for monitoring the atmosphere in a plurality of work areas of the production site with respect to the presence of toxic gases or vapors, combustible or explosive atmospheres or an oxygen deficit. The monitoring system being shown has mobile and stationary gas measuring devices (3a, 3b), with which the concentration of individual gases or gas mixtures is detected and corresponding data can be transmitted to a central data processing unit 1 of a control room of the production site.

[0040] Both mobile and stationary gas measuring devices 3a, 3b are used as gas measuring devices for monitoring the production site shown schematically in FIG. 1. Mobile gas measuring devices 3a are used mainly for the protection of the people working in the work areas as well as for the clearance measurement of confined spaces and they have suitable sensors in order to detect the concentration of gases or gas mixtures, which are present in the respective work area or may occur in a hazardous concentration. Further, the mobile gas measuring devices 3a have, on the one hand, elements that inform the user of the device in the case of a limit (threshold) value violation or generate an alarm for him and, on the other hand, they have a unit, which makes possible, at least from time to time, the direct or indirect transmission of the generated data to a suitable interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1.

[0041] The stationary gas measuring devices 3b monitor above all special areas or plants in the monitored area of the production site for the presence of toxic, combustible, low-oxygen, high-oxygen or potentially explosive gases or gas mixtures in order for an alarm generation to be able to take place as rapidly as possible and for countermeasures, e.g., the avoidance of a hazardous situation, the avoidance of an incident or, if necessary, the putting of a plant out of operation, can be taken as rapidly as possible. The stationary gas measuring devices 3b have for this purpose a sensor or a plurality of sensors. The measured data generated continuously or intermittently are passed on for further processing to a suitable interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1 in the control room of the production site and they are processed there either immediately or after an intermediate storage in a central memory 4.

[0042] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the data generated in the different gas measuring devices 3a and 3b are transmitted to a suitable interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1 in a wireless or wired manner. The data are stored intermediately at least partially in a central memory 4 within the central data processing unit 1 and are analyzed by means of a data analysis unit 2.

[0043] It is essential for the system shown in FIG. 1 that the production site is divided into a plurality of zones 8 and zone-specific parameters are assigned to the individual zones 8 as a function of the conditions prevailing there and as a function of the necessary safety measures. As will be explained in more detail below, at least one functionality of the mobile gas measuring device 3a can be changed or adapted in a specific manner on the basis of a determination of the location at which a mobile gas measuring device 3a is located, of the assignment of the location to one of the zones 8 and of the zone-specific parameters set for the respective zone 8. A change is thus brought about in the system behavior in a suitable manner by means of the solution according to the present invention by taking into consideration the respective position of at least one mobile gas measuring device 3a, on the one hand, and different zone-specific parameters of the zones 8 of the production site, on the other hand, for the operation and/or for the selected operating mode of the mobile gas measuring device 3a. A location-dependent change in the functionality of a mobile gas measuring device 3a can always be carried out in a short time and adapted to the local conditions and needs.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows in a schematic view a system according to the present invention for implementing a process for monitoring the concentration of gases and/or gas mixtures at a production site. The production site has been divided into different zones 8 as a function of the conditions and safety requirements prevailing there. The corresponding zones 8 are stored in the central data processing unit 1. Zone-specific parameters, which take into consideration, for example, the light and noise conditions prevailing in the assigned zone 8, the expectable contamination of the air with dust and/or vapor, gases or gas mixtures to be potentially expected to be present in the zone, a hazard potential, an accessibility, plants and plant parts present in the zone and/or tools, measuring devices and/or qualifications needed for work in the zone, are assigned to each of these zones 8.

[0045] Furthermore, location-specific information, i.e., information on the respective location of a gas measuring device, is transmitted for each mobile gas measuring device 3a, preferably with the generated measured data or other data, to the central data processing unit 1. The transmission of the location information may take place directly from a mobile gas measuring device 3a to an interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1 or else via an intermediate transceiver unit 9, e.g., a mobile phone. Gateways 7, which may be integrated, for example, into a stationary gas measuring device 3a or into a transmitter unit, and via which data are transmitted from a mobile gas measuring device 3a located within the range to the interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1 and are enriched with information on the respective location of the mobile gas measuring device 3a, are provided in some areas of the production site. As an alternative or in addition, mobile transceiver units 9, especially mobile phones, with gateways 7 are used in order to add information on the location at which the respective mobile gas measuring device 3a is located to the data transmitted from a mobile gas measuring device 3a.

[0046] Information on the location of a mobile gas measuring device 3a is thus always available in the central data processing unit 1, so that a zone 8 with the at least one zone-specific parameter valid for this zone 8 can be assigned to the corresponding location. Functionalities and/or device-specific settings or parameters of the mobile gas measuring device 3a are set, adapted and/or changed now corresponding to the conditions prevailing in the zone 8 and to the applicable safety requirements on the basis of the at least one zone-specific parameter. It is possible in this manner, for example, to carry out a selection of the type of alarm generation, a setting of a limit value or threshold value, a setting of the measurement to be carried out, a selection of the sensor to be used and/or a performance of any possible updates adapted to the zone 8, in which the mobile gas measuring device 3a happens to be located. Messages on a change of the zone 8 can likewise be outputted to the device user and transmitted to other people and/or to the control room of the production site.

