Development of a Methodology for Toxic and Flammable Gases Sensors Positioning in Oil Platforms

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and mechanical systems optimization concepts are currently quite important tools for engineering problems analysis. A typical application of such tools is gas dispersion studies, a theme of great importance for the oil and gas industry. An important safety item for oil and gas production installations (especially oil rigs) is the use of flammable and/or toxic gas sensors to detect gas leaks capable of starting fires, explosions and causing toxic exposure. The Importance of these sensor rules may be evaluated if one considers all potential costs of compensations, environmental impacts, life loss and profit loss. This work presents the development of a computational tool that supplies optimum position and number for gas detectors in an oil platform. Associating CFD simulation results with coheren