Many years ago I had an open debate with a “grandfather of refrigeration” on his turf in front of about 30 other refrigeration professionals and the debate was about “flange connections”, ASME B16, and TORQUE and how it all applied to covered processes regardless of what the HHC/EHS was, including anhydrous ammonia in a refrigeration process. “Torque” is a nasty word in the presence of many refrigeration professionals; so much that a trade group was lobbied to remove any mention of the requirement from their codes and standards (e.g. Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practice). The debate got rather heat with neither of us giving ground and the word remains a dirty word in the industry today – although some of my clients have decided B16 applies to their process. Not to say “I told you so” but here is EPA’s Region VI (Dallas, TX Office) take on torque and flanged connections…
Respondent is the owner or operator of the refrigerated warehousing and storage area. Respondent’s refrigerated distribution center includes a Program Level 3 covered process, as provided by 40 C.F.R. ยง 68.10(d). Respondent uses 74,000 pounds of ammonia (anhydrous), a regulated substance in an amount that exceeds the threshold quantity as part of its covered process at its distribution center. On March 29, 2019, at approximately 6:30 a.m. the gasket flange to Pump #1 on the Low Side Accumulator at the Distribution Center Engine Room failed causing a release of liquid anhydrous ammonia.