Enobong Bassey

Electronic nose for gas sensing applications

Tin oxide (SnO2), Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and their composites were used to fabricate gas sensors (electronic nose) for sensing methanol, ethanol and other hydrocarbons. The sensitivity behavior of the electronic nose was studied in detail and a power model has been developed. The sensitivity shows a power law dependence with the gas concentration and exponential dependence with the temperature.

Integrating Human Factors (HF) into a Process Safety Management System (PSMS)

Human factors and process safety management (PSM) have become key factors in preventing exposure to both hazardous materials and major accidents. Therefore, comprehensive process safety management is required to address all aspects of human factors. Currently, there are several‐process safety management models all of which have some weaknesses with respect to the control of human factors inherent in the process industry. Moreover, there is as yet no universally accepted process safety management model that treats process safety management as an integral part of the management system. Therefore, a need has arisen to integrate human factors and the existing frameworks and models into a single integrated management system to ensure a holistic approach of control and a continuous learning system. This article identifies the missing human factors in the current system and describes an integrated process safety management system (IPSMS) model drawn from screening all existing PSM frameworks, while integrating the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). The model, which adopts the PLAN, DO, CHECK, and ACT framework, also outlines an implementation strategy. We conclude that IPSMS provides both a theoretical and a practical framework with which to manage, measure and analyse process safety management systems.

Sensitivity Variation of Nanomaterials at Different Operating Temperature Conditions

As development of oil and gas expand into very high-pressure and high-temperature reservoirs, there is increasing interest in the development of nanomaterials to withstand these severe conditions. This paper reports on the comparison of the temperature behavior of nanomaterials used in the sensitivity analysis of hydrocarbon gases. The nanocomposite of tin dioxide (SnO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were fabricated into sensor devices by the radio frequency sputtering method, and used for the characterization of the sensitivity behavior of methanol vapor. At different concentrations of the gases, the response of the sensor devices was analyzed at operating temperatures of 150–350 °C. Detailed analysis of the metal oxides thin film morphology and charge transportation of the sensor were collaborated with the response sensitivity in the target gases. Based on the behaviors of these nanomaterials, applications to oil and gas development could be adapted in residual petroleum reservoirs development.

Analysis of methanol sensitivity on SnO2-ZnO nanocomposite

This research reports on the sensing behavior of a nanocomposite of tin dioxide (SnO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO). SnO2-ZnO nanocomposites were fabricated into sensor devices by the radio frequency sputtering method, and used for the characterization of the sensitivity behavior of methanol vapor. The sensor devices were subjected to methanol concentration of 200 ppm at operating temperatures of 150, 250 and 350 °C. A fractional difference model was used to normalize the sensor response, and determine the sensitivity of methanol on the sensor. Response analysis of the SnO2-ZnO sensors to the methanol was most sensitive at 350 °C, followed by 250 and 150 °C. Supported by the morphology (FE-SEM, AFM) analyses of the thin films, the sensitivity behavior confirmed that the nanoparticles of coupled SnO2 and ZnO nanocomposites can promote the charge transportation, and be used to fine-tune the sensitivity of methanol and sensor selectivity to a desired target gas.