Open-flame equipment and open-flame areas
Thread Content
In the petrochemical industry standards, Table 4.2.12 specifies the spacing requirements for buildings and structures outside process units; these requirements apply to areas where open flames are present. Note 2 states that the fire separation distance between process units or facilities that may emit flammable gases and the open-flame heating furnaces used in those process units should be determined in accordance with the fire separation distances specified for areas with open flames. And an open-flame heating furnace is a type of open-flame equipment. Does this mean that the requirements between all such open-flame equipment and the surrounding buildings are to be considered in accordance with the regulations for open-flame areas? In the layout of the device, only open-flame equipment is indicated without any specified locations for such open flames. So when considering the layout of the device, should the locations for open flames be determined based on the open-flame equipment? I’m dealing with a factory where the temperature in the sulfur melting furnace reaches 800°. The furnace is covered with a layer of refractory bricks on the outside. I’m treating it as a device that operates with an open flame – is that correct? Is it also because of the refractory bricks outside the sulfur melting furnace that it can be considered as a regular piece of equipment? The sulfur dioxide gas after combustion passes through 6 air coolers, where it is cooled step by step using air. The temperature in the first 3 air coolers remains above 400 degrees, while it drops to 70° by the time it reaches the 6th air cooler. So, should these first 3 air coolers also be considered as devices involving open flames? Open-flame locations: Fixed locations indoors and outdoors where there are exposed flames or hot surfaces. What temperature above does this scorching surface temperature refer to?
It is a sulfur incinerator rather than a non-melting sulfur furnace; a sulfur incinerator should be considered a device that uses an open flame. How can a air cooler be classified as a device with an open flame if there is no open flame present? A so-called open flame requires fire; without fire, there is no such thing as an open flame source or open flame equipment.
It cannot be considered an open flame, but the temperature must exceed the ignition temperature of flammable materials; it still needs to be treated as a fire source. Do you understand?
First, how does a sulfur melting furnace melt sulfur? Are there any exposed flames, viewing ports, explosion-proof doors, or anything of the kind? , if there is any, I think it’s an open-flame device. Second, the temperatures of the first 3 air coolers are still above 400, which exceeds the ignition temperature of many flammable materials. Is this air cooler also exposed to the air? In that case, I think it is also a open-flame device.
It should be classified as a device with an open flame rather than a point of open flame.
The locations where an open flame is present and where sparks are generated are fixed locations, and the distance from other equipment and facilities should be considered in accordance with 4.2.12. The devices within the apparatus that could serve as ignition sources can include simple open-flame devices, devices whose operating temperature is higher than the natural ignition point of the medium, etc.; the required spacing for these varies. Obviously, the spacing of this furnace should be determined based on the locations and equipment where open flames are present, while air coolers should be analyzed in relation to equipment with a flash point above a certain level.