ATTINGHAM PARK SHROPSHIRE
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is the ma.rk of' the expert G.n(' this chnrncteristic. WC'.S in Gviccence throughout. The first sUbj8Ct, r1The nature of petroleum s;:;irit 2.no. its hazards:! by Mr. "':.I,I. Lewis, F.R.I.C., City Anelyst, Covcmtry, so far as it includ.ed. analytica.l cherdstry, Tilf.Y well have been unintt)lligibl·s to thQ f;w,jority of us. As it -curnee1 out, however, the clarkor Iwsterics of c.lchE:my seemed perfectly c lec.r (well, f'a.irly clear!) at thE) time. Mr. I,mvis Ylent throuGh the various Groups of hyclrocarbon CC;;!lJOUncts, ro:ference to the a.ror.w,tics from which most potroleum s:;;irit dorives. He the possibilities o:f the :::toms of hyClro[en Gone!. c[',rbon to Dake m:W:T compollnc:.s, n, IJrocess vlhich 11.:::.s been (loveloped consicle.; ably in rec8nt years. It ap})e!'..l's tht'.t c..istilllJ.tion :from ths crudo oil is no lonrcr the r:8nero.l prc..cticG ",nc1 Iilc.ny wonc:'erful subst2.nces (p12.stics etc.) ha.ve boen by this with atoms, in adlhtion to nO'.'1 -Gy!,?os of petrol. In fl.,c1.:lib.on to the normal risks from h.Javier-thtm.-a.ir :fle.nm.c.ble vapours, roflected by fl:-:.sh-point, the spe[.tker t1.1so referred to the lesser-known toxic propel ties o:f som8 patrols, !'.. less spectacular but Dore insidious kincl or hazard.
It wo..s fi ttinc tho..t the illore acacL:JI:1ic apl")roach of the chemist should b8 followcD. by r'.n officer €l1i,I1{';OC:" full-timo on licensinf.': administrat.ion. I¥Ir. "·j.C .:t. of the Public Control Dmx:.rtner_t o:f the L. C. C. spoke on IIPIQnninc.: c,nd the Pe·cr·.)leum Officer il ?ave us Q very cC'l!ll")rehcnsivo of'·3.11 the points OT dctl1il on ll.'.yout, snfety c:'istances, :i.nstall.'l.tion of' tC'..P..ks an,,: pumps, to be t2.ken into account before n. petroleum licence is issuocl. ':;. reprint of' his p:1.per woulcl unc':.o'.lbted.ly :)rovide the b[csis of a useful i!uio.e for the pr.t.ctising IJetroleurn o:fficer. It is obvious U",£'..t over tho yoars, the e:>-;:porienced L.C.C. off'icittls h,s,VG clGvisec1 stsndarc1s .t.nd rllcthocls of procerlure ','ihich f.\ re l'1l"obn'oly hicher th('.l1 in ll;oSt other authorities. /I.t 0,ur,stion tin€) it "laS pJ.so oevious th.:1t dolo atos fro!ll soa.) (If' the sillc.ll a.l.lthorities thouC:ht th.:: roc.:.,liroments too strin[.8nt in some res,.",ccts, G.(". the H20 feet from th03 hirhwEtyfl rule. To this, Mr. Dulo roplie(l thl"'..t a lino to bo somov[here and. once 1'\ reason?blo hC'..(i. been laid ,1.ovm it ">'htS um:ise to depart froLl it GVen by [1 Silnll p.E10unt 3.S woulcl inevitably l80::'.c1 to the of the: strmcl2..rcl altoC;Gthcr.
/.f'tcr lunch, thero wns ., (1er0c1nstrn:d.on in th8 --ro·,mt1.s, of fire oxtinguishers by the ND,tiollCLl F'ire Protecti:m Co. Ltt:. ThE! merits of three types (gas, (try 1.JOwder [' n; foam) coul,:: b0 COUl:oe.rcc. to,::l;ther with the dravibo.cks of each uncl.,')r c::.rtain In conversation, onc Oi' two <'!.oloLatGS ctoubts l'..bout the valuo o:f the oOj,lOnstration in thG context of' the C01.1rse but on;) :)oint it clirl fIrivs home wns tho :forocity of' F'.. potroloum s'.",irit :fire.
