Discussion on issues with foam liquid pipelines in tank farms
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As the title suggests, during a live demonstration experiment with foam pipelines, it was observed that liquid flowed out of the pipelines at first, and it took 2–3 minutes before a foam mixture appeared. What could be the reasons for this phenomenon? How to solve it?
There is clearly water accumulation inside the pipeline; it is sufficient to install a separation tank at the lowest point of the pipeline – it does not need to be very large – and to drain the water regularly.
Are there any other possibilities? Drainage at the lowest point should be present.
Normal air ducts will have condensation water; foam itself is made of liquid, so it’s impossible for there to be no water at all. Are there any issues with the foam generation device inspection as well?
The reason is the same; the principle dictates that this is how it works. However, our company installs an electric valve at the end of the main pipe – it opens this valve for the first two or three minutes to allow fluid to be drained, and then the valves of the branch pipes are opened
You also have a drain at the lowest point of the main pipe, right?
Also, does delaying the opening of the foam pipeline have an impact on accident handling?
Low point: Should emissions control be activated only after use, as it doesn’t function at startup; that’s my personal opinion
If you don’t drain the water completely and a fire breaks out, water has a higher density than oil, so the oil will float on top of the water; this will lead to an expansion of the accident, in my humble opinion
Mainly, it’s due to the long length of the pipelines; it takes time for the pump to generate pressure, and there may be liquid accumulation inside the pipelines.
The same is true for me; it’s likely that the foam turned into water due to lack of use over time! The pipeline is still buried.