This past May an employee was filling a nurse tank with anhydrous ammonia and noticed a small leak at the hose coupling. He attempted to tighten the coupling and while doing so the coupling popped off and he was exposed to NH3 vapors.
This past week we got a “Factual Update” from the CSB on the Storage Tank Fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) Terminal. After reading this update I was puzzled as to why the facts as we know them to date did not drive OSHA to open a NEP PSM inspection of the facility. Granted their
One means of controlling ignition sources in Hazardous Locations (HAZLOC) is to “pressurize” the enclosure/cabinet. This is not usually a primary means of protection but is a fallback when a facility realizes that an electrical enclosure/cabinet is sitting in their newly recognized Class 1, Div 2 HAZLOC. So I get a panic e-mail about this
One means of controlling ignition sources in Hazardous Locations (HAZLOC) is to “pressurize” the enclosure/cabinet. This is not usually a primary means of protection but is a fallback when a facility realizes that an electrical enclosure/cabinet is sitting in their newly recognized Class 1, Div 2 HAZLOC. So I get a panic e-mail about this
UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED – say it again! UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED. Two simple and very clear terms that so many struggle with when it comes to Relief System Designs. Here is a horizontal discharge of a relief valve on an NH3 vessel. The discharge height is ~20′ but we can see how the gas is dispersing.
UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED – say it again! UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED. Two simple and very clear terms that so many struggle with when it comes to Relief System Designs. Here is a horizontal discharge of a relief valve on an NH3 vessel. The discharge height is ~20′ but we can see how the gas is dispersing.
This past week a small ice plant in São Luís – State of Maranhão, Brazil experienced what can only be described at a “catastrophic failure” of a pressure vessel. Details of what/how this happened are sketchy at best; however, the video shows us what anhydrous ammonia can do when it is “blocked-in”. I am assuming this
This past week a small ice plant in São Luís – State of Maranhão, Brazil experienced what can only be described at a “catastrophic failure” of a pressure vessel. Details of what/how this happened are sketchy at best; however, the video shows us what anhydrous ammonia can do when it is “blocked-in”. I am assuming this
This is an excellent video that takes us through the progression of an ammonia (CAT 2 Flammable Gas) explosion. A contractor working in the engine room reported the smell of ammonia @ 6:04 a.m. A maintenance worker entered the engine room at 6:24 a.m. and did not smell/see/notice anything unusual!!! I am guessing they did
One of the biggest flaws in the OSHA’s and EPA’s process safety standards is their expectations of how contractors are to be evaluated. Yes, of course, hiring contractors with good safety programs and good safety performance is CRITICAL, but way too many facilities are only looking at the safety numbers and programs. And that is