Mr. \Y.A. Boattio, Project -:''ngineer of the 1£othervVGll Drirlce an". ::;nr ineorinf,: Co. Lt·'., was tho next anr1. he h1:l.'1 thoughtfully C0l,ios of tis v,hich he bofora h8 began. His ovorseas, n swell n.s in this country, provid,ol' the back{';rcund from ,-,hich fIrew in his ;'0.1)01' on "The instal12.tion of lID or: rounct
Like Mr. Dale, he was very Duch in f'n.vour or the m:1s8")(1. [1.13 o:..'POS8(i, to th brick/ concrete vault mothon p.n,'. ne voices wcr:.! rl.'l.isecl in 8(1;(18 useful inf'olyation on the "wall-point SySt0U ll lor e:::cev!1.tions was €' i ven t:"1is will no (1oubt b\"1 ;1orne in mir :f,"]r tr.':.nsnissio.:;n to (!ontr.?ctors \':hen. this is nE-xt cmc:)untereCl.. '1'h8 fr.wourin. o:f offset .fill lin.·;s, h"l'.-:'"cvur, roflGctec"1. the [\.p.ronch of civil enginGor i CO,)'L'o:ccial r'.'..ther than tlv s8.fety ant"le of the: peh'oloUfl, officer.
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The concluding lecture of' the f'irst day wes by Mr. J::Jhn Beer, Petroleum Officer, City of' Worcester, on "The testing of' new and existing petroleum spirit underground storage tanks". 1,,-s the substance of Mr. Beer's talk has appeared in "The Bulletin" recently, details of his views will not be repeated. here. Pressure testing of tanks which he advocates and. in which he snecialises, made a f'ar , greater impact through the medium of' working models than through the written or spoken word. Despite the clarity of' the exposition, however, question tine lef't one with the f'eeling that a f'ew were still not clear as to hoVl the pressure of' the atoosphere coulc_ af'f'ect a tank buried underground in the :first plrwe. There w·_)uld. be e. f'ew left, nevertheless, who were still of' the opinion th'_'.t corrections for temperature a ne. atmospheric pressure were unnecessary.
In the evening, af'ter supper, a ps.rty was t.'1.ken over the house by Sir George Trevelyan. On this occasion the early history ef' the smaller house on the site, its extension to its present f'orr:l in 1780 by the f'irst Lord Berwick and every im.;,Jortant c1etn.il of' house and contents was enlarged U',)on. Two interesting f'e:c'..tures were the iron f'rame- of' the roof'-lights, the first example o:f iron-work in building construction, and Q perf'ectly preserve(1 pipe orgn.n. The I'TaS completely decorateft ancl f'urnished in oris,inal early 19th century style, a combination of' circumstances having hn.nded this example of' f,racious living dovm to posterity intl?l.ct. When describing the crystal chandelier, Sir George con,jured up a wonaerf'ul picture of the arawing-room in its heyday, lit by the f'lickering light of' innumerable candles.
In striking contrast to all this elegance and ornamentl?l.tion was a small exhibition of' technical equipment c onnect€d. with the course which brought us back to the realities of' the internalcombustion age. Students who were unf'aLliliar vlith the internal workings of' the latest type of petrol pump or thc c oQPonents used on the electrical side of' instaJ_l2.tions, f('mml this cxhibi tion very instructive.
The next morning, we began the lecture session with one from Mr. J .A. Sharp, Senior Assistant Engineer, Midlands Electricity Board, on "The practicf'll application of' the electrical recommendations of' the Group". A f'ull explanation of thc reasons f'or the requiremonts (copies of' which were distributed) was gi vcn. of' the points made in the cc:.ursc of the talk (e.t;. the possiLle of' an orclinary rowireJ::le f'use compared with a cartridGe type or moulded circuit breaker) were ones thcctcould only be made in a talk of this kind. The merits of' minern.l-insul,"_tecl copper sheathed cable were also stressed. as w£:5 the importance of' good earthing. Questions again brought out a number of other points.
Mr. H. Grif'f'i ths, Chief' Fire Off'icer, Walsall, :followed with a lecture on "Petroleum Law anr}. Administration" in which he aChieved the seemingly impossible by illustrating the rn.ain req1lirements craphically on a blackboard. Constructicln of' can domestic garaees, f'illine: stat ions, hazar·:i areas, and -their to occupants and pedestrians werc clearly shown. As a of cuttinl!, through tedious legal phr[>.seology, his methoc1 of over a "dry" subject was admirable. At the end of' the talk, when Mr. Grif'fiths said he did not anticipc.'..te any questions because legal points could only be interpreted uy thc Cuurt s, the company seemed roused to action anit f'ired quite a lot of qU8stions at him.
