After reflecting on this experience, I invite everyone to discuss the issue of preventing freezing in winter parking equipment
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After the shutdown during the Spring Festival in 2008, many of the equipment in the factory facility was damaged by freezing; pipes with a diameter of less than 3 inches, along with their gaskets, basically all burst, resulting in severe losses.
Freezing protection is required for water, circulating water, cooling water, water solutions that can freeze at ambient temperature, and materials. Methods to prevent freezing: keep the flow ongoing, ensure continuous drainage, or use circulation. Insulation is essential, but it doesn’t mean that freezing will not occur; as long as the fluid is at rest, freezing will happen after a short while. If it keeps flowing, it won’t freeze
Insulation and accompanying pipes are required, as well as continuous water flow
1. Stop all water pumps manually, open the valves at the pump housings to drain the water from within the pump chambers; otherwise, if freezing occurs and the pumps are started without knowing this, it could result in either the vehicle stopping or the motor being damaged. 2. For important equipment such as heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, and equipment shaft seals, remember to drain them at the lowest point.
It needs to remain in flow (with continuous water flow) and insulated; when not in use, the water should be drained completely
Everyone is welcome to come in and share their thoughts; it would be best if they could provide some specific experiences. Don’t be vague; everyone understands the principle – it’s about paying attention to the details. In the chemical industry, sometimes failing to notice a small detail can lead to major problems.
For short-term parking, it is better to keep the water flowing continuously or in a circulating mode； If parking for an extended period, it is better to remove the lower flange; sometimes it is also necessary to use air for purging. It is advisable to insert nuts or similar items between the flanges, as the water in the pipes cannot be completely removed in a short time. Additionally, open all valves on the pipes (especially ball valves).
If parking for a short period or not knowing when you will drive again, it is recommended to: 1. Circulate water in those pathways where freezing may occur at room temperature, while also installing electric heating and insulation measures; check these heating and insulation systems daily. 2. Inspect the heat exchange equipment to prevent other pipelines from freezing due to leaks in the heat exchange fins or tubes. It is best to blind-block the material pipeline. 3. Keep the anti-freezing drain flowing continuously, and check it regularly. In short, the work required for maintaining temperature during short-term parking must be done just as well as when the vehicle is in use. For long-term parking, it is recommended to: 1. Drain all water from the water system, including the circulation tanks and water reservoirs. Drain the water from the pipeline and purge it with compressed air. 2. At locations with flange connections, if there is concern that water may not be drained completely, it is recommended to disconnect them. 3. The steam pipeline is out of use, or the steam pipeline drain is kept open. Especially to prevent internal leakage in the equipment and valves, it is recommended to use blind plates, which should be removed again once operations begin. 4. It is recommended to keep the electric heating for water pipelines running; it doesn’t consume that much electricity. Keep the water circuit system dry; otherwise, equipment that uses water for cooling will also lack water. Don’t rely on luck, and don’t be afraid of wasting water. Water is cheaper than equipment, right?