5. Emergency plans are being formulated so that rapid action can be taken in the

Question

5. Emergency plans are being formulated so that rapid action can be taken in the event of an equipment failure at the Trupointe Cooperative Inc. in Medway Ohio. It is predicted that if a particular pipeline were to rupture it would release ammonia at a rate of 100 lbm/sec. Persons exposed to ammonia at its IDLH level will be endangered and anywhere that the concentration might be that high should be evacuated until repairs are made. What recommendation would you make as to how far from the rupture people should be evacuated if the facility is located in a rural area and: a. The wind is 6 miles per hour and the sun is shining brightly. hour-

Explanation / Answer

Hazard related to ammonia are can be summarized as below.

Ammonia is a high health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Exposure to 300 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health.

If the possibility of exposure above 300 ppm exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode to attend leak and evacuate peoples from the place.(since it is a rural area)

Ammonia is also flammable at concentrations of approximately 15 to 28% by volume in air. When mixed with lubricating oils, its flammable concentration range is increased.

Case 1

Ammonia release rate =100lbm/sec = 45 kg/sec = 0.0125 kg/hr.

Wind speed =6miles/hr = 9.65 km/hr

Rate of spreading of ammonia with distance = (Ammonia release rate)/(Wind speed) = 0.00129 kg/km =1.29mg/km

ie 1.29 ppm/km (assume air quantity is 1kg)

IDLH value of ammonia is 300ppm.

IDLH value reach at 0.0042km distance. (1.29 ppm/km and by trial and error at 0.0042km it is 307ppm)

For safety upto 5m distance complete evacuation required.

Stand in up wind direction.

to avoid explosion keep low temperature by spraying water.

Case 2

Ammonia release rate =100lbm/sec = 45 kg/sec = 0.0125 kg/hr.

Wind speed =10miles/hr = 16.09 km/hr

Rate of spreading of ammonia with distance = (Ammonia release rate)/(Wind speed) = 0.000776 kg/km =0.776mg/km

ie 0.776 ppm/km (assume air quantity is 1kg)

IDLH value of ammonia is 300ppm.

IDLH value reach at 0.0026km distance. (1.29 ppm/km and by trial and error at 0.0042km it is 298ppm)

For safety upto 3m distance complete evacuation required.

Stand in up wind direction.

to avoid explosion keep low temperature by spraying water.

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