The final lecture "Future trends in petroleum spirit disp ,,' M enslng was, by its nature, perhaps the nost n.bsorblng of all. r. R.G. Spalding, A.M.I.Mech.Eo, Chief Engineer of the TflJ'cyne Tank & Pump Co. Ltd. who gave it, used coloured sli(les to illustrate this glimpse of "thin{7s to o·jme" ° Sume of' these
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(tlnixing" pumps, telemetering) p,.re alroady with us but others are still in the experimental stage. e.nrl even banknoteopera'ted pumps are a possibility :::.nd the developers are fully aW2.re of the objections fron the s2.fety anele and are working on such devices as a nozz18 which C:1n cletect -,7hether it is in a tank fillpirJe and a If seeing eye" concoaled insiue 9, pump I',-hich prevents delivery a wotor vehicle is staI!dinf [Jeside it! l-i.Uother possible cleveloprJont is a stainless ste01 pur,-,p inst.s.llod in the underground storage t2.nk to foed moters, instead of the convential tYl)8 pump.
The school ended with syndic2.te discussions followed by the IJresentation of' rei.")CJr ts. A ps.nel was in attendance to answer questions tu';; these consiste(:i mainly of details reg:::.rding of the school, students n.rparontly h3.vinc A.irec1 their views on technical matters at th8 conclusion of' the lectures. Incie1entally, it woulf!. 80 churlish to conclude this account without ;;}8nti.':ming the very excellent accori:li;odation provided and the good food. Mr. J.J. Galsworthy, Chief Health Inspector, Blacy H.D.C., did tho thanJ;:s of us 2.11 to Sir Goorge Trovelyan anc1 his staff in a fitting littlo sp9Gch. I would like to add the deepest thanks of all those who atten(lGd to the officors of the Miclland Petroleum Group for all the work they obviously put in to the school such a success.
THE N.,{!!PRE OF PETROLEUM SPIRIT P.ND ITS Hi,zi'.RDS
Paper presented by Mr. W.M. Lewis F.R.I.C., City Analyst, Coventry, to stullents at the Residential School,
j.;.lthough this IT'.ornine it is my cluty to convey to you some understanlling of the Nature of Petroleum Spirit aml its Ha.zards, I would bo in ny duty if at the cOI!lr.lenCemF)nt I d.id not siCnify tha.t I am not an this fiela. I, like tho majority of you present earn my ll\dihood as a Loce.l Governrrront Officer, concerneo. like yourselves with a variety of duties, one of which involves me in the testing of samples submitted for examination uncleI' the Petroleum Lct, 1928 arK":. the (Mixtures) Order 1929. Basically, therefore, I Qill a mere anel it is IHE1.inly as the result of the IJorsuasive lJowers of your excellent colleague and mine Mr. Dean that I find to-jay in the invidious l)osi tion of stD.nC'_ing before y'-Ju with this resronsibility on my shouldors. Now that I have eXcused myself I can with your fore'...:earance, com;·JencQ' thl1 task aheacl.
As I have already mentionecl the pertinent Acts with which presu.mably both you anct I are concerne(l, it is perhaps a good starting point to my talk. Th8 definition of the substr.mce with which we are concorne rl is set forth in the 1928 Act and here "Petroleum" is c1ef'inea. "incluGes crudo lx;troleum, oil made f'rom P etroleum or from coal, shale, peat or other bituminous substances , " and other pro,'.ucts of potroleum •
The definition as you will ar;ree is to say the all embracing ancl upon critical n.r:i.Jraisal perha:t)s C'. little confusing.
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Further "Petroleum Spirit:' means accorC'cing to the i:"ct of' 1928 "such petrolelEl" as when tested in a def'inec_ manner gives off' an inflammable vapour at a temperature of' less then 73°F. Presumably therefore a physical r:J.ethod of' laboratory testing can evaluate the inflammability of' a suspected sara:;:::le.
To appreciate the nature of' the r.a teric:.l however, reqv,ires a knowledge of its origin and, particularly S0r:10 cOYlception of' the of the article.
fill present know th3 of' the starting r.;;ateri.s.l which basically in the Petroleu..."1 Inclustry is crU'le oil or starting stock. Such materit'vl exhibits wide variations in composition and also properties.
Analysis of' the crude oil whose f'orL':ation or thoories of' formation I!lakes facinating reading shows it to contain essentially the two elements carbon -'1nd HYDROGEN in the weicht ratio of' 85 to 15. We also knov: that other elements are also present in very much smaller quanti tics; these to naL1e the Bost important are 5ul:phur, nitrogen am=!_ oxygen.
ThE; elements which I have mentioned are obviously present in chemical cOI!lposition as higbly cOr:J.plex orf.;anic comt·ouncls, so we can generalise and say that the constituents of' PetrolC'U.'Il consist of HYDROCf..RBONS, SUL?HUR CmIT'OUNDS, NITROGEN C OIEPOUNDS , OXYGEN COMPOUNDS, and some nctallic derivatives.
