Defense Diving

SOLUTIONS

Analox’s off-the-shelf products are designed to monitor oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), helium (He), hydrocarbons, temperature, pressure and humidity.

In addition, our bespoke design capability ensures our expertise is the first choice for specialist gas monitoring.

A number of our monitors are now NATO-coded. Our systems generally provide one or more of the following life-safety functions for diving environments:

• Analyzing the output from air compressors to detect contaminants in breathing air – ACG+, CO Clear
• Monitoring decompression chamber gasses and environmental parameters (depth, temperature, humidity) – SDA Range, ADM Aspida
• Monitoring breathing gas delivered to saturation and air divers – SDA Range
• Detecting pre-anaesthetic concentrations of hydrocarbons in the diving bell – Hyper-Gas MkII
• Monitoring the levels of carbon monoxide – CO Clear, ACG+
• Measuring contaminants in gas reclaim systems – SDA Range
• Verifying the correct mix of dive cylinders – O2 Portable, 

SATURATION DIVING

A successful diving operation depends on a comfortable, safe environment and accurate gas monitoring at every stage of the diving process. Whether this involves checking for hydrocarbons in diving bells, detecting gas leaks in the control room or monitoring oxygen in the decompression chamber, Analox has the solution…

SDA SATURATION DIVING ANALYZER

SDA is a range of panel/rack mountable atmosphere monitors designed for saturation diving. Each unit has a full color display, audio/visual alarms, optional data-logging and 4–20mA/relay outputs.

The SDA range of analyzers ensures that every aspect of a diver’s safety is being monitored while they are in saturation from gas delivery to the chamber environment. 

The modular design lends itself to being fully maintained by the operator in order to minimize downtime, as well as simplifying the through-life support of the system to maximize its operational life.

The SDA display panel is typically located in Sat or Dive Control, the individual gas or environmental sensors can be located in Sat or Dive Control (supplied by sample lines) or located within the hyperbaric environment.

SDA OXYGEN

Oxygen is one of the most critical parameters to monitor on any dive system, it is vital the divers receive the correct partial pressure (pp) of O2 in order to live and work comfortably while in saturation. Analox offers two O2 sensing technologies for the SDA:

• The electrochemical sensor version uses Analox’s state-of-the-art digital MEC electrochemical sensor to provide oxygen readings. It is normally located in Sat/Dive Control; the sensors can be located at the panel or in the chamber/bell. The SDA O2 is compliant with DNV, IMCA, Lloyds, ABS, and ADCi requirements
  
• The paramagnetic O2 sensor uses Analox’s state-of-the-art digital paramagnetic O2 sensor to offer enhanced accuracy when monitoring low concentrations of O2

Either version can be used for monitoring O2 concentrations in the:

• Decompression chamber
• Diving bell
• O2 delivered to divers through the umbilical
• O2 added to helium reclaim systems

SDA CO2 (CARBON DIOXIDE)

As a by-product of human metabolism CO2 should be carefully monitored in any dive system. The SDA CO2 is compliant with DNV, IMCA, Lloyds, ABS, and ADCi requirements. Carbon dioxide readings are taken from a fast response, accurate, dual-beam infra-red sensor, called the ‘Analox 5S3’. It is normally located in Sat/Dive Control, however if hyperbaric CO2 monitoring is required Analox would offer their unique SDA HYP O2/CO2, based on 30 years of experience in hyperbaric gas sensing.

SDA DEPTH

Diving chamber depth readings are used in combination with gas readings to calculate the partial pressures and thereby ensure the safety of divers. The accuracy offered by the SDA Depth is compliant with DNV, IMCA, Lloyds, ABS, and ADCi specifications. The SDA Depth display unit is normally located in Sat/Dive Control and its pressure sensor is mounted in the hyperbaric environment.

SDA CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon monoxide is highly toxic and can be tolerated only at very low levels in a dive system. CO can enter the dive system through a compressor; it could also be present in the delivered gas and metabolized by the diver in the chamber during operations. The SDA CO provides readings from a fast response, accurate, long-life digital electrochemical sensor. The SDA CO can be located either in Sat/Dive Control or at the compressor. For more accurate NORSOK & EH75/2 monitoring of CO, Analox offers the SDA CO+.

SDA CARBON MONOXIDE +

The SDA CO+ offers increased accuracy over the SDA CO by incorporating an advanced electrochemical cell which measures CO in parts per billion (ppb) instead of parts per million (ppm). The SDA CO+ complies with NORSOK 4–100, EH75/2 and BS8478 standards and can be located in the Sat/Dive Control or compressor.

SDA TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY

Temperature and humidity in a chamber or dive system have a significant influence on the comfort and well-being of divers. A relatively small change in temperature is hazardous due to the thermal conductivity of helium; high humidity can encourage microbial growth which may cause health problems. The SDA T&H monitor may be located in either the Sat/Dive Control or at the compressor interfaces. The SDA unit is connected to a dual temperature and humidity probe which may be located in either the chamber or the gas pipework.

