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Company’s emergency response plan for liquid ammonia leaks

2009-03-06View Original

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Company’s Emergency Response Plan for Liquid Ammonia Leaks 1. Symptoms of liquid ammonia leaks: When there is a leak, large amounts of smoke are emitted from the site of the leak, and the surrounding area is filled with a strong, irritating odor; The equipment and pipelines at the leakage site become cold and freeze severely. II. Causes of liquid ammonia leakage 1. Damage to the liquid ammonia storage tank ; 2. Leakage due to poor sealing of the outlet valve of the liquid ammonia storage tank ; 3. The connected hose is damaged and leaking ; 4. Leakage due to poor sealing at the connection between the hose and the fitting ; 5. Leakage occurs due to poor sealing at the installation sites of various connectors and pressure gauges. III. Measures for dealing with liquid ammonia leaks: Report to the Wuliangye Group’s fire department immediately: (external line) 3565119, (internal line) 119, and then report to the relevant departments and supervisors at the Push Group in accordance with the established procedures. And take immediate action: 1. Evacuate people to the upwind area and isolate them there until the gas has dissipated or the leak is under control ; 2. Cut off the source of fire; if necessary, cut off the power supply in the contaminated area. 3. Turn on the outdoor fire-fighting water supply and start spraying it. 4. Emergency responders should wear specialized gas masks and gloves designed for liquid ammonia as they enter the site to investigate the cause. 5. Take measures to cut off the gas supply, or dilute the remaining gas in the pipeline and discharge it through a vent line. 6. The use of tools that generate sparks and motor vehicles is strictly prohibited in the leakage area; in severe cases, the use of communication devices should also be banned. 7. Personnel involved in the rescue should wear protective gloves and special gas masks designed for liquid ammonia. 8. Evacuees should escape against the wind and cover their mouths and noses with a wet towel, mask, or clothing. 9. The poisoned person should be immediately taken to a well-ventilated area for emergency treatment, and the relevant professional agencies should be notified. IV. Handling of leaks in liquid ammonia storage tanks: Liquid ammonia storage tanks are manufactured by specialized producers before being put into use, and they undergo strict inspections by safety authorities; therefore, the possibility of leaks is low. Liquid ammonia is also to be transported only by qualified personnel and vehicles. It is important to note that when the liquid ammonia tank is transported to the site and during the unloading of liquid ammonia, the tank must not be subjected to severe impacts; rubber buffers are necessary, and the tank should also not be exposed to direct sunlight. 1. Treatment of liquid ammonia storage tanks: The possible cause of leakage at the outlet valve of a liquid ammonia storage tank is leakage in the packing of the valve. The procedure is to wear a protective mask and gloves, use fire-fighting water as cover to shut off the valve at the exit; if leakage persists, it is necessary to keep applying water until the leakage stops completely. 2. Handling of leaks in the connection pipelines: For leaks that occur after the liquid ammonia storage tank, it is necessary to first close the outlet valve of the tank before dealing with the leak at the connection point; if the leak persists, fire-fighting water must be used for long-term suppression. V. Preventive Measures 1. Precautions for handling liquid ammonia tanks with forklifts. 1) The liquid ammonia tank for loading is operated by forklift operators from the storage and transportation department, with on-site operators required to provide supervision at the location. 2) When lifting, forklift operators should handle the load gently; collisions are strictly prohibited, and liquid ammonia tanks must not be left exposed to the sun. 3) When filling the liquid ammonia tank, the operator should check whether the accessories are in good condition, whether there is any damage to the valve connections, and whether everything is secure after connection. 2. Precautions for lifting and assembling pressure relief valves on liquid ammonia tanks 1) Personnel handling liquid ammonia must be familiar with its physical and chemical properties ; The maintenance fitter is responsible for lifting and installing the pressure relief valve, while the operator must be on site to supervise and assist the fitter with the lifting process ; The tank baffle must be reliable to prevent rolling. 2) During lifting, it must be handled gently; it is strictly prohibited to open the valve when it is inverted. 3) When handling pressure relief valves, first ensure that the valve has no leaks and no unusual odors; also, wear appropriate protective equipment (gas mask, insulated gloves) while working. 4) After installation, gently open the outlet valve, and the on-site operator uses pH test strips (alkaline) to check for leaks. VI. Provision of on-site protective equipment: fire-fighting water (including misting nozzles), protective clothing, air respirators, protective gloves, special gas masks for liquid ammonia, first-aid supplies, etc. 1. Protective equipment: fire hoses, water guns (fog nozzles), special wrenches for fire hydrants, protective gloves, and gas masks designed for liquid ammonia. Fire extinguishing agents that can be used include: fogged water, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon disulfide, and sand. 2. Environmental requirements: Open flames are strictly prohibited in areas with liquid ammonia. 3. Personnel requirements: 1) The operators must be familiar with the physical and chemical properties of liquid ammonia and must carry out their tasks in strict accordance with the established procedures. When connecting (disconnecting or installing) liquid ammonia cylinders, the operators must wear gas masks, and there should be no fewer than two persons present to handle any leaks that may occur” ; Familiar with emergency response procedures, capable of handling liquid ammonia leakage incidents promptly and effectively ; Firefighters must wear gas masks and protective clothing. Extinguish the fire from upwind. 2) Storage and transportation precautions: It can be stored in a cool and well-ventilated warehouse, away from sources of fire and heat, and protected from direct sunlight. It should be stored separately from substances such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and acids. Handle with care during transportation to prevent damage to the gas cylinder and its valve. VII. Health hazards of leaks 1. Routes of exposure: inhalation, frostbite. 2. Health hazards: Inhaling low concentrations can irritate the mucous membranes, while high concentrations can cause tissue necrosis due to dissolution, leading to chemical pneumonia and burns. 3. Acute poisoning: In mild cases, it manifests as irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, along with rhinitis, laryngitis, and tracheitis ; There may be burns to the cornea and skin. In severe cases, laryngeal edema, glottic stenosis, shedding of respiratory mucosal cells, and airway obstruction leading to asphyxiation may occur, along with toxic pulmonary edema and liver damage. Ammonia can cause respiratory arrest. If it gets into the eyes, it can cause clouding of the lens, corneal perforation, and even blindness. VIII. First aid measures 1. Move the patient to fresh air. 2. Call 120 or another emergency medical service. 3. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. 4. If breathing difficulties occur, oxygen therapy should be administered. 5. Remove and isolate the clothes and shoes contaminated by the subject. 6. If the skin or eyes come into contact with this substance accidentally, rinse them immediately with clean water for at least 20 minutes. 7. Keep the patient warm and quiet. 8. Closely monitor the patient’s condition. 9. Delayed reactions may occur upon contact with or inhalation of this product. 10. If the patient inhales or ingests such substances, do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If artificial respiration is required, a one-way valve pocket mask or another appropriate medical breathing device should be used. 11. Ensure that medical staff are aware of the substances involved in potential accident hazards and take self-protection measures.

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