PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Accent Systems has developed for Tecnalia and Petronor a bracelet to increase staff safety in refineries. It features a system that controls access to confined spaces, meaning it detects if the space is free of toxic gases and if the worker has access to them.
The bracelet is always located thanks to a system of markers located in the plant, which triangulate its position. In this way, if there is an evacuation, the system can control who has left the plant and who has not.
Another safety measure incorporated into this system is the gas detector. It works with a device placed on the operator’s chest and communicates with the bracelet when there is a gas leak. The bracelet will send an alert to the control center. It also has an emergency button.
This security system is made up of these 3 devices:
SECURITY BRACELET
This bracelet detects if the worker is authorized to enter a confined area and sends a signal to the central system informing that he/she is inside this space. It also consists of a panic button, a motion detector, an ultra-wide band, and Bluetooth Low Energy.
MARKER
It has two functionalities: the geolocation of the bracelets and the intelligent sensor; and the communication of all the information generated by both devices. In addition, the markers located at the entrance of confined areas manage entry permissions and help the security guard count how many people are inside the space, with a screen.
INTELLIGENT SENSOR
It is placed on the gas detector. When there are harmful gases, the detector whistles and vibrates, the sensor case detects the situation and sends a signal directly to the nearest marker. This marker sends the information to the cloud and it is redirected to the central control panel. In this way, a local detector becomes an online one.
HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS
It is a system to increase personal safety in refineries. It monitors in real-time the activity of workers to locate them at any time for possible emergency situations (for example: gas leak).
HOW WE DID IT
We developed the hardware, firmware, and mechanics of the security bracelet, the sensor case, and the marker. They were developed following ATEX regulations, which were managed by Accent Systems.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), NFC
Battery: AA/2 lithium battery (bracelet and intelligent sensor), AA lithium battery (marker)
Others: tricolor LED, accelerometer (bracelet and intelligent sensor), vibrator (bracelet), microphone (intelligent sensor)
THE CLIENT
Corporación Tecnalia was founded in 2001 with the aim of contributing to social and economic development through the promotion of technology.
STEP BY STEP
1. Consultancy
TECNALIA contacted Accent Systems looking for a customized beacon with ATEX certification. But once they explained their idea to us, we acted as a consultant to focus the project development in the right direction. After several meetings, we dismissed the option of using beacons and proposed the three devices that finally went to market.
After this first step, we began to develop the hardware and firmware of the security bracelet and the basic mechanics to start testing in the refinery.
2. Mechanical design
Once we had the results of the first tests in the refinery, we improved the hardware and firmware design, and created the final mechanics of the security bracelet. Here it is:
3. Intelligent sensor and marker
The first device was developed and approved, and all tests conducted. We then began to design the technology of the intelligent sensor and the marker: hardware, firmware, and design.
When these 3 devices were developed, the complete intelligent human security system was tested in the refinery.
