Multi-Spectrum (Triple IR / UV-IR) Optical Flame Detector

High-Speed Optical Surveillance for Flash-Fire Mitigation

In high-risk environments like fuel loading docks, turbine rooms, chemical storage vaults, and oil refineries, standard smoke or heat detectors are fundamentally inadequate. If a pressurized hydrogen gas line fractures or a fuel tank breaches, a high-velocity flash fire can erupt and scale out of control within seconds, long before thermal energy reaches a ceiling-mounted thermistor or smoke drifts into an optical chamber. An Optical Flame Detector serves as a specialized line-of-sight safety solution, monitoring the speed of light to detect an ignition source the exact millisecond a flame enters its wide field of view.

The device operates by continuously scanning the surrounding atmosphere for specific radiant emissions. When organic substances carbon and hydrogen burn, they release unique electromagnetic wavelengths. Hydrocarbon flames emit intense energy spikes at the $4.3\ \mu\text{m}$ infrared band (caused by excited carbon dioxide molecules) and clear signals in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Our premium detectors feature a multi-spectrum sensor configuration, housing up to three separate infrared sensors (Triple IR / $IR^3$) or a combined UV/IR matrix behind an optical sapphire window. An internal microprocessor samples these incoming light waves, continuously evaluating wave flickering frequencies, intensity thresholds, and spectral correlations. By checking these data points across multiple light bands simultaneously, the detector can distinguish an actual fire from industrial false alarm sources like bright sunlight reflections, hot machinery glare, or grinding sparks.

Core Optical Sensing Configurations

To match specific fuel hazards (hydrocarbon vs. non-hydrocarbon) and outdoor environmental constraints, the system is configurable in two primary optical formats:

1. Multi-Spectrum Triple Infrared ($IR^3$)

• Long-Range Shielding & Solar Immunity: Employs three distinct infrared sensors tuned to separate absorption bands. One sensor reads the core $4.3\ \mu\text{m}$ fire frequency, while the other two monitor background reference wavelengths. This setup enables the device to pierce thick oil mist, smoke, and water spray, providing a detection range of up to 65 meters ($200\text{ ft}$) with total immunity to sunlight.

• Best For: Outdoor fuel storage farms, offshore drilling decks, and large hangar bays.

2. Combined Ultraviolet / Infrared (UV/IR)

• High-Speed Dual Interlock: Combines a highly sensitive solar-blind UV sensor with a dedicated IR sensor. The internal logic triggers an alarm only when both sensors register a match at the exact same instant, offering a fast response speed ($<50\text{ milliseconds}$).

• Best For: Indoor chemical vaults, hydrogen gas generation plants, and ammunition storage facilities.

Key Performance Features

• Explosion-Proof Heavy Armor: Housed in a heavy-duty, copper-free cast aluminum or Grade 316 stainless steel explosion-proof enclosure, fully certified to ATEX / IECEx Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous area standards.

• Integrated Optical Self-Test (Built-in Integrity): Automatically tests the internal electronics, sensor alignment, and the cleanliness of the sapphire window every 10 to 15 minutes, triggering a fault code if the window is obscured by oil or dust.

• Heated Optical Sapphire Lens: Outfitted with an internal, low-power heating element behind the lens window to automatically prevent condensation, ice buildup, and frost formation in cold environments.

• Flexible Tri-Mode Output Interface: Equipped with internal Form C dry-contact relays (Alarm, Fault, Auxiliary), a standard 4–20mA analog loop, and an RS-485 Modbus communication link for direct integration into fire alarm panels or PLC control networks.

• $100^{\circ}\text{ Expansive Field of View}$: Features a wide optical cone coverage zone ($100^{\circ}\text{ Horizontal} \times 90^{\circ}\text{ Vertical}$), minimizing the total number of detectors required to cover a large mechanical room.

Ideal Infrastructure Applications

• Petrochemical Refineries & Fuel Loading Racks: Rapidly detecting open gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel fires before ambient heat triggers overhead deluge piping.

• Aircraft Hangars & Aerospace Facilities: Monitoring massive floor areas for sudden aviation fuel ignitions while ignoring overhead lighting glare.

• Power Generation Plants & Gas Turbine Enclosures: High-speed scanning around high-temperature machinery lines and high-voltage transformer yards.

Technical Performance MatrixEngineering Metric ParameterMulti-Spectrum Triple IR (IR3) ProfileCombined UV/IR System ProfileSensing Technology Core3 $\times$ Independent Pyroelectric IR Sensors1 $\times$ Solar-Blind UV + 1 $\times$ IR SensorStandard Detection RangeUp to 65 Meters ($200\text{ ft}$) for a $1\text{ sq ft}$ gasoline fireUp to 30 Meters ($100\text{ ft}$) for a $1\text{ sq ft}$ gasoline fireResponse Time SpectrumTypical 2 to 5 Seconds (User adjustable delay)Fast Flash Response $\le 50\text{ Milliseconds}$Field of View Cone$100^{\circ}\text{ Horizontal} \times 90^{\circ}\text{ Vertical}$$90^{\circ}\text{ Horizontal} \times 90^{\circ}\text{ Vertical}$Enclosure Ingress RatingATEX/IECEx Explosion Proof / IP66 / IP67ATEX/IECEx Explosion Proof / IP66 / IP67Operating Input Supply24V DC Baseline Nominal (18V DC to 32V DC)24V DC Baseline Nominal (18V DC to 32V DC)Compliance CertificationsFM 3260 (Flame Detection) / UL Listed / CEFM 3260 (Flame Detection) / UL Listed / CEStandard Procurement Package Components

• Explosion-Proof Intelligent Optical Flame Detector Unit

• Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Multi-Axis Swivel Mounting Bracket

• Weather Shield Canopy Cover (For outdoor high-sunlight or rain locations)

• Factory Calibration and Non-Destructive Explosion-Proof Test Certificates

• Optional System Add-ons: Long-Range Wireless Field Test Lamps (for tool-free testing from the ground), Hart Communication Modules, and Marine-Grade Gland Entry Connectors (Sold Separately based on project hazardous area classification)