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Qilu Petrochemical: Risk control first, safe shipping second 2019-01-15 Source: Sinopec News Network On the morning of January 8th, as work began at the propylene loading site in the loading and washing workshop of Qilu Petrochemical’s Sales, Storage and Transportation Department, vehicles coming to load propylene lined up one after another, forming a long queue. After conducting a safety inspection of the vehicle, team leader Xu Xinhua and operator Li Qiang began to direct it to the designated area for loading. Once the vehicle has come to a complete stop, the driver’s car keys are collected. A sign reading “Loading in progress; do not start the engine” is hung outside the driver’s side. Blocking wood is placed in front of and behind the wheels. After everything has been checked and confirmed to be in order, the hose is connected. “The valves on the equipment become tight in winter, which can lead to leaks; it is necessary to check them properly before connecting them. Be sure to pay attention not to set the flow rate too high. ”Xu Xinhua gave instructions to Li Qiang, who was carrying out the operation. “The liquid level in the tank and the operation status of the equipment must be checked continuously, especially when the weather changes, as this can lead to variations in the operating procedures; extra caution is required at such times. ”Xu Xinhua said. At the site, they kept walking back and forth, occasionally checking the readings on the pressure gauge and examining the connections of the flexible hoses... Xu Xinhua said that in winter, due to the low temperatures, the density of the product increases, which can lead to overfilling and excessive pressure. To avoid this from happening, there is no other way but to keep a close eye on the pressure gauges at all times – both the one for the vehicle and those for the liquid and gas phases. It’s essential to monitor them carefully. At this time, the outdoor temperature is between minus 3 and minus 5 degrees, and the cold wind makes one feel extremely cold all over. Having been working outdoors for over an hour, they tightened their cotton hats and the military-style coats provided to them by the factory. “As long as there are loading tasks, we can’t stop. ”20 minutes later, Xu Xinhua climbed onto a tank truck and opened the pressure gauge cover at the back of the vehicle to check the loading indication. “For this vehicle, when the weather isn’t cold, the height should be around 1.8 to 1.85 meters. However, when temperatures are low, propylene changes from a gas to a liquid state, increasing its density; in that case, loading it according to those standards would result in overloading. ” After getting out of the vehicle, Xu Xinhua went back to the pipeline flow meter to check the readings on it. “One truck can carry 20 tons; in this season, 40 cubic meters is about right. The final loading quantity is still determined based on the weighing measurement. ” At the connection point of the loading arm, Li Qiang was carefully checking for any abnormalities in the connection. “The main focus is to check for any signs of leaks in the valves and connection fittings; if any are found, they must be addressed promptly. On June 5, 2017, an explosion and fire broke out at Jinyu Petrochemical due to loose connections that allowed liquefied gas to leak, and this was not detected or properly addressed in a timely manner. ” “When it comes to security, there’s nothing to say about it – they are very strict. ”The customers expressed understanding and approval of their approach. During loading, the loading and washing workshop implements supervision by one employee per vehicle, with the driver providing additional assistance, while two levels of management personnel carry out continuous oversight. “Since the renovation and expansion of the propylene loading facilities in 2017, the volume of product loaded and shipped has nearly doubled, making it even more important to pay attention to safety at this time. ”Wang Yi, the workshop director who went to the site to check the loading process, said that they always give top priority to risk management in the loading of hazardous chemicals, treating it as a matter of utmost importance and refusing to be the least bit careless. At the same time, to ensure safety is truly implemented, the workshop treats accidents that occur in the industry due to weather changes as if they happened within its own premises; it draws lessons from such incidents, analyzes their causes, and checks for similar safety hazards at various work stations in order to eliminate them before they can cause problems. Additionally, the workshop carries out thorough safety inspections of vehicles, as well as safety checks and supervision during the loading process, addressing any issues that are discovered promptly. (Liu Xinseng)