Unformatted Attachment Preview
Ammonia Refrigeration
Risks and Response
DMM 615
Fall 2018
Priorities
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NO impact to the public
NO risk to emergency responders
Safety of the FD is absolutely #1
Accountability of facility personnel
and FD is vital to a successful
outcome
External Forces
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Natural Gas
Inert Gases-nitrogen etc.
Electrical explosion
Railroad
Truck impact
Airplane
Human error
Flammables/Fire
Other chemicals in facility
External Forces
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Terrorism
Sabotage
Anhydrous Ammonia
Properties, Uses, Hazards,
and Response
Physical properties
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Without water
Normal Boiling Point –28 °F
Saturation pressure 181 psia at 90
ºF
Density 35-40 lb/ft3 (L), 0.02-0.9
lb/ft3 (V)
Latent heat 450-600 BTU/lb
Freezing point –107.7 ºF
Exposure Limits
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PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit)
• 50 ppm (Federal)
• 35 ppm (NIOSH)
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IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and
Health)
• 300 ppm (Federal)
• 300 ppm (NIOSH)
Acute Toxicity of
Anhydrous Ammonia
Toxicology of Ammonia
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Anhydrous Ammonia is “without water”,
kept as a liquid under pressure.
When released expands to a gas phase or
“vapor”.
Is Highly Toxic due to its Corrosive effects,
similar to Lye (or Sodium Hydroxide)continues to penetrate tissues after
contact.
However, it is not a Systemic Poison, no
damage at the enzymatic level of cells
(unlike for example- Cyanide).
Upper Airway and Lung
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Direct tissue damage results in:
Swelling, spasm of the upper airway with
closure.
Sloughing of the tracheal lining with
inability to breathe.
Bleeding of tissue.
Direct Lung damage- airway spasm
(asthma), wet/leaky lungs (pulmonary
edema).
Poor Oxygenation, Lung Failure, Death.
Skin
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Second Degree Burns (skin red and
blistering) and Third Degree (full thickness
burns- leathery skin without feeling) are
not uncommon outcomes (see attached
photo).
Results in marked fluid loss, severe pain,
mechanical constriction (chest), shock and
infections (confirmed in animal studies).
3 Mechanisms: Cryogenic (-28°F),
Thermal, and Chemical. Simple flushing
with water cannot fully reverse these
effects and skin damage continues.
Eyes
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Burns to the Eyes and severe
corrosive damage can occur along
with pain.
Loss of vision and Eye globe loss can
occur.
Penetration of the eye by ammonia
can occur within 5 seconds- water
dilution is often ineffective.
Conclusions
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Anhydrous Ammonia has the potential to
produce Death or Serious Toxicity with
Long Term adverse effects.
Actual Exposures Clearly Shows the Acute
and Chronic Medical Effects Expected from
Significant Anhydrous Ammonia Exposure.
Ammonia Systems Designed to Prevent
Inadvertent Ammonia Release Saves Lives
and Reduces Serious Injuries.
Toxicity Levels
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5-50 ppm odor detected
50 ppm OK 8 hr (OSHA PEL limit)
1000 ppm SCBA with Level A suit
5000 ppm FATAL!!!
Unknown PPM- Always wear SCBA!!!!!
Highest respiratory protection
Flammability
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Small (nonflammable for transport)
Confined spaces = possible
Levels very high (160,000-280,000ppm)
Ventilation = safety!!
High ignition energy!!!
Oil or other entrained combustibles widen
flammable region (40,000-70,000)
Extended heat above 840 ºF = H2/N2
decomposition
Odor
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The best thing about ammonia is
that it stinks! – Milton Garland
Human-detectable at 5-50 ppm
Unpleasant
• Normal human reaction at 50 ppm is to
run
• Irritating-eyes tear/nose runs
• Possible panic hazard
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Excellent warning properties
Hazards of Compressed Gases
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Pressure release
Burns, cryogenic-frostbite
BLEVE
Asphyxiation
Toxicity-acute and chronic
Reactivity
BLEVE
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Boiling
Liquid
Expanding
Vapor
Explosion
Ammonia First Aid
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Skin contactFlush with large quantities of
water for at least 15 minutes while
removing clothing
InhalationRemove from exposure.
If breathing has stopped or difficult,
administer artificial respiration or
oxygen as needed.
Ammonia First Aid
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Eye contactFlush with large amount of water
for at least 15 minutes.
Always seek medical attention!!!
