Preliminary site visit report, UOP (Universal Oil Products) engineering offices: control-technology assessment of petroleum-refinery operations, Des Plains, Illinois, June 2, 1982

Technical Report · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6121580

A visit was made to Universal Oil Products, Inc. (UOP), Des Plaines, Illinois to assess the control methods used at this facility to protect workers from harmful exposures to chemical and physical agents. Specific attention was given to control methods for hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation units. Engineering controls included curbs around equipment to prevent acid spills from contaminating surrounding areas, the drainage of surface liquids into a neutralization pit, the scrubbing of all vent streams leaving the HF units with a potassium hydroxide scrubber to neutralize any HF present, the provision of emergency shower booths, and the installation of a sieve dryer to remove water in entering feed. A point was developed for joints, flanges, and valves of the alkylation unit; originally the paint was orange, but on exposure to HF it turned bright yellow. Protective clothing offered included face shields, gauntlets, rubbers, booths, acid-resistant jackets, overalls, acid hoods, or complete pressurized suits. Work practices were carefully rehearsed so as to avoid accidental exposures. Workers were trained in safety measures, spill cleanups and washdowns, how to neutralize, and proper equipment-tagging procedures. Additional information was provided concerning emergency booths, the use of protective clothing, alkylation change houses, and safety procedures.

• Research Organization: Radian Corp., Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6121580
• Report Number(s): PB-89-137335/XAB; ECTB-102-01A
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Color illustrations reproduced in black and white
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
ALKYLATION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INSPECTION
SAFETY ENGINEERING
TOXIC MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENGINEERING
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INORGANIC ACIDS
MATERIALS
SAFETY
020400* - Petroleum- Processing
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
552000 - Public Health