Honeywell has launched the MicroRAE gas monitor, its first wireless four-gas monitor that operates with all major wireless communications protocols, including Bluetooth, Mesh, GPS, and Wi-Fi. The MicroRAE also can be paired with an intrinsically safe smartphone (available from Honeywell) to transmit gas readings over a cellular network.
“Extending wireless gas monitoring capabilities to include the broadest range of communications platforms in a single device will enable companies with wireless and non-wireless infrastructures to reap the benefits of real-time monitoring and remote safety management,” says the firm’s Thomas Negre.
For those that already have a Wi-Fi or mesh network, MicroRAE will extend their capabilities by ensuring continuous wireless coverage; for example, when a worker goes beyond the network range or otherwise can’t connect to the network, the worker’s smartphone will continue sending gas monitoring data, location and Man Down status to the real-time monitoring software. And for customers that don’t have a wireless network, MicroRAE gives them a way to start experiencing the benefits of real-time, wireless gas monitoring without the cost and perceived complexity of setting up a network.
Real-time, wireless gas monitoring allows remote stakeholders to view critical information within seconds, from anywhere, so they can respond quickly and assuredly to mitigate or prevent safety incidents and process malfunctions.
Practical applications extend to carrying out a man-down rescue or plant egress with greater confidence and better outcome or identifying an equipment malfunction in its early stages so costly downtime can potentially be averted.
Both the wireless and non-wireless versions of the detector are the first of many Honeywell Analytics products to feature Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This capability is enabled by apps on the smartphone, the first of which is Honeywell’s Safety Communicator, which pushes gas readings, location and other data from the detector to Honeywell’s ProRAE Guardian software. Through ProRAE Guardian, remotely located safety managers can view information from plant locations in real-time and respond proactively to safety incidents in their earliest stages of development.
The MicroRAE monitors H2S, CO, O2 and combustible gases (LEL) in its standard four-gas configuration. There is also a sensor configuration of LEL, O2, CO and HCN available, making the unit suitable for a wide range of applications including waste water treatment, manufacturing, utilities and telecommunications, firefighting, construction, petrochemical/chemical, confined spaces and various industries with toxic and flammable gas hazards.
