Ahead of its September launch, Desu Systems CEO Ronald Verkroost offers an exclusive preview of the Spectrex SharpEye 20/20Q EP flame detector 

Ahead of the planned launch of the Spectrex SharpEye 20/20Q EP, what demands and customer challenges influenced its development?

The biggest motivation was that the current model we were offering for the non-EX part of our business was becoming obsolete due to the availability of electrical components. However, once we realised this, we thoroughly evaluated the needs of our customers and, together with the manufacturer, created a wish list that led to the development of the new 20/20Q EP detector.

This perfectly suits key applications like offshore substations that require durable materials like EP along with DNV-GL approvals needed for that market. This was also a good opportunity to incorporate the latest QuadSense technology used in our EX flame detectors.

Other key applications include the mining industry, waste handling, light industries and warehousing.

What advantages does optical flame detection offer in industrial environments and where do you see the greatest opportunities for the 20/20Q EP?

Optical flame detection in non-hazardous environments, as in hazardous environments, offers fast and reliable flame detection over long distances, along with false alarm immunity, all at low cost.

Another advantage is that flame detection can be used both indoors and outdoors. In fact, it is the only means of fast detection in an outdoor environment that can detect small hydrocarbon fires at long distances.

How does the engineered polymer housing improve long-term performance and reliability for facilities with corrosion and environmental degradation conditions?

This new product is a game changer for such facilities. The new EP enclosure of the 20/20-Q EP detector was particularly selected for use in harsh environments like offshore, corrosive, humid and dusty locations, and the detectors are DNV-GL, FM and EN (performance) approved for these applications. As such, the enclosure and QuadSense technology are ideally suited to these environments.

How does the 20/20Q EP help end users and integrators achieve a balance between cost, performance and durability without compromising detection capability?

Since the 20/20Q EP detector uses QuadSense technology, it offers the fastest possible detection at the longest possible distance, combined with the highest false alarm immunity. While the previous non-EX models already had the best proven performance on the market, the new model outperforms the old model in many ways.

Although it incorporates the latest technologies, we have been able to maintain the final price at the same level as the previous model.

For non-EX applications there are currently no other non-EX QuadSense models available offering the same detection distances, detection speeds and reliability.

The real advantage of QuadSense is that the detector has four built-in sensors and the architecture and algorithm run simulations of two detection channels, each one representing a Triple-IR detector. This process enables the adaptive algorithm to combine the two channels into one certain decision. Since it is a digital process, it is now possible to detect fires faster, at longer distances and with the highest false alarm immunity. The biggest benefit is that fewer detectors are needed per installation. This means that the total cost of the overall system is significantly reduced.