The first group is the one which Si ves to Pe·troleum it s chief chc.'lracteristics ancl is the .l-'roup ubout which, we as people interested in the subj ect, shoul·::'_ h8..ve some basic knowledge.
L!1boratory investi[:ation by Q variety of' tes-I:; s - h::ts shown that tha hydrocarbon ;:::rou:-p is subdivided it is Cl. highly complex collection of' in,",.ividual C and H chewicals which may be roughly cln.ssified as PLR.1;FFINIC, NLPHTHENIC and AROi'iIATIC.
This classif'ication you must appreciate the outset is rather inadequate but it will suf'f'ice for basic knoYvledge in a further appreciati0n of' the subject.
There would appear to be no accel)table standD.rc1.ised. method used t:b..roughout the in:lustry for the f'ull assay of" crucle oil.
a sample of' oil is subjected to a process of' distillation so the process thQt the distil18d materials can be collected in f'racti('ns one is able to assess the yields of' products covering the entire boiling range covering so called light hydrocarbons, light and micldle distillates. residual f'uels, heavy distillate lubricants R-nc.1 bi tUllE:JnS.
The llr-':lmes will be f'mniliar to you and the (liversi ty of" mn.terial r·:;.covered, again you v!ill readily <'tif'f'ers not only in its visual Q.pr-earance but also in its chGfi'.ict:11 and phYSical properties.
From your experience of' th.:) valuable assistance of'f'ered by the petroleum companies you vall also know th[,_ t in a modern ref'inery recovering a J:mltitude of' products froD crude oil straight distillatirjn hr,s long since "Leon superc8(lecl by alternative techniques. Essentially the of these variations have been perhaps f'orced on the industry in attem:!:"t to provide an adequate SUF.:ly of' the n:c toriu.ls dor:nnc.erl 0 'Straight run' petroleum spirit is pf::rhc_ps theref'r;-re not the subst·').nce commercially solrl but f'or the: ,ur:.J:,se of' simplicity in this talk,
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it fits thE: bill. The boilinc.; range yielding the frn.cti ,n cnlleli light hyr1rocC'..rbons, i.8. the first r1.'-..7J. froD tYl',ifies the r:mterir,l we "fish to c:'.iscuss anc1. cOD"cC'..ins the previously DentLnec:t §JOU) of hyrl.rocc.r-bons ::'.. 8 its chief ingreCi.ient.
:;re now h'lvG to lo::,k :lore inti:ilt:' tely o..t this r,:,: in ingrec"icmt this hyc1roco..rbon ,gro'.l]: this croup vihose TIel::bers o..re CO::lposeC', of ess8ntio.lly C 2-ncL H. By tGchniq..les to the l:1boro..tory it h2-s boen shonn thQt whether j)etr()l is produced C'.S ,. strc:,ight run rnterinl or by the c.ltornr:.tive of cre:.cking, etc., the bycl.rocD.rbon content consists of vC'.,ryinf: of the cheuic2.1 f;roui.:' knovm C'.,S N. ancl nll Df'.Qe 1.1:;" froD C 8.ll'.1 H., o.ncl C'.,ll theref'lre hydroc:..rbons. The rn tio of ;:my :me these groulJs to [my other in the chr,r.:.cctorisGS its r)(Jrfe,>::-,o.nce in the internC'.,l com1c1.1sti)n enrine.
l)recisely do we unc'cerste,nu when roferring to the c.bove groups l')orh"..ps to s OT:lG they r:.re aere nnnos with no Dent.:' l D.lJ,;:,recia tion.
To a chenist the I:lere i.)rcmounceuont of either of these no..:!'ec1 groups in his Q cl['.ss of D:1teric..l ',;hich on,;.blGs hin to j)ronosticate its for Y"1.1 to rec..listic['.lly :l:i:Jprocir\'te the IJ[:.tGrinl v:ith ,rhich :you ,:nily CODe into contilct, it is "lY job this Dorninc: to ::,'oint out to you the eloDentary nnture of these groui:)s.
The group r01:'erre"l. to as ?/ include substcmces 'd'lose nr.r'18S will be renCily recor:niso))le HSTnAllj"E, PT.W:i.:'.--j\LS, BIJT/l\!"'E etc., to mention but three. ;'. chonicgl "1 ooksee lf into o:'Och of these substo..nccs shows thc.t the cOJ:lbino..-::;ions of cC',rbon ::cn:1. hyr1ro'..-en tc.kes ',l[',c8 i,"ith 0. systGl,::).tic r8f;ulc..rity c[m be eX:,-lJ:'essoc:" by the fori:ml{c Cn H2n+2.
