Safety analysis of the 1000 lb/day coal-liquefaction PDU
The objective of the program reported herein was to provide a Safety Analysis of the 1000 lb/day PDU located in Building 83 at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center. Risks to personnel from potential process hazards are largely controlled by installation of a major portion of the unit within a hot cell. This segregates and isolates personnel from a majority of potential equipment rupture and fire/explosion hazards. Equipment within the cell is subject to potential risks associated with overpressurization or excessively high temperature, and fire/explosion due to ignition of leaking flammable gas (i.e. H/sub 2/). There are some existing safeguards designed to protect against overpressure or high temperature. Additional safeguards are offered to minimize these risks. The hot cell is provided with general dilution ventilation and hydrogen monitoring. However, confinement effects and potential ignition sources are such that avoidance of formation and ignition of flammable mixtures cannot be assured. Potential health hazards relate to contact with coal-derived liquids or inhalation of irritant or toxic gases, vapors, or dusts, associated with slurry preparation, sampling, draw down of catch-pots, or cleaning of centrifuge bowls. No particularly serious workplace safety hazards were identified, and environmental concerns are largely limited by the relatively low throughput for the unit. A number of Category I hazards with Remote likelihood, and Category II hazards with May Occur likelihood, were identified. Recommendations were developed for these hazards. Implementation of these recommendations will materially reduce the overall risk level of the operation. The Safety Analysis was based on a site visit, process flow diagrams, material balance, equipment data, and operating procedures provided to Hercules, or as represented to Hercules, by the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center. A detailed listing of the data and information package is documented in Appendix A.
- Research Organization:
- Hercules, Inc., Cumberland, MD (USA). Allegany Ballistics Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-80PC30198
- OSTI ID:
- 6528650
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/30198-T5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
COAL LIQUEFACTION
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNITS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY ENGINEERING
GAS COMPRESSORS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INSPECTION
MAINTENANCE
MONITORING
PITTSBURGH ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CENTER
PRESSURE VESSELS
RECOMMENDATIONS
VENTILATION
COMPRESSORS
CONTAINERS
ENGINEERING
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
LIQUEFACTION
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
010405* - Coal
Lignite
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420600 - Engineering- Safety Engineering- (-1987)