AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION Presented by: Trevor Emsley
Safe Technical Systems. Everywhere.
WHAT WE DO • License contractors • Certify individuals • Issue installation and operating permits • Approve design registration • Investigate incidents • Enforce • Audit • Inspect based on risk • Educate
AGENDA • Qualities of Ammonia • Exposure Limits • Dangers & Flammability • Incident Prevention & Response
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA 1 atom of N itrogen (N) 3 atoms of H ydrogen (H)
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA suffocating Pure ammonia comes in two forms: gas and liquid pungent penetrating colourless odour
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA If ammonia gas escapes from a refrigeration system… …it tends to collect in high areas or ceilings . It is much lighter than air
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA Ammonia Gas is easily liquefied under pressure Liquid Ammonia is a clear fluid that evaporates quickly at room temperature
LIQUID AMMONIA High compression ratio = 1 to 800 800 L Ammonia Gas 1 L Liquid Ammonia
QUALITIES OF AMMONIA • Ammonia used in refrigeration systems is referred to as anhydrous ammonia • It differs considerably from liquid ammonia used as a household cleaner; it is more toxic and dangerous. • Anhydrous ammonia is used as a refrigerant at many industrial and recreational facilities.
AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION Facilities that typically use ammonia refrigeration systems include: • Cold storage warehouses and ice plants • Meat, poultry, or fish processing centers • Dairy and ice cream plants • Arenas • Fruit/vegetable juice and soft drink processing facilities • Petrochemical facilities
AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION Ammonia is the preferred refrigerant for cold storage facilities, and ice arenas. The two primary factors for the use of ammonia are: • improved energy efficiencies, and • environmental restrictions of “freons”
DANGERS AND FLAMMABILITY
QUALITIES THAT MAKE AMMONIA DANGEROUS • Potential to aerosolize if released • Hydroscopic nature & risk of frostbite • Explosive hazard at certain concentrations • Lower flammability limits if contaminated with oil
AMMONIA WILL AEROSOLIZE In refrigeration systems, ammonia is liquefied under pressure. BUT…liquid ammonia that is accidentally released… may aerosolize. So it will tend to initially move along the ground as a liquid then aerosolize. This can put employees or members of the public at risk if there is an ammonia leak.
AMMONIA IS HYDROSCOPIC Ammonia is extremely hydroscopic. Which means it readily migrates to moist areas of the body such as eyes , nose , throat , and moist skin areas This can result in frostbite since its temperature at atmospheric pressure is –28ºF
AMMONIA IS FLAMMABLE Pure ammonia vapours are <16% NOT flammable at a 16-25% concentration of less than 16% Explosion hazards exists
AMMONIA CAN BE CONTAMINATED Mixtures involving ammonia contaminated with lubricating oil from the system may have a much broader explosive range.
