Chemical Engineering August 2023 - 44

Environmental Manager
Minimizing the Effects of VOCs and Reactive
Gases on Industrial-Grade LED Lighting
Chemical plants should not overlook the potential problems that can arise from
damaged or malfunctioning lighting fixtures
Fariyal Khanbabi
Dialight
I
t is no secret that many chemical
plants and industrial sites
are prone to harsh environmental
conditions that can wreak
havoc on equipment and lighting.
Because lighting directly supports
plant safety and operations, it is
among the most critical pieces of
equipment in any facility (Figure
1). However, vibration, excessive
heat, humidity and power fluctuations
are just a few examples of the
culprits that can chip away at the
lifespan and performance of safetycritical
lighting.
Constant vibration of continuously
operating heavy machinery
can violently shake lighting
fixtures apart, and conventional
lighting
ments and bulbs are among the
most vulnerable to damage due to
heavy vibration.
The high temperatures present at
industrial work sites can be a result
of anything from process equipment
and heavy-duty motors to molten
raw materials. If proper thermal
management and heat-resistant
components are lacking, excessive
heat will quite literally fry the electrical
components in fixtures that are not
specifically designed to hold up in
these conditions.
Moisture is also a constant problem
in many facilities, causing corrosion
and degradation of metal
structures, with salt spray being one
of the worst offenders. Highly corrosive
conditions can degrade fixture
components and hardware, compromising
the integrity of the light
fixture itself, as well as its secure
mounting. That means not only is
the fixture at risk of frequent failure,
but also of falling and hurting someone
or damaging other equipment.
Despite the best efforts of seasoned
electrical professionals, chemical44
Dialight
FIGURE
1. Industrial lighting is a critical part of any manufacturing site. However, aggressive environmental
conditions can cause damage to lights, which may often go unnoticed
sources with fragile filaintensive
environments are notorious
for unstable power conditions
- namely, in the form of surges and
sags caused by heavy equipment
startup and shutdown, along with
other conditions that cause power
to fluctuate. This unpredictability
can overstress power supplies that
are simply not built for these unruly
conditions. The constant voltage
fluctuations will cause excess heat,
eventually frying the internal circuitry
and causing unexpected and premature
fixture failure.
But among the most
elusive
causes of failure for plant lighting
performance - and among the
most difficult to protect against -
are volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and reactive gases. Not only
are these pervasive in facilities, but
up until recently, there were little to
no proven solutions to protect industrial
lighting from their impact.
While most of the time the presence
of VOCs goes completely
undetected, over time, these materials
can have a devastating effect
on lighting and facility safety
in two ways. First, they can be
highly volatile and prone to explosion
or ignition in the presence of
high heat or electric spark. Second,
they can cause chemical degradation
of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
and other electronic components,
resulting in color shifting or lumen
depreciation, which can affect visibility
and
the clear
of hazards.
Because VOCs are difficult to detect
and prevent in such severe environments,
many plants underestimate
the risk to employee safety.
Since up until recently technology
specifically designed to protect
against these effects didn't exist,
lighting fixtures were frequently
treated as cheap and disposable,
driving up facility and plant maintenance
costs.
Despite these challenges, with a
few strategies and identification of
the hazards present, plant managers
can choose lighting that is designed
to protect against these issues,
prioritizing employee safety
and ensuring the longevity of
their fixtures.
No facility is immune
VOCs and reactive gases are everywhere,
but concentrations can
be up to ten times higher in indoor
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