This the sir.1:;:)lest of the'C';?ll is Ivving but 0n2 carc.on atorJ therofor8 tbe hydrogen etoDs totc.l 4.. ; thus the f'lrmulo. is CF-'4Ethane is the noxt :',ncl 11.::.s 2 c0. rbon 'ltof:lS, h;",s 3 c::crbon atof.1S But'me If-, so the forr:ml2.. for Butane is C4H1 O. The beti'roen tY10 successive Sul'stilnces in the list is CH2. Hfntc..ne, Octilne h[1..ve 8, 9 cn.rLons. The hichGr j.18l:10erS incl1.H:'e n OCTOCOS. .!VJ,i; hr,vin[? 28 c':;.l'bon c'.tOlllS in molecule.
To J:lcmtLm but two pro:'orties with which you 13oilini' Feint [,net Specific Grilvit,v', both of these propressively as TIe the series.
?ROFLNE BUT:'1ill KEFT;,j\[E DECLNE
BP SG -164°C Gas 0.415 lJ-4.toC Gns 0 .585 + 1 0 C 0.600 + 98 0 C 0.683 +178 0 C 0.747
are concorne::., :roperties increc.se
FP 156°F 76°F 25°F 115°F
1\.11 these substances burn in !lir or oxygen nhich if present in sufficient quc.mtity yiel(ls co.,rbon r:Lioxiue anr'. wC'.-ter 2.S conbustion "Jro(1.ucts. Lar["e vclunes of bl'1.ck sLoke are if the [tir is restricteJ.
ISmiJEIUS1!I If il che"ist ',Tere !lSke(L to vrri te the symbolic fortI --;:1cthme he ;-ioul, , v[rite H H
k
H j H CI
H I C-H I H H ETH:'.NE
I I C- C-CI I I -C-C-CI I I
BUTll.NE
cl
t_H
PROPANE
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With such subst ,:mces fro i':l But <D,ne u pvm. rc",-s h o vTc ver it i s for the C a ncl H at t a cn.'"!lent to vE'.ry, thus:-
ISO BUT:J'IE 'I'his is still r'.. p OT 2.. ffin but l1<'- s which d iff er fr oTI But2.ne. e. g the ::Joi lin g· j ' o int is -12 n C 2.ncl th8 Specific Gravity 0.557.
With Hexilne ha ving ::; c a r b o n it is :)o ssible to [C rr c.nge the 6 carbon at;"";; ' t o p roduce 5 C1.. iff c rent
The o..p:i.larently for'i.'D.r c l fTDUp of' l )c. rtLffins nm'T become s f:t c Oill:.;; l e x g r o u p , for viheren.s thre e suDstn.nces existe d up t o a ncl incl u,ding P:r 2J2.Q. ne nith the inclusi o n of the c oopo und s nunb er n ot 4 but 5 a n cl the hi c her in the ser ies the Do re cO Dp l e x the is ome rs to s \,18 11 t he t o t 2..l [tv ,:" il :::,·' ·le l:;o.,rn.ffins.
fo r the l OVle r menbe rs of th :; serius which che :- :ico.lly re o..d ily r eact wi th such e le Tilents as Chl orine e-cc., the hi ;:": her l:1GL1b ers a re r n.the r che r:1ic a lly inert.
To sUDrl1aris e , the I) C'.r a f f ins a re open chn in hy :J r oco., rbons of the ge ner c.l for o ul a Cn H2n+2 n.nd r o. n g e fr o m th e g·o..s u8th<'..ne throu g h a s eries o f li qu i d s t o s o li;' s.
The so c a lle d ttnap hthen e lT COT,ll;ou n :-l s founCl, in th0 l, otrr)JD um s p irit fr £', cti 0 n of a re 2 go.. in h y d r ::l c t'.riJ o ns :J_n:· ' i ff'er from the :;;a r n. f fins whi ch o. re ···:;:-!en chc:.in c or:1l:,cYIJ, n r",s in t th c;; s e r e
In other wor d s the o.. 'C Oi .1 S 8.1' e joino (' c ycJ_ ic D.ll y The l m, est me;r,ber of t h e g T 0 1J.P c o nt2.ins 3 c a r'"j o n o.. t OLlS rt n::' is the n n-Le TRI "IlETF'1.TT T<'lF' SU0 sec1'uent C OLl:)O Lln d s of tl:e "" 2' n 11--) "r"' · agai n by l ' L 1 .J _J. .J .;,.I. " c , _v '--' the ad(li ti r; n of a c o.. r bo n ato!">:; ('.nC a re n ::.r::Gcl, HEXA etc
The symbo lic