Key points for preventing freezing and condensation in chemical processing units (III. Handling freezing blockages)

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1. Localized freezing blockage treatment: During the thawing process, actions should be taken based on the specific circumstances. Generally, for equipment that is small and has short pipelines, as well as instruments and valves, steam can be used to blow away the ice buildup on their surfaces in order to resolve the blockage; if insulation is present, it must be removed first. 2. Treatment for large-scale freezing blockages: When the equipment affected by freezing is large and the pipelines are long, it is common to use temporary heating methods (such as metal hoses) along with insulation to gradually thaw the area. For equipment, pipelines, instruments, and valves that are frozen and stuck, if it is possible to remove them, they can be taken away and placed in a room with a higher temperature in order to thaw. 3. Precautions during the treatment of freezing blockages To avoid safety incidents such as the release of toxic and harmful gases or liquids that could cause injury or explosions during the treatment of freezing blockages, the following precautions should be observed: 1) Check whether there are any cracks or damages in the equipment, pipelines, and valves, as well as the opening/closing status of the valves ； 2) Isolate the relevant systems before processing ； 3) The operation must be carried out slowly, using low-temperature steam to dissolve the substance gradually, in order to prevent sudden heating from damaging frozen equipment, pipelines, and valves ； 4) Consider the impact on instruments and process conditions following a sudden unblocking during the thawing process, and take preventive measures in advance.