[0047] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so-called implicit zones 8 are set. Mobile gas measuring devices 3a, gateways 7 or other mobile or stationary devices enrich the transmitted data in the implicit zones 8 with information in relation to the location of a mobile gas measuring device 3a, and the information on the location of the mobile gas measuring device 3a is provided by a localization module 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Such a localization module 10 is embodied by a hardware component, e.g., a Bluetooth module; it is positioned stationarily on site and it continuously transmits an identifier, which contains information on the location. An implicit zone 8 is thus formed around the localization module 10 within the transmission range, and generally different information can be added to the data finally transmitted by the mobile gas measuring device 3a.

[0048] According to a special embodiment, a mobile or stationary gateway 7 receives the location information from a localization module 10 arranged in a zone 8. The data transmitted via the gateway 7 are then enriched with this information. The range of the localization module 10 can hereby be extended by the range of the gateway 7. According to this embodiment, the information on the location is thus not present in the mobile gas measuring device 3a itself, but it is made available by the localization module and is transmitted by the mobile gas measuring device 3a together with the data generated by the mobile gas measuring device 3a to the closest gateway 7. The data, which are now enriched with the location information and are processed in this manner, can be transmitted from here to the interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1. It is not necessary according to this technical solution for the gateway 7 to receive the identifier itself, which is transmitted by the location module 10, because the mobile gas measuring device 3a enriches the transmitted data with the location information.

[0049] According to another embodiment, it is conceivable that a gateway 7 is used itself as a localization module 10. It is possible now especially in case of stationary gateways 7 to do without an additional hardware component and to assign the information on the respective zone 8 and hence on the location of a mobile gas measuring device 3a, which transmits data via the gateway 7 at least indirectly to the interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1, permanently to the gateway 7.

[0050] In addition to implicit zones, explicit zones are, furthermore, provided. Explicit zones are characterized compared to implicit zones by the fact that these are set in the monitored system via a defined set of location information. For example, a central coordinate is set here within the zone, e.g., by means of a GPS module, and the outer edges of the zone are set by a radius or boundary points as a polygon, likewise as a function of GPS coordinates. The coordinates are preferably stated in the GPS format, but it is also possible to use equivalent coordinate formats.

[0051] A plurality of zones 8, which may be implicit or explicit zones, are stored in this manner in the central data processing unit 1. Furthermore, a data transmission takes place either directly from a mobile gas measuring device 3a or via a gateway 7 to the interface 5 of the central data processing unit 1, which interface is intended for this purpose, wherein the transmitted data are enriched with information on the location of the mobile gas measuring device 3a. A comparison is then carried out in the central data processing unit 1 between the location of the respective mobile gas measuring device 3a and the existing zone information, so that each mobile gas measuring device 3a can finally be assigned to a zone 8. On the basis of the zone-specific parameters defined for each zone 8, the current functionality of the mobile gas measuring device 3a is then checked in order to be changed or adapted as needed in case of changing needs and conditions. If it is determined in the central data processing unit 1 that a mobile gas measuring device 3a is located in one of the zones 8 defined in the system, it is possible to note the location in the central data processing unit 1. Taking this determination into consideration, data, which are transmitted from this zone 8 to the central data processing unit 1, are not, for example, taken into consideration or are processed in a prioritized manner, especially in order to carry out a special action, e.g., the generation of a special alarm signal or an alarm analysis, and/or to perform a masking of certain data, especially personal data.

[0052] It is, furthermore, conceivable to notify mobile gas measuring devices 3a depending on the assigned zone 8 by the central data processing unit 1 that a change from one zone to another has taken place and hereby to notify the device user of the change from one zone to another and/or of a change of an operating mode having taken place.

[0053] It is thus possible to change over the operating mode as needed in an automated manner in the mobile gas measuring device and thus to adapt the functionality of the mobile gas measuring device to the conditions and to the safety requirements of the respective zone as needed. The procedure of changing over an operating mode, in which a mobile gas measuring device is operated, during a change from one zone to another is shown in FIG. 3 in a flow chart. It is possible, for example, in this connection that the mobile gas measuring device 3a is brought into a maintenance mode when a safe zone is reached, alarms are not outputted acoustically via the gas measuring device and/or that blocking functions provided in the devices, which functions are triggered by elapsed checking intervals, are not active any longer.

[0054] Further, it is possible to set at least one test zone. in which a mobile gas measuring device 3a is switched to a special testing mode, in which the device 3a changes automatically over into a testing and/or calibration mode. In addition, special functionalities, e.g., a configuration mode, are conceivable, so that the mobile gas measuring device 3a receives a software update or a firmware update in certain zones only.

[0055] As is shown by the above explanations, the present invention makes it possible by a division of a production site into specific zones 8 and by the assignment of zone-specific parameters for the respective mobile gas measuring devices 3a used to be operated as needed depending on their location in one of the specified zones 8 and on the conditions existing here and on the applicable safety requirements. A mobile gas measuring device 3a can be switched in this manner rapidly and reliably to the respective operating mode, so that the functionalities of the mobile gas measuring device 3a, which are needed in a zone 8, are achieved, without the device user himself having to take any action for this purpose. The safety for the user of mobile gas measuring devices 3a is markedly increased by means of such a system without essential interventions having to be made for this purpose in the hardware of the mobile gas measuring devices 3a.

[0056] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. [0057] 1 Data processing unit [0058] 2 Data analysis unit [0059] 3a Mobile gas measuring device [0060] 3b Stationary gas measuring device [0061] 4 Central memory [0062] 5 Interface of the data processing unit [0063] 6 Internal memory [0064] 7 Gateway [0065] 8 Zone [0066] 9 Transceiver unit [0067] 10 Localization module [0068] 11 Control unit of the mobile gas measuring device