Fail-safe devices for the prevention of hazardous-material spills. Final report, December 1979-1981
Hazardous material spills have often been caused by over filling containers. Many spills could be prevented by using automatic container-filling procedures to determine when maximum capacity is reached. This project conducted an assessment of current technology, including laboratory testing of devices and performance monitoring of on-site automatic level controllers. Three industrial plants cooperated in the field testing phase, each having a different problem with a different material. The types of level control devices chosen were ultrasonic, vibrating tines, and a magnetic-coupled float unit. Two of the units were activated by electricity, and the third was pneumatic. One unit controlled dry powder; the second, a viscous liquid; and the third, an aqueous liquid. Each location required an explosion-proof system. All were subjected to the extremes of weather, and all were installed without significant revisions to existing containers. The on-site experience at host plants demonstrated that fail-safe level controllers can work well for an extended period under severe weather conditions. The proper controller configuration must be chosen to be compatible with the environment and with the material being controlled. Controllers should incorporate requisite safeguards to assure safety and be resistant to corrosion, fouling and weather.
- Research Organization:
- Factory Mutual Research Corp., Norwood, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6039585
- Report Number(s):
- PB-85-138642/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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