Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

NFPA 497, Table 4.4.2. has become my “go-to” source for chemical-physical property data for my flammables (along with the SDS).  Although they use Celsius rather than Fahrenheit, and this drives me crazy just because I am “old school”, this table is instrumental for understanding the “Group” your flammable gas/vapors belong to!  In the 2021 edition…...

All new or modified chlorine piping systems must undergo pressure testing to verify the integrity of the piping (see section 11.4 for leak testing). ASME B31.3 (13.2.8 ), Process Piping testing requirements, should be applied as a minimum standard. There are three (3) types of acceptable testing methods: hydrostatic testing, pneumatic testing, and the alternate…...

Liquid chlorine has a very high coefficient of thermal expansion. Relatively small increases in liquid chlorine temperature can create enough pressure to cause a blocked-in section of piping to rupture or leak at the connections. A temperature rise from 14°F (-10°C) to 32°F (0°C), will expand liquid chlorine by 2%. However, in a contained volume,…...

Leak testing should be done once the piping system is completely assembled. The purpose of a leak test is to ensure all connections and components will not leak chlorine when pressurized. Leak testing is not a substitute for pressure testing. If the system was not disassembled and reassembled as part of the pressure testing and…...

The Chlorine Institute has revised its piping RAGAGEP and it is FREE for anyone who wants it.   Pamphlet 6 – Piping Systems for Dry Chlorine, Edition 17 contains major revisions to the following sections, in addition to minor clarifying changes throughout the pamphlet:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership...

PHMSA provides written clarification regarding the pipeline safety regulations found at 49 CFR parts 190–199 in the form of FAQs and other guidance materials. PHMSA is requesting public comment on a set of DRAFT FAQs that were developed by the Working Group that was established by the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee (GPAC) and the Technical…...

The RMP Amendments finalized on January 13, 2017, included a requirement for owners or operators of a stationary source to engage in emergency response coordination activities (40 CFR §68.93).  The regulatory text in 40 CFR §68.10(b) states that compliance with these activities must be completed by March 14, 2018.  Because the RMP Amendments were not…...

Program 1 eligibility under 40 CFR §68.10(b) is contingent upon the process NOT having had an accidental release of a regulated substance that led to offsite death, injury, or response and restoration activities at an environmental receptor within five years prior to the risk management plan submission. Additionally, as part of the hazard assessment required…...

As one of its core research focuses, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) is interested in refining its tools and methodologies to better characterize the fate and transport of hazardous contaminants during all phases of an emergency response. Atmospheric dispersion modeling is one tool that can be used for effective…...

If you’re installing/repairing/modifying your chemical process piping using ASME B31.3 and 31.5, these standards have some strict QA/QA requirements for who can make the welds to join the piping.  These welders MUST be qualified in accordance with ASME Code, Section IX, “Welding Qualifications.”  ASME Code, Section IX, Part QW-103.1, states that: “Each manufacturer or contractor…...