Laser as a Boundary: Guoke Hanhai Establishes a "Toxic Gas Protection Line" for Jinan Refining & Chemical

Between the factory areas of Sinopec Jinan Refining & Chemical, several overhead pipelines span public roads, transporting industrial gases containing hydrogen sulfide and methane every day. Below, vehicles flow continuously and pedestrians come and go. In the event of a leak, the "rotten egg smell" of hydrogen sulfide may be the final warning – this highly toxic gas can be fatal instantly at high concentrations, while methane can trigger explosions when exposed to open flames. With an invisible "laser defense line", Guoke Hanhai Laser Technology has built a 24/7 non-stop safety barrier for this road.

01. Project Background: The "Invisible Bomb" at the Factory Boundary

Two factory areas of Jinan Refining & Chemical are separated by public roads, and the overhead pipelines connecting them have become potential risk points:Dual threats of high toxicity + flammability: Hydrogen sulfide in the pipelines is a strong neurotoxin – low concentrations irritate mucous membranes, while high concentrations can cause coma and death. Methane, though non-toxic, is highly flammable and may detonate when its concentration reaches 5%-15% in the presence of sparks.

Traditional monitoring is inadequate: Point-type sensors on both sides of the road have limited coverage, leaving blind spots under the pipelines as "fish that slip through the net". They are also susceptible to interference from weather and cross gases, resulting in frequent false alarms that overburden operation and maintenance personnel.

Public safety is paramount: A large number of pedestrians and vehicles pass under the pipelines every day. If a leak occurs and spreads, the consequences could be catastrophic. In accordance with safe production requirements, a monitoring system capable of full-road coverage and precise leak identification must be established.

02. Solution Deployment: 11 Laser Devices Weave a "Three-Dimensional Protection Network"

Targeting Jinan Refining & Chemical's pain points, Guoke Hanhai deployed 11 sets of fixed reflective laser gas telemetry instruments, constructing a "ground-air collaborative" monitoring network:Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring: "Toxic Gas Catchers" for 500-Meter Road Section， In the area of the Second Catalytic Dry Gas and Liquefied Gas Desulfurization Unit, 5 sets of laser equipment are installed in pairs to form a ground "light barrier". The laser wavelengths they emit are precisely matched to the absorption lines of hydrogen sulfide, enabling the capture of micro-leaks within 100 meters. Even ppm-level gas seeping from pipeline interfaces can trigger an alarm in 1 second – more than 10 times faster than the human sense of smell.Methane Monitoring: "Explosion-Proof Sentinels" for 1000-Meter Pipe Gallery，The 6 sets of equipment in the flare gas transmission pipe gallery area are even more "versatile" – 2 of them are laser telemetry instruments dedicated to methane, with a monitoring distance of up to 1000 meters. Installed on the upper and lower layers of the pipe gallery, the laser beams extend parallel to the pipelines, conducting real-time monitoring like "scanners". Once methane leaks, subtle changes in laser intensity are captured instantly, preventing explosion hazards caused by gas accumulation.

Data cables of all equipment are connected to the catalytic operation room via 24-core optical fibers, and power cables are protected by explosion-proof boxes to ensure stable operation in complex industrial environments. On the screen of the monitoring center, the dynamic gas concentration along the pipelines is clearly visible. When the concentration exceeds the standard, an acousto-optic alarm is triggered immediately, and the leak location is accurate to the meter.

03. Technical Highlights: Why Laser Outperforms Traditional Equipment

The system's "outstanding advantages" lie in three core strengths:Zero false alarms: Laser has superior "fingerprint recognition" capability for gases, unaffected by water vapor, dust, or other gases. In tests at Jinan Refining & Chemial, even with other industrial waste gases nearby, the system can accurately target hydrogen sulfide and methane, completely solving the problem of traditional equipment "alarming at the slightest disturbance".Full coverage: The monitoring distance ranging from 100 meters to 1000 meters brings traditional blind spots such as roads under pipelines and pipe gallery gaps into the monitoring scope, achieving "all-coverage protection".Fast response: The 1-second alarm speed gains valuable time for emergency disposal. For example, once hydrogen sulfide leakage is detected, the monitoring center can immediately link with the road warning system to guide pedestrians and vehicles away from the dangerous area.

04. Safety Value: From "Factory Area Protection" to "Public Peace of Mind"

After the project was put into operation, the factory boundary safety of Jinan Refining & Chemical achieved three major upgrades:

Early risk detection: After a pipeline overhaul in 2024, the system captured a micro-leak of hydrogen sulfide at a flange interface. Maintenance personnel disposed of it promptly, preventing gas diffusion to the road.More efficient management: Laser equipment is maintenance-free and has a long service life, reducing operation and maintenance workload by 90% annually. This allows safety personnel to shift from "monitoring equipment" to "formulating emergency plans".Greater public confidence: Passersby on the road may not see the laser beams, but the system is invisibly guarding their safety, becoming a "trust bond" between the enterprise and society.

05. Industry Insight: Laser Technology Redefines "Factory Boundary Safety"

The practice of Jinan Refining & Chemical provides a new paradigm for factory boundary monitoring in petrochemical enterprises: when industrial facilities are adjacent to public areas, the traditional "protection within the wall" is no longer sufficient. It is necessary to extend the safety defense line to the boundary through technological means. Guoke Hanhai's laser monitoring technology, with its characteristics of "precision, speed, and full coverage", enables the harmonious coexistence of high-risk factory areas and urban life.In the future, this system will be connected to Jinan Refining & Chemical's smart safety platform, integrating AI analysis to realize leak trend prediction. Because we deeply understand that true safety not only needs to "prevent effectively" but also "foresee ahead" – this is the "responsibility report" that Guoke Hanhai writes with laser technology.