AMMONIA CAN BE CONTAMINATED Oil contamination A study conducted to reduced the lower flammability concentration determine the influence of oil as low as 8% on the flammability limits of (depending on type of oil) ammonia found that…
EXPOSURE LIMITS
AMMONIA EXPOSURE 5-50 PPM
Exposure Limits (ppm) Exposure Limit Maximum allowable 25 ppm concentration averaged over an 8 hour period Maximum allowable short- 35 ppm term exposure (15 min.) See OHS Regulations sect. 5.1 for more information
EXPOSURE LIMITS Intolerable after a few minutes. Difficulty breathing, burning sensation in lungs Uncomfortable for most people Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat Detectable by human sent
FATAL EXPOSURE LIMITS 10,000 - 30,000 ppm Immediately fatal 5,000 – 10,000 ppm Respiratory spasm, Rapid Asphyxia 2,000 – 5,000 ppm Can be fatal after a few breaths
EXPOSURE TO GASEOUS AMMONIA Low Concentrations Headaches, loss of sense of smell, nausea, vomiting Coughing, wheezing, High Concentrations damage to lungs Can be immediately fatal Extremely High Concentrations
EXPOSURE TO LIQUID AMMONIA Ammonia is Corrosive May result in chemical-type burns to skin, eyes and lungs May result in frostbite (boiling point is around - 28˚C)
INCIDENT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
AMMONIA INCIDENTS Plant upsets, leading to the lifting of relief valves Leaks in rotating seals Leaky pressure relief valves Faulty high pressure cut off Pipeline failures Vehicular traffic hitting pipes, valves, evaporators
DANGERS OF AMMONIA INCIDENTS
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS & OPERATORS OPERATION & SAFETY MAINTENANCE PLANS
ELEMENTS OF OPERATION & SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLANS
WRITTEN WORK PROCEDURES Contain Policies & Procedures Clearly Written Accessible to Operators Reviewed Often Amended when Required
TRAINING Training of all supervisors & workers Site specific training on operation and maintenance procedures Conducting Emergency Drills Fit testing ng of respirators and other emergency equipment Fir First aid id training
TRAINING ISSUED BY REFRIGRATION PLANT CERTIFICATE OF TSBC OPERATORS QUALIFICATION
TRAINING A refrigeration plant with refrigerant groups A1, A2 or B1 exceeding a total plant capacity of 200 kW prime mover nameplate rating A refrigeration plant with refrigerant groups A3, B2 (ammonia) or B3 exceeding a total plant capacity of 50 kW prime mover nameplate rating ISSUED BY REFRIGRATION CERTIFICATE OF PLANT TSBC QUALIFICATION OPERATORS
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
REGULAR INSPECTIONS
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS Capture safety information from high-hazard “as-found” assessments
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS Identify any non-compliance to the Act , regulation and adopted code requirements during construction or operation of a refrigeration system
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS Identify any non-compliance to the Act , regulation and adopted code requirements during construction or operation of a refrigeration system
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS Collect information through physical inspection and incident investigations
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS Educate clients and the public about Technical Safety BC to better control risks
BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS Conduct assessments Take enforcement action when necessary
AS FOUND HAZARDS • During each assessment of regulated work, safety officers rate and describe the most notable hazard, if any , found during the assessment. • These are termed “as-found” hazards. A hazardous condition which would likely have been left uncorrected if it had not been discovered.
AS FOUND HAZARD RATING Rating Label Description No hazards were observed during the assessment and the work was 0 Compliant found to comply with the codes and regulations. These hazards are considered to be typical and are not considered to 1 Insignificant present a significant concern to safety. Duty holders are encouraged to improve so as to prevent these from 2 Minor being created as a result of their work. These hazards are considered to present and appreciable concern to safety. The safety system is considered compromised if duty holders do 3 Moderate not take steps to understand and prevent these hazards. These hazards are known to present considerable safety risks. The 4 Major safety system of qualified and licensed professionals working under permit to recognized codes and standards is considered to have failed when hazards of this nature are found. 5 Severe
HAZARD MAP
HAZARD RATING Hazard Rating: 3 – Moderate Pressure relief valves are required to discharge to a safe location. The assessment found that… …the ammonia condenser pressure relief valves were discharging 7 feet above ground level and in the direction of the machinery room air inlet louver. • In event of a discharge this could cause • an unsafe discharge to atmosphere.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES Move laterally & upwind Move inside to shelter Move towards someone with proper PPE so they can help you to safety
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING According to OHS Regulation 5.97 (1) “A workplace must have a written emergency plan, appropriate to the hazards of the workplace, that addresses the requirements of sections 5.98 to 5.102.”
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING According to OHS Regulation 5.97 (2) “The plan must address emergency conditions which may arise from within the workplace and from adjacent workplaces.”
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING According to OHS Regulation 5.97 (3) “The plan must be developed, implemented and annually reviewed in consultation with the joint committee or the worker health and safety representative, as applicable.”
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