Hazardous Material Incident
Safety
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General Safety Considerations
Safety Do’s and Don’t’s
Establish Hazard Zones
(q)(2) Elements of an emergency response plan.
(v)
Site
security
and
control.
Hot
Line
Warm
Zone
Wind
Access
Control
Points
Contamination
area
Hot
Zone
Control
Line
Warm
Zone
Cold
Zone
Safety Rules
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Protect Yourself- Use Safe Approach
Identify Hazards
Secure the Scene
Obtain Further Aid and Assistance
Safe Site Entry
Types of Refrigeration Releases
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Typical
• Liquid lockup
between valves
• Seal/packing leak
• Relief valve release
• Poor pumpout
• Heating isolated
equipment
• Oil-draining errors
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Possible
• Pressure vessel rupture
BLEVE
• Explosion
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Released ammonia
Ammonia-oil mist
• Fire
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Refrigeration oil (high
flash point, though)
Flammable liquids and
gases, etc.
Electrical
Poor housekeeping
• Coil rupture-condensers
(indoor/outdoor)
• Ammonia delivery
Other releases
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Ammonia down drain
• Floor
• Storm
• Sanitary
• Retention Pond
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Pipe rupture
• Corrosion under insulation
• Forklift impact
Emergency Response
for Ammonia
Small leaks
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Personal Protective Equipment
Stop source
Stand upwind
Water spray/fog (NEVER on liquid!)
Contain runoff-watch drains
Disposal
• Clean,dilute = agricultural fertilizer
• Sewerable
• Keep away from water systems-rivers,
streams, ponds
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
TEAM ROLES
ERT ROLES
Command Post
◼ Location where all incident
operations are directed and
planning functions are performed
◼ ERT Room is Command Post (CP)
for internal incidents
◼ CP will be established at time of an
external incidents – Uphill, upwind
ERT ROLES
Command Post
◼ All ERT members will initially meet
in Command Post for briefing and
planning response
◼ One support person will remain at
the CP for documenting times &
actions taken
ERT ROLES
Emergency Response Team consists of:
◼ Incident Commander
◼ Safety Officer
◼ 2 Entry Responders
◼ 2 Rescue/Backup Responders
◼ 1 Decon Officer
◼ Support Personnel
ERT ROLES
Incident
Commander
Safety/
Medical
Entry
Team
Rescue/Back Up
Team
Decon
Team
Support
Members
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Site Control
1. Set up security and physical barriers
2. Minimize persons and equipment responding
3. Establish work zones
4. Establish control points
5. Conduct safe operations
6. Implement appropriate decontamination procedures.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Work Zones:
Hot Zone (Exclusion Zone)
Warm Zone (Contamination Reduction Zone)
Cold Zone (Support Zone)
HOT ZONE
WARM ZONE
COLD ZONE
Indoor releases
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Evacuate
Shut OFF
Ventilate or
Fog vapor releases only
NO CO2 / Vinegar
Be careful of explosion hazard
Outdoor releases
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Major issues
• Cloud dispersion
• Containment/runoff
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Evacuations typical for 1500 ft or so
• Mainly odor issue (panic)
• Also precautionary when amount not
known
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Water knockdown useful, if streams,
ponds protected
Ammonia-Fire Potential
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Boilers in Engine room
Poor housekeeping-combustibles
Oil drums
Spent ammonia/oil
Flammable liquids (gasoline, acetone
etc)
Flammable gases (ie propane,
acetylene)
Lift trucks and scissor lifts
B.S.A.F.E.
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Burns-thermal, chemical, cold
Striking objects-pressure, vehicle
Asphyxiation-acute, chronic
Falls-heights, foot level,roof,ladder
Energy-electrocution, air, hydraulic,
mechanical, steam, AMMONIA
Upwind and Uphill
Definition: the direction from which
the wind is coming.
ALWAYS WANT TO BE UPWIND AND
UPHILL!!!!
D.E.C.I.D.E. Process
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Detect hazardous materials presence
Estimate likely harm without
intervention
Choose response objectives
Identify action options
Do the best option
Evaluate progress
Scene Control Guidelines
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Set up perimeters quickly on arrival
Move people out of and away from
area
Gain control of access routes
Be prepared for shifts in wind
direction
Use appropriate resources for
perimeter control
Emergency Response Plan
Review
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Resources-Internal
Resources-External
Duties and Responsibilities of ER
Members
Mitigation and Control Techniques
Decontamination Procedures