ammonia in refrigeration presented by: trevor …...ammonia refrigeration systems include: • cold...

AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATIONPresented 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

3 atoms of Hydrogen

(H)

1 atom of Nitrogen

(N)

Pure ammonia comes in two forms: gas and liquid

colourless

suffocating

odour

pungentpenetrating

QUALITIES OF AMMONIA

It is much lighter than air

If ammonia gas escapes from a refrigeration

system……it tends to collect in high areas or ceilings.

QUALITIES OF AMMONIA

Liquid Ammonia is a clear fluid that evaporates quickly

at room temperature

Ammonia Gas is easily liquefied under pressure

QUALITIES OF AMMONIA

LIQUID AMMONIA

1 LLiquid

Ammonia

High compression ratio = 1 to 800

800 LAmmonia Gas

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.

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”

AMMONIA IN REFRIGERATION

DANGERS AND FLAMMABILITY

• Potential to aerosolize if released• Hydroscopic nature & risk of frostbite• Explosive hazard at certain concentrations• Lower flammability limits if contaminated with oil

QUALITIES THAT MAKE AMMONIA DANGEROUS

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 WILL AEROSOLIZE

Which means it readily migrates to moist areas of the body such as eyes, nose, throat, and moistskin areas

AMMONIA IS HYDROSCOPIC

This can result in frostbitesince its temperature at atmospheric pressure is –28ºF

Ammonia is extremely hydroscopic.

AMMONIA IS FLAMMABLE

<16%Pure ammonia vapours are NOT flammable at a concentration of less than 16%Explosion hazards exists

16-25%

Mixtures involving ammonia contaminated with lubricating oil from the system may have a much broader explosive range.

AMMONIA CAN BE CONTAMINATED

AMMONIA CAN BE CONTAMINATED

Oil contaminationreduced the lower

flammability concentration as low as

8%(depending on type of oil)

A study conducted to determine the influence of oil on the flammability limits of ammonia found that…

EXPOSURE LIMITS

5-50 PPM

AMMONIA EXPOSURE

Exposure Limits (ppm) Exposure Limit

25 ppm Maximum allowable concentration averaged over an 8 hour period

35 ppm Maximum allowable short-term exposure (15 min.)

See OHS Regulations sect. 5.1 for more information

Detectable by human sent

Uncomfortable for most people Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat

Intolerable after a few minutes.Difficulty breathing, burning sensation in lungs

EXPOSURE LIMITS

2,000 – 5,000 ppm

5,000 – 10,000 ppm

Respiratory spasm, Rapid Asphyxia

10,000 - 30,000 ppm

Immediately fatal

Can be fatal after a few breaths

FATAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

EXPOSURE TO GASEOUS AMMONIA

Low Concentrations

High Concentrations

Extremely High Concentrations

Headaches, loss of sense of smell, nausea, vomiting

Coughing, wheezing, damage to lungs

Can be immediately fatal

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 INCIDENTSPlant 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

Reviewed Often

Accessible to Operators

Clearly Written

Amended when Required

TRAINING

Training of all supervisors & workers

Site specific training on operation and maintenance procedures

Conducting Emergency Drills

Fit testing of respirators and other emergency equipment

First aid training

TRAINING

REFRIGRATION PLANT OPERATORS

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION

ISSUED BYTSBC

TRAINING

REFRIGRATION PLANT

OPERATORS

CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION

ISSUED BYTSBC

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

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

Conduct assessments

Take enforcement action when necessary

BOILER SAFETY OFFICERS

AS FOUND HAZARDS

A hazardous condition which would likely have been left uncorrected if it had not been discovered.

• 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.

AS FOUND HAZARD RATING Rating Label Description

0 CompliantNo hazards were observed during the assessment and the work was found to comply with the codes and regulations.

1 InsignificantThese hazards are considered to be typical and are not considered topresent a significant concern to safety.

2 MinorDuty holders are encouraged to improve so as to prevent these from being created as a result of their work.

3 Moderate

These hazards are considered to present and appreciable concern to safety. The safety system is considered compromised if duty holders do not take steps to understand and prevent these hazards.

4 Major These hazards are known to present considerable safety risks. The 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 RATINGHazard 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.”

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES

The Safety Standards General Regulation Section 34 (2) requires that

“The owner of a plant must report an incident to the

Regulatory Authority”

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES

All incidents must be reported to

Technical Safety BC immediately

Phone:1-866-566-7233

Online Form:TechnicalSafetyBC.ca

SUMMARY

Qualities of Ammonia

Exposure Limits

Dangers & Flammability

Incident Prevention & Response

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