Hazardous Materials

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—hereafter referred to as “the authoring organizations”—are aware of malicious cyber…...

In an early post this morning, I discussed the need for “rain caps” and “weep holes” on our Pressure Safety Relief systems. And a dear friend and great ChemE reminded me that “weep Holes” are not just for draining rainwater. For example, this week I was working with an NH3 client, and I must state…...

Yes, we still need to consider drainage at the low point of our discharge piping, even with a “rain cap”. While a rain cap is designed to deflect direct vertical precipitation from entering the discharge lines/piping, it is not a hermetic seal. Over time, moisture can still enter the discharge piping through condensation, wind-driven rain,…...

At a poultry-processing plant, a worker (engineer) was responding to an ammonia leak from an air purger (equipment that removes air and other non-condensable gases from the refrigeration system to improve efficiency). He described the signs of the problem to a refrigeration mechanic over the telephone. While waiting for the mechanic to arrive, the worker…...

A worker on a contracted maintenance crew at an oil refinery partially unbolted a flange on a live crude oil heat exchanger. An undetermined volume of oil was released. Another worker, a refinery employee who participated in the incident response, was exposed to the resulting crude oil vapors, which are believed to have contained hydrogen…...

I have worked with three (3) organizations in the past 5 years on their efforts to make H2 an everyday fuel for household appliances, vehicles, and industrial fuels. Each project was a huge learning experience for everyone! But I am a lover of “codes” to establish the baseline design, construction, operation, and maintenance. I looked…...