Hazardous Location Enclosure Air Conditioners from EIC Cool Electrical Panels on Offshore Drilling Rigs

Executive Summary

Worldwide demand for oil and gas has continued to escalate in response to population expansion in developing markets. EIC Solutions helped an exploration and production (E&P) company in the Gulf of Mexico ensure electrical panel temperatures were at a safe level. Discover the challenges faced and the solution EIC experts came up with to help this E&P company.

Market

Oil & Gas, Drilling & Refining

Application

Temperature control for electrical control panels in Class 1 Division 2 locations on offshore drilling rigs

UL Standards

These Class 1, Div 2 units are third party tested to UL standards. These standards encompass UL's extensive safety research and scientific expertise.

The Challenge

An exploration and production (E&P) company in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry had a need to cool outdoor electrical control panels in their offshore drilling rigs and refining plants in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to cooling the panel enclosures, the solution had to be compatible with their IS Barriers (Intrinsically Safe Barriers) that are designed to ensure that only low voltages and currents enter the hazardous area and that ignition of the hazardous atmosphere cannot occur.

The company was interested in using an EIC thermoelectric air conditioner, however, at the time EIC did not offer a smaller unit that was Class 1, Division 2 outdoor rated.

The Approach to Success

EIC Solutions recognized the need for an explosion proof version of its popular 400 BTU air conditioner due to the possibly explosive gases and flammable liquids present on an off-shore oil rig. As a result, EIC developed a 400 BTU Class 1, Division 2 Outdoor Rated thermoelectric air conditioner for this hazardous location application. EIC’s Class 1, Div, 2 units feature:

Virtually Maintenance Free: No compressor, refrigerant, or filters
Rugged and reliable solid state air conditioner (no moving parts other than fans)
NEMA 4X construction (Type 304 stainless steel) for indoor or outdoor use
Mounts to purged or non-purged enclosures
Suitable for vertical or horizontal installations
AC power configurations, with built-in adjustable thermostat
Supplemental heating capability available
Mounting gasket and stainless steel fasteners included
Complete 12 month warranty
Optional condensate drip pan with fittings and drain tubing

Hazardous location models are designed for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A-D. These units have been certified by a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory to meet the requirements of Underwriters Laboratory UL STD 1604, UL STD 1995 and CAN/CSA C22.2.

The Results

For the oil and gas company, the temperature within the electrical panels on the company’s oil rigs can now be maintained at a safe level without the risk of explosion. For EIC Solutions, the 400 BTU Class 1, Division 2 Outdoor Rated thermoelectric air conditioner developed for this application has become a staple in EIC’s product line. It is now used by several companies in the oil and gas industries for this application.