【Forward】Thousands of people fought for 96 days! Luohe successfully handled the critical safety hazard related to 182 tons of liquid chlorine

In mid-July, upon learning of the emergency situation in which the company’s liquid chlorine storage facility, containing 182 tons of liquid chlorine and constituting a major hazard source of level one, was unattended, the Luoyang City Safety Office and the City Emergency Management Bureau, together with the development zone, took immediate action. They hired three professionals to provide 24/7 emergency monitoring of the liquid chlorine storage facility. They also coordinated and ensured that staff from departments such as safety supervision, public security, fire services, and environmental protection, along with specialized equipment, were sent to Xingmao Titanium Company promptly. This was done to regularly relieve pressure from the chlorine gas and prevent widespread leaks due to excessive pressure, thus ensuring that the liquid chlorine storage facility remained in a safe state. At the same time, the relevant departments promptly contacted third-party testing agencies with Class A safety assessment qualifications to conduct a comprehensive safety risk assessment of Xingmao Titanium Company’s liquid chlorine storage facility. While conducting risk assessments, remediation work was carried out simultaneously. The liquid chlorine absorption system was repaired and modified 13 times; a total of 120 meters of pipes were fixed, two new cooling water wells were dug, 3 cooling water pumps were purchased, 450 meters of cooling water pipes were installed, and one additional alkali solution cooler and one additional chlorine gas absorption tower were added. The No. 2 and No. 3 treatment tanks were completely coated with anti-corrosion material to prevent leaks, ensuring the smooth progress of all remediation tasks.

Since the company’s liquid chlorine storage facility contains 182 tons of liquid chlorine, there is currently no existing experience in China that can be used as a guide for its safe disposal. Under such circumstances, agencies such as the Municipal Safety Office, the Municipal Emergency Management Bureau, and the development zone did their best to overcome the challenges. In selecting the appropriate method for handling this situation, they coordinated with safety experts in the field of chlor-alkali production at the provincial level to conduct multiple evaluations. Taking into account the opinions of the expert team from the Provincial Emergency Management Department, they ultimately decided to use the \"liquid chlorine vaporization and caustic soda absorption method\": liquid chlorine is vaporized and then sent into an exhaust gas absorption tower, where it is neutralized by caustic soda, resulting in the formation of sodium hypochlorite (i.e., disinfectant). The reporter learned that from the day work began on August 2 to drain the cooling water from the wells, until all 6 liquid chlorine storage tanks were safely replaced on November 5, a total of 96 days were required. A total of 960 professionals were involved in this process, and the safe replacement of the liquid chlorine storage tanks was successfully completed, thereby eliminating this major hazard.

It was ultimately decided to adopt the \"liquid chlorine vaporization and caustic soda absorption method\": after the liquid chlorine is vaporized, it enters the exhaust gas absorption tower where it is neutralized by caustic soda, resulting in the formation of sodium hypochlorite (i.e., disinfectant).

Is it being processed by the company’s existing treatment equipment? The device was simply repaired and then put back into operation.

Another issue raised here concerns the requirement that chemical manufacturing enterprises cease production and submit reports for review to determine whether their hazardous factors can be controlled

3rd floor: \"The safe replacement of all 6 liquid chlorine storage tanks has been completed. The process took 96 days, during which 960 professionals were involved in the work. The safe replacement of the liquid chlorine storage tanks was successfully carried out, thereby eliminating this major hazard.\" ” Discussion on accident case: A tank truck was carrying 25 tons of liquid chlorine; the safety valve leaked. By using tank transfer technology, 18 tons were successfully transferred within 2 hours, while the remaining amount was absorbed by caustic soda. There were no injuries to anyone. ①The liquid phase pipe of the leakage tank is connected to the liquid phase pipe of the transfer tank; the gas phase pipe of the transfer tank is connected to the submersion pipe of the alkali tank, while the gas phase pipe of the alkali tank is vented ； ②The vaporization of liquid chlorine inside the transfer tank creates low temperature and low pressure; under the effect of its saturated vapor pressure, the liquid chlorine leaks back into the transfer tank ； ③The liquid chlorine gasified inside the unloading tank is absorbed by the alkaline solution. Therefore, compared to this case, although \"96 days and 960 visits\" is a bit slower, it remains a relatively safe and secure approach. Is sodium hypochlorite also a product? :)

3rd floor: It takes a long time, requires many people, and is also a risk.

I have written and published papers on the inverted tank processing technology. In clause 6.4.3.2 \"Transfer of liquid\" of HG/T 4684-2014 \"Methods for Handling and Disposal of Liquid Chlorine Leaks\", the tank transfer technique has been incorporated into the standard. However, it should be noted that the description of tank inversion in the standard is incomplete and requires discussion.