Safety Advisory: Effects of additives in anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks or delivery tanks (Transport Canada)

In 2017 and 2019 I wrote about these Nitrogen Stabilizers and how their introduction into a PSM/RMP covered process would require a MOC and PSSR and I broke down the potential concerns and questions regarding these additives.  Now it seems there may be a Mechanical Integrity twist to the use of these additives, as Transport Canada has issued a Safety Advisory about using additives with anhydrous ammonia in tanks.

Recently, Transport Canada has seen evidence that some of the additives added into anhydrous ammonia tanks have led to CORROSION of tanks and components and gumming or fouling of pressure relief devices and valves. On occasion, this gumming or fouling has blocked the flow of the anhydrous ammonia, requiring users to open these components, which could lead to an accidental release of anhydrous ammonia. There is also concern that some of these additives can lead to stress corrosion cracking in older tanks.

 

NOTE: in the USA we were assured these additives would not have any impact on the mechanical integrity (members can see the videos in my 2019 article)

Safety Advisory

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