SDA HELIUM

Helium is an expensive gas which is routinely salvaged from breathing air systems. Monitoring the purity of heliox in a reclaim system can improve both cost efficiency and diver safety. The SDA He is normally located in a helium reclaim area and used in conjunction with an SDA O2, which has the networking option selected.

HYP PORTABLE INDEPENDENT Oxygen (O2) MONITOR

Diving industry guidelines require that each hyperbaric chamber is provided with independent oxygen monitoring in the event of a primary gas monitor failing. The HYP is Analox’s portable, partial pressure O2 monitor designed for use inside the living chamber, hyperbaric lifeboat or diving bell. It is a compact, easy-to-operate device that accurately measures the partial pressure of oxygen (ppO2) within the hyperbaric environment.

HYPER-GAS MkII HYPERBARIC HYDROCARBON MONITOR

Small quantities of hydrocarbons in the diving bell can act as an anesthetic and create a potentially fatal hazard for divers. The Analox Hyper-gas MkII is a unique hyperbaric hydrocarbon monitor designed to rapidly detect the presence of hydrocarbons and alarm at pre-anaesthetic concentrations. 

The Hyper-gas MkII was designed in response to an incident in the North Sea, in which a diving bell was contaminated with hydrocarbons brought in from the seabed by a diver and is now recognized as ‘best practice’ within the commercial diving industry. It is also mandated by the Association of Oil & Gas producers (OGP) in their ‘411 report’. 

Analox Group are the only company in the world who can offer measurement of hydrocarbons in a deep sea dive bell to 300m under the sea, in 95% RH (Relative humidity).

SAFE-OX+ OXYGEN ENRICHMENT AND DEPLETION MONITOR

The Safe-Ox is ideal for ambient monitoring of gas storage areas in order to detect leaks of O2 or inert gas. The monitor comprises a wall-mounted main sensor unit and a repeater, complete with audio visual alarms. Analox’s use of a long-life sensor ensures the unit is simple to operate and maintain.

SURFACE-SUPPLIED DIVING

Analox gas monitors are used on hundreds of commercial surface-supplied (air diving) systems around the world. These enable customers to achieve IMCA compliance, benefit from minimal maintenance and put trust in their diving gas. Our surface-supplied diving product range is the most comprehensive in the world, yet we are aware that you may need something more specific, or a variation of an existing offering. 

Such experiences over the years have helped our products to evolve and ensured that we remain the number one choice. 

Analox gas monitors for surface-supplied diving range from personal oxygen monitors to multi-gas monitors that check the quality of compressed air at the point of delivery to comply with standards, including:

• BS EN 12021
• BS 8478
• DEF STAN 68-284
• US Navy Dive Manual
• NAVSEA SS521-AK-HBK-010

ACG+ MULTI-GAS COMPRESSOR MONITOR

The ACG+ is available as either a fixed or a portable monitor commonly used ‘inline’ on air compressors, and is the only compressed breathing air analyzer that meets DEF-STAN 68-284 standards.

As a continuous on-line monitor the ACG+ offers a significant opportunity for improvements in air sampling from the current practice of one-time colorimetric tube testing and periodic laboratory testing. 

The International Asociation of Oil & Gas Producers updated the 411 Report in January 2021, the ACG+ can assist you in compliance of the Appendix 1 update which states that real time analysis will be afforded to each diver.

The continuous monitoring approach with instant information on the quality of compressed air helps to minimize equipment downtime and maximize equipment availability – thus delivering better value for money. 

The ACG+ offers continuous monitoring of up to five different gas variables: 

• Oxygen (O2)
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Water vapor (H2O)

CO CLEAR CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous and potentially lethal gas, the effects of which increase with pressure as the partial pressure of CO increases. It can contaminate breathing air either by ingress through a compressor inlet, or via the compressor itself (as a result of poor maintenance). 

The CO Clear is installed inline on a compressor – after the compressor inlet but before the cylinders – to warn of potential CO contamination before it reaches the cylinders or users. A twin-stage regulator is recommended, to reduce the sample pressure down to between 1 and 3BarG before the main sensor unit installation. Optional extras include a relay which could be used to either switch off the compressor or sound a remote alarm.

O2 PORTABLE OXYGEN MONITOR

The O2 Portable oxygen monitor is a spot-checking device that measures the O2 concentration in oxygen and nitrox cylinders. It can also be used as a budget option for inline installation on air panels.

ADM ASPIDA OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE MONITOR

The ADM Aspida was developed in response to IMCA document DO23, in the commercial diving industry, which relates to diver safety. DO23 states that both CO2 detection and O2 monitoring (with alarms) are incorporated in surface-supplied diving systems. Analox would like to ensure surface supplied military divers benefit from this cost-effective product.

The ADM Aspida can also be used to analyze air quality from a portable decompression chamber, when provided with a sample line from the chamber. The ADM Aspida is designed to be operator maintained.