Bombay Ammonia Refrigeration Company, New Delhi, Refrigeration Equipments
AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION Presented by: Trevor …...ammonia refrigeration systems include: • Cold...
Transcript of AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION Presented by: Trevor …...ammonia refrigeration systems include: • Cold...
AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATIONPresented by: Trevor Emsley
Safe Technical Systems. Everywhere.
WHAT WE DO
• License contractors• Certify individuals• Issue installation and operating permits• Approve design registration• Investigate incidents• Enforce• Audit• Inspect based on risk• Educate
AGENDA
• Qualities of Ammonia
• Exposure Limits
• Dangers & Flammability
• Incident Prevention & Response
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA
3 atoms of Hydrogen
(H)
1 atom of Nitrogen
(N)
Pure ammonia comes in two forms: gas and liquid
colourless
suffocating
odour
pungentpenetrating
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA
It is much lighter than air
If ammonia gas escapes from a refrigeration
system……it tends to collect in high areas or ceilings.
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA
Liquid Ammonia is a clear fluid that evaporates quickly
at room temperature
Ammonia Gas is easily liquefied under pressure
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA
LIQUID AMMONIA
1 LLiquid
Ammonia
High compression ratio = 1 to 800
800 LAmmonia Gas
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA
• Ammonia used in refrigeration systems is referred to as anhydrous ammonia
• It differs considerably from liquid ammonia used as a household cleaner; it is more toxic and dangerous.
• Anhydrous ammonia is used as a refrigerant at many industrial and recreational facilities.
Facilities that typically use ammonia refrigeration systems include:
• Cold storage warehouses and ice plants
• Meat, poultry, or fish processing centers
• Dairy and ice cream plants
• Arenas
• Fruit/vegetable juice and soft drink processing facilities
• Petrochemical facilities
AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION
Ammonia is the preferred refrigerant for cold storage facilities, and ice arenas.
The two primary factors for the use of ammonia are:• improved energy efficiencies, and• environmental restrictions of “freons”
AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION
DANGERS AND FLAMMABILITY
• Potential to aerosolize if released• Hydroscopic nature & risk of frostbite• Explosive hazard at certain concentrations• Lower flammability limits if contaminated with oil
QUALITIES THAT MAKE AMMONIA DANGEROUS
In refrigeration systems, ammonia is liquefied under pressure.BUT…liquid ammonia that is accidentally released… may aerosolize.So it will tend to initially move along the ground as a liquid then aerosolize.
This can put employees or members of the public at risk if there is an ammonia leak.
AMMONIA WILL AEROSOLIZE
Which means it readily migrates to moist areas of the body such as eyes, nose, throat, and moistskin areas
AMMONIA IS HYDROSCOPIC
This can result in frostbitesince its temperature at atmospheric pressure is –28ºF
Ammonia is extremely hydroscopic.
AMMONIA IS FLAMMABLE
<16%Pure ammonia vapours are NOT flammable at a concentration of less than 16%Explosion hazards exists
16-25%
Mixtures involving ammonia contaminated with lubricating oil from the system may have a much broader explosive range.
AMMONIA CAN BE CONTAMINATED
AMMONIA CAN BE CONTAMINATED
Oil contaminationreduced the lower
flammability concentration as low as
8%(depending on type of oil)
A study conducted to determine the influence of oil on the flammability limits of ammonia found that…
EXPOSURE LIMITS
5-50 PPM
AMMONIA EXPOSURE
Exposure Limits (ppm) Exposure Limit
25 ppm Maximum allowable concentration averaged over an 8 hour period
35 ppm Maximum allowable short-term exposure (15 min.)
