Issues with the safety valve discharge piping in large and medium-sized air separation units
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During hazard inspections, our company follows the design specifications GB50030-2013, section 6.013, which states that the exhaust pipes for oxygen and nitrogen in oxygen stations, as well as the pipes for discharging liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen, must be led to a safe location outside the building. The outlet of these exhaust pipes must be at least 4.5 meters above the ground level. According to this regulation, the exhaust pipe leading from the cold box of the air separation unit (with a capacity of 40,000 standard cubic meters) to the safety valve of the liquid oxygen storage tank should be raised to a height of 4.5 meters; previously, the pipe ended with a bend pointing downward, at a distance of about 200 mm above the ground. In our opinion, raising the pipe to this height causes the liquid oxygen safety valve to activate, resulting in liquid oxygen being ejected from a height of 4.5 meters, which poses an even greater risk. I’d like to ask for advice here: is it the standard for oxygen stations that isn’t suitable for oxygen generation units based on air separation, or is it safer to raise them by 4.5 meters?
Experts make arbitrary decisions when they act on assumptions; those who truly understand the subject are few. Releasing cryogenic liquids at high altitudes without going through a vaporization device is simply seeking disaster.
Is there anything wrong with 4.5 meters? If it’s changed to 10 meters, you’ll find it even more unacceptable
If no one is conducting an investigation, then don’t create problems for yourself. As for anything else that you consider unsafe or problematic, you can submit a report in writing; then you will no longer be responsible.
My company is the same; I plan to make changes and will start working on it next month
Experts make arbitrary decisions when they act on assumptions; those who truly understand the subject are few. Refrigerant liquids are released at high altitudes without going through a vaporization device; using UVLED in such a situation is simply asking for trouble.