Aegex’s Intrinsically Safe Solutions for Escalating Chemical Incidents In the U.S.

Aegex's Response to Escalating Chemical Incidents in the U.S.

That the U.S. is fighting a raging war against rising chemical incidents is no longer a matter of speculation but a grim reality. Since 2021, the country has recorded over 825 hazardous chemical incidents that range from fires and explosions to harmful chemical incidents. These disasters have caused the death of at least forty-two people and injured at least 150 others, most of whom are employees of chemical plants and storage facilities.

Intrinsically safe solutions designed for the Zone 1 environments can help mitigate the catastrophic consequences of such incidents and ensure the safety of workers and surrounding communities. This blog discusses how Aegex Technologies has responded to rising chemical incidences with a full suite of intrinsically safe solutions./

Retracing the Cause of Chemical Incidents

Authorities reveal most of the reported incidents, such as fires, explosions, and chemical releases, can be attributed to the toxic lifecycle of fossil fuels. Specifically, hazardous chemical incidents are occurring with alarming frequency in the oil and gas, pesticide manufacturing plant, and petrochemical and plastics manufacturing industries.

In the oil and gas industry, most of the incidents occur at gas and oil extraction sites, pipelines, and refineries. In the petrochemical and plastic manufacturing sector, these catastrophes happen at facilities that use fossil fuel feedstocks to manufacture petrochemical products. Here are some of the causes of chemical incidents:

• Leaks and spills: One of the most common causes of chemical incidents is leaks and spills. These can occur due to numerous factors, such as equipment failure, corrosion, or ruptured containers. When highly flammable chemicals leak, it only takes a single ignition source to create a disaster in the form of fires, explosions, and toxic gas releases.

• Improperly maintained equipment: Another significant cause of chemical incidents is improperly maintained equipment. Over time, equipment used in chemical and manufacturing processes can degrade because of wear and tear, corrosion, and inadequate maintenance practices. It leads to malfunctions, leaks, and other failures that result in chemical releases.

• Aging infrastructure: Much of the chemical production, storage, and transportation infrastructures in the U.S. are aging. Older facilities and pipelines are more prone to leaks and failures, increasing the likelihood of chemical incidents.

• Human error: Human error is another common factor contributing to chemical incidents. Mistakes made by operators, technicians, or other personnel involved in handling, transporting, and storing chemicals can lead to accidents. These errors may include improper handling of equipment, failure to follow established procedures, miscommunication, fatigue, and lack of training. 

How Intrinsically Safe Solutions From Aegex Technologies Can Help Combat Chemical Incidents

In the realm of hazardous environments, safety is non-negotiable. Nowhere is this more urgent than in oil and gas and chemical processing plants, where the slightest spark or electrical discharge can trigger a chain of disastrous consequences. This is where intrinsically safe solutions from Aegex come in.

Aegex Technologies provides a full suite of intrinsically safe devices, including tablets and smartphones, certified as safe for use in hazardous locations where flammable gases, vapors, or dust may be present. These devices prevent the ignition of hazardous materials, reducing the risk of causing a spark that could lead to an explosion. Apart from reducing the mitigating against risks of chemical fires and explosions, Aegex's digital tools such as the NexVu IoT sensor and Aegex100M tablet can also offer the following benefits:

• Digital analytics for intelligent decision-making: Aegex's intrinsically safe tablets and IoT devices can collect vast amounts of data from various sensors and equipment in real time. This data can include temperature, pressure, flow rates, chemical concentrations, and more information. Workers can leverage digital analytics platforms to analyze the data and identify patterns, anomalies, and potential hazards. For example, abnormal temperature or pressure readings could indicate malfunctioning equipment or a leak. Early detection of such issues allows plant operators to take corrective actions that prevent incidents from occurring.

• Remote monitoring: Aegex digital solutions like NexVu use IoT connectivity to monitor equipment and operations remotely from safe locations outside hazardous areas. Remote monitoring capabilities allow for early detection of potential issues such as gas leaks, allowing for prompt intervention and the implementation of corrective actions without exposing personnel to dangerous environments unnecessarily.

• Predictive maintenance: Aegex solutions use IoT sensors and data analytics to monitor the health of crucial process equipment and detect potential hazards. They continuously monitor parameters such as temperature, pressure, and gas levels to identify anomalies and predict equipment failures, allowing for initiative-taking maintenance interventions. This initiative-taking strategy minimizes the risk of equipment malfunctions that could lead to chemical incidents.

• Improved communication: Aegex intrinsically safe communication devices such as the 100M tablet provide reliable and secure communication channels in hazardous environments where traditional devices may pose a risk of ignition. Enhanced communication capabilities enable quick and effective team coordination, allowing swift responses to potential hazards or emergencies. Real-time communication empowers personnel to share critical information, such as safety procedures, updates on equipment status, and evacuation protocols. Such capabilities can reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings and errors that could lead to accidents.

• Enhanced workflows for better compliance: Aegex digital solutions streamline workflows by digitizing processes and providing access to essential information directly on intrinsically safe devices. Personnel can use rugged tablets and smartphones to access digital work instructions, safety protocols, and regulatory guidelines. Digital workflows also facilitate data capture and documentation, enabling accurate record-keeping and audit trails to track safety procedures and compliance measures.

Aegex Intrinsically Safe Solutions Hold Key to Safe Work Environments