Installation location of the evaporative cooler in the ammonia refrigeration plant
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Recently, during the safety review of an ammonia refrigeration station associated with a chemical processing project, some experts suggested that evaporative cooling units should not be installed on the roof of the ice machine room. The reason given was that according to regulation 5.3.1.3 of petrochemical standards, process equipment of categories A, B, or C must not be placed above flammable gas compressors. In several ammonia refrigeration stations built so far, evaporative cooling units have indeed been installed on the roofs, and this arrangement has resulted in smooth operations and minimal heat loss; there have been no problems until now. Could some expert please explain this and resolve this confusion? Thank you! Also, if there is an ammonia refrigeration machine (greater than 150 Kw) designed specifically for Class A installations, can it be located in the same building as those Class A installations, without any fire separation requirements from other Class A equipment? Is that acceptable?
We have two factories, both located on the rooftops of buildings
Alas, in the past it was fine to build roofs according to building codes, but now everything has to comply strictly with petrochemical regulations, and that’s where the problems arise. . . . . . .
It is recommended to reduce the specification requirements in line with those for similar equipment or processes; such details should be included in the explanatory notes for the relevant specifications