Crowcon keeps workers safe at Dow Corning

Crowcon has provided 65
portable gas detectors to
protect personnel at Dow
Corning’s manufacturing
plant in Barry, south Wales.

The Triple Plus+ IR detectors
are used by maintenance
contractors during crucial
operational site shutdowns.

As silicone is present in
the manufacturing process
and can interfere with
conventional sensors, it was
necessary for the detectors to
have infrared (IR) capability
as IR sensors are unaffected
by silicone. Crowcon also
provided linearisation of the
IR sensor for pentane and
provided a bespoke hydrogen
sensor.
According to Kevin Reid
of Dow Corning’s analyser
group, ruggedness was a key
factor in the choice of gas
detector supplier. “We issue
the instruments to off-site
contractors, which means
they pass through many pairs
of hands in a short space of
time,” he explained.

“Without a sense of
ownership on the part of the
user, they can get some
pretty rough treatment. The
Triple Plus+ units are
hardwearing and require
little maintenance – they also
have an extremely reliable IR
sensor.”