See OHS Regulations sect. 5.1 for more information
Detectable by human sent
Uncomfortable for most people Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat
Intolerable after a few minutes.Difficulty breathing, burning sensation in lungs
EXPOSURE LIMITS
2,000 – 5,000 ppm
5,000 – 10,000 ppm
Respiratory spasm, Rapid Asphyxia
10,000 - 30,000 ppm
Immediately fatal
Can be fatal after a few breaths
FATAL EXPOSURE LIMITS
EXPOSURE TO GASEOUS AMMONIA
Low Concentrations
High Concentrations
Extremely High Concentrations
Headaches, loss of sense of smell, nausea, vomiting
Coughing, wheezing, damage to lungs
Can be immediately fatal
EXPOSURE TO LIQUID AMMONIA
Ammonia is Corrosive
May result in chemical-type burns to skin, eyes and lungs
May result in frostbite (boiling point is around -28˚C)
INCIDENT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
AMMONIA INCIDENTSPlant upsets, leading to the lifting of relief valves
Leaks in rotating seals
Leaky pressure relief valves
Faulty high pressure cut off
Pipeline failures
Vehicular traffic hitting pipes, valves, evaporators
DANGERS OF AMMONIA INCIDENTS
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS & OPERATORS
OPERATION & SAFETY MAINTENANCE PLANS
ELEMENTS OF OPERATION & SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLANS
WRITTEN WORK PROCEDURES
Contain Policies & Procedures
Reviewed Often
Accessible to Operators
Clearly Written
Amended when Required
TRAINING
Training of all supervisors & workers
Site specific training on operation and maintenance procedures
Conducting Emergency Drills
Fit testing of respirators and other emergency equipment
First aid training
TRAINING
REFRIGRATION PLANT OPERATORS
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION
ISSUED BYTSBC
TRAINING
REFRIGRATION PLANT
OPERATORS
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION
ISSUED BYTSBC
A refrigeration plant with refrigerant groups A1, A2 or B1 exceeding a total plant capacity of 200 kW prime mover nameplate rating
A refrigeration plant with refrigerant groups A3, B2 (ammonia) or B3 exceeding a total plant capacity of 50 kW prime mover nameplate rating
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS
Capture safety information from high-hazard “as-found” assessments
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS
Identify any non-compliance to the Act, regulation and adopted code requirements during construction or operation of a refrigeration system
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS
Identify any non-compliance to the Act, regulation and adopted code requirements during construction or operation of a refrigeration system
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS
Collect information through physical inspection and incident investigations
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS
Educate clients and the public about Technical Safety BC to better control risks
Conduct assessments
Take enforcement action when necessary
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS
AS FOUND HAZARDS
A hazardous condition which would likely have been left uncorrected if it had not been discovered.
• During each assessment of regulated work, safety officers rate and describe the most notable hazard, if any, found during the assessment.
• These are termed “as-found” hazards.
AS FOUND HAZARD RATING Rating Label Description
0 CompliantNo hazards were observed during the assessment and the work was found to comply with the codes and regulations.
1 InsignificantThese hazards are considered to be typical and are not considered topresent a significant concern to safety.
2 MinorDuty holders are encouraged to improve so as to prevent these from being created as a result of their work.
3 Moderate
These hazards are considered to present and appreciable concern to safety. The safety system is considered compromised if duty holders do not take steps to understand and prevent these hazards.
4 Major These hazards are known to present considerable safety risks. The safety system of qualified and licensed professionals working under permit to recognized codes and standards is considered to have failed when hazards of this nature are found.5 Severe
HAZARD MAP
HAZARD RATINGHazard Rating: 3 – Moderate Pressure relief valves are required to discharge to a
safe location.
The assessment found that……the ammonia condenser pressure relief valves
were discharging 7 feet above ground level and in the direction of the machinery room air inlet louver.
• In event of a discharge this could cause • an unsafe discharge to atmosphere.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
Move laterally & upwind
Move inside to shelter
Move towards someone with proper PPE so they can help you to safety
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING
According to OHS Regulation 5.97 (1)
“A workplace must have a written emergency plan, appropriate to the
hazards of the workplace, that addresses the requirements of
sections 5.98 to 5.102.”
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING
According to OHS Regulation 5.97 (2)
“The plan must address emergency conditions which may arise from within the workplace and from
adjacent workplaces.”
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING
According to OHS Regulation 5.97 (3)
“The plan must be developed, implemented and annually reviewed
in consultation with the joint committee or the worker health and
safety representative, as applicable.”
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
The Safety Standards General Regulation Section 34 (2) requires that
“The owner of a plant must report an incident to the
Regulatory Authority”
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
All incidents must be reported to
Technical Safety BC immediately
Phone:1-866-566-7233
Online Form:TechnicalSafetyBC.ca
SUMMARY
Qualities of Ammonia
Exposure Limits
Dangers & Flammability
Incident Prevention & Response
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The database will help the industry reduce the likelihood of identity falsification and improve enforcement against non-compliance. This also provides proof of your qualification for current or prospective employers.
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