How to properly carry out startup, shutdown, and anti-freezing/anti-clogging measures in winter
Thread Content
These past few days have seen extremely cold weather, reaching record lows. An outage of the system occurred in the workshop due to the freezing of a drain line (regular inspections and maintenance of these drain lines are usually done properly). It was a drain line on the oxygen pipeline entering the facility that froze and broke. What puzzles me is how there could be condensation water in the drain line of an oxygen pipeline – and how did it freeze and break in the first place? I’d like to ask an expert to analyze it!
I don’t understand; is there a type of oxygen that’s humid? Check if there is any condensate water by opening it, or see if water is flowing in from outside the drain.
Freezing cracks are likely caused by water accumulation inside the pipes. This water could be existing water in the pipes, or it may result from high humidity in the gas, which leads to condensation that accumulates within the pipes. It might also be a combination of both factors. When the temperature drops significantly in winter, this water freezes, causing cracks in the pipes. Even a small amount of water can cause such cracking in pipes that are relatively narrow
What is your oxygen production process? In current cryogenic air separation processes, the oxygen content is generally below 3 PPm, so no condensate water forms~~ If condensate does appear, it’s necessary to identify the source of the moisture~~ Also, the drainage system needs to be properly set up There’s no possibility of external water seeping in, right? ~~
Everything is possible, I guess; there’s nothing that can’t happen, as long as we can’t imagine it. So in this kind of weather, no pipeline or drain should be overlooked. Open everything that can be opened and take a look. It is at this time that the experience and capabilities of the company’s leadership become evident, as well as the sense of responsibility and execution skills of the employees. It’s not about just shouting slogans; it needs to be implemented in practice. This cold winter is indeed a challenge for our chemical industry.
What length is the design for your drain pipe? It generally won’t freeze and crack.