Vandenberg Air Force Base Vapor Detection System

Customer:
ISCS
Epping, NH
603/689-8644
603/679-8501 Fax

Owner:
US Air Force
Vandenburg, CA

Project Size:
$75,000.00

Process Description
The project took place in the payload preparation facility for satellites at Vandenburg Air Force base in California. The Air Force installed gas detection and monitoring systems. The system monitors potential fuel leaks of several vapors supplying alarms, shutdown of power and purge of the area depending on the levels monitored.

Project Description
FEC Technologies provided a central data acquisition and operator control system. This PLC based system interfaces with vapor detection sensors for hydrazine (N2H4), monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) and displays the data in parts per million on MMI screens at a central location. The operator can monitor both data and status of purging equipment that is located in the potentially hazardous locations. Alarms are both displayed and printed whenever levels are outside the safe ranges. A remote station also provides integration of alarms for the fire detection system.

FEC Technologies scope of supply:

• Complete system design and integration
• Design and build two (2) explosion proof control panels for the hazardous areas
• Design and build the PLC control panel
• Program PLC for process monitoring and control
• Provide the PC and network interface
• Program MMI display screens and alarm reports

System Components

• Explosion proof enclosures with operators and indicators
• Control panel with Modicon PLC
• PC with color monitor and alarm printer
• Citect MMI software
• Panalarm Annunicator panel