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Analysis of hazardous and harmful factors in liquid nitrogen storage tanks and pipelines

2023-02-23View Original

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I. Analysis of hazardous and harmful factors in liquid nitrogen storage tanks Liquid nitrogen storage tanks are classified as low-temperature liquid storage tanks, and nitrogen is asphyxiating; therefore, during loading, unloading, and storage, there are hazards such as physical explosions, asphyxiation, and frostbite. The main risks associated with these tanks are as follows: 1) If the insulation systems of liquid nitrogen storage tanks are not inspected regularly, a decline in their insulating performance can lead to frost forming on the surface of the tank and on hoses, and accidental contact with this frost may result in frostbite. At the same time, if the temperature inside the tank rises, it can cause the cryogenic liquid to vaporize rapidly, posing a risk of overpressure explosion. 2) The liquid nitrogen cryogenic storage tank of this device is a pressure storage tank; if its tank body along with related safety accessories, vacuum pipes, safety valves, rupture disks, etc., are not regularly inspected, there is a risk of overpressure explosions, asphyxiation, frostbite, and other hazards. 3) If storage tanks lack effective lightning protection facilities, they are at risk of being struck by lightning, which can lead to secondary accidents. 4) If the storage tank is not operated in strict accordance with the procedures during loading and unloading, there are risks of gas leakage, frostbite, suffocation, etc. 5) If the substances in the tank are stored for too long without regular replacement, and if the tank and its associated components are not maintained properly, there is a high risk of leaks, overpressure explosions, as well as fires and explosions caused by excessive levels of impurities inside the tank. 6) During transportation, if the tank truck suffers severe collisions or vibrations that cause damage to the tank body and a reduction in its pressure resistance, there is a risk of overpressure explosion. 7) During storage, low-temperature liquid storage tanks may experience overheating and overpressure; if the vent valves are not opened in time to release pressure, there is a risk of overpressure explosion, especially if the safety accessories of the tank, such as safety valves and rupture disks, fail. 8) During the storage of liquid nitrogen in tanks, if leaks occur in the pipelines or valves, frosting or sweating on the tank shell not only damages the equipment but also poses a risk of frostbite and suffocation to personnel. 9) If safety accessories such as the safety valve of the liquid nitrogen storage tank fail, there is a risk of overpressure explosion when the actual pressure exceeds their capacity to withstand it. 10) If the design, manufacturing, materials, and installation of liquid nitrogen storage tanks do not comply with relevant standards and specifications, it can lead to safety hazards; there is a risk of tank deformation and material leakage, as well as the possibility of asphyxiation and frostbite. 11) If the storage tank foundation settles or deforms, it can cause rigidly connected pipes, valves, fittings, etc. to crack, leading to material leakage; the same risks as mentioned above can occur. 12) The transfer pumps, pipelines, valves, etc., for the materials in the tank area may leak if not properly maintained, and this can cause harm to people. 13) Severe weather conditions such as typhoons can damage the equipment and facilities in the tank farm, leading to secondary accidents. 14) If the fire access routes in the tank farm are damaged or blocked, resulting in poor accessibility, it will hinder the passage of fire trucks in the event of an accident, potentially leading to an escalation of the incident. 15) Tank maintenance and entry operations may cause personal injury if proper purging is not carried out. 16) In the unloading and loading areas, tank trucks are not assigned designated parking spaces and are parked haphazardly; there is insufficient spacing between them and they are not parked in an orderly manner, which can lead to collisions among these tank trucks and a high risk of fires and explosions. If the distance at which the tank truck is parked is not appropriate, the connection fittings may become detached or fly off, causing the material to spill out; this can lead to overpressure explosions, frostbite, or asphyxiation accidents. II. Analysis of dangerous and harmful factors in pipelines 1) The pipelines associated with the nitrogen production system may experience physical explosions due to the gas pressure exceeding the material’s strength limit. 2) If the pipelines of the nitrogen production system are not properly sealed, or if the equipment develops cracks or breaks, leaks will occur. The nitrogen vapor that escapes can come into contact with the operators’ bodies, causing frostbite. 3) During repair and installation work, flammable liquids such as wipes, kerosene, and gasoline falling into the nitrogen generation system pipelines may cause an explosion when the nitrogen generator is started. 4) Gas pressure fluctuations within the pipeline have a destructive effect on it, causing intense vibrations in the pipelines of the nitrogen production system. Severe pipe vibrations can cause the joints of pipe fittings to loosen and crack; this may result in leaks at best, or explosions at worst.

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