Boil-Off Gas (BOG) Pressure Monitoring

Improved stability visibility and anomaly triage

Pressure

Quick Overview

Problem

Boil-off gas pressure variations can develop due to thermal or operational effects and are not always continuously monitored at critical points.

Solution

SENSAiO pressure sensors monitor BOG pressure trends across LNG systems in real time.

Value

Improved visibility on vapor pressure behavior, supporting earlier detection of abnormal pressure conditions.

ATEX

Suitable for LNG hazardous environments (Zone 1–2), compliant with ATEX / IECEx requirements.

The Operational Challenge

In LNG systems, boil-off gas (BOG) is generated when a portion of the liquid LNG vaporizes due to heat ingress.

BOG management is critical for:

  • Maintaining tank pressure within operational limits
  • Avoiding excessive venting or flaring
  • Ensuring stable process conditions

Pressure in BOG systems is influenced by:

  • Heat transfer into storage tanks or lines
  • LNG temperature variations
  • Efficiency of BOG compressors or reliquefaction systems
  • Flow restrictions or control valve behavior

From a physical standpoint:

  • Vapor generation increases gas volume and pressure
  • Restricted flow or insufficient compression leads to pressure buildup
  • Pressure fluctuations may reflect dynamic system balance between generation and removal

Detection challenges include:

  • Pressure variations can be gradual or transient
  • Systems are distributed across large LNG facilities
  • Instrumentation may be limited to key points
  • Localized pressure effects may not be visible at system level

As a result, abnormal pressure behavior may not be immediately identified.

Why Pressure Monitoring Matters

Pressure is a direct indicator of vapor system behavior.

By continuously monitoring BOG pressure:

  • Baseline operating conditions can be established
  • Deviations from normal pressure ranges can be detected
  • Pressure trends can be analyzed over time

Typical interpretations include:

  • A gradual pressure increase may indicate increased boil-off or reduced gas handling capacity
  • A rapid pressure rise may correlate with operational upset or restriction
  • Pressure oscillations may reflect unstable control or compressor behavior

Pressure monitoring provides a direct and physically meaningful insight into BOG system dynamics.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO deploys wireless pressure sensors installed on BOG lines, storage tanks, or vapor handling systems.

Sensors continuously measure pressure and transmit data via LoRaWAN to a centralized monitoring platform.

The system provides:

  • Continuous pressure trend monitoring
  • Detection of abnormal pressure deviations
  • Alerts based on threshold exceedance or unusual patterns

It is important to clarify that:

  • SENSAiO is a monitoring-only system
  • It does not control BOG compressors or valves
  • It does not calculate boil-off rates directly
  • It does not replace pressure control or safety systems

The system supports operational awareness and investigation.

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
BOG pressure visibility Limited or centralized Distributed continuous monitoring
Detection of pressure deviations Delayed Earlier identification
Operational awareness Partial Improved through trend analysis
Troubleshooting efficiency Reactive More targeted using pressure data

ATEX Compliance and Safety

BOG systems handle flammable gas and are located in hazardous areas. SENSAiO sensors:

  • Are available with ATEX / IECEx certification for Zone 1–2
  • Are designed for gas handling and cryogenic environments
  • Can be installed on vapor lines and associated equipment

All equipment is delivered with appropriate certification documentation.

SENSAiO systems are not safety systems and do not replace pressure control systems, compressors, or regulatory safety requirements.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, MQTT, REST API

Gateways

Compatible with standard LoRaWAN gateways (Kerlink, Multitech, Cisco, etc.)

Systems

Integration with LNG monitoring and maintenance platforms

Deployment

Suitable for retrofit on existing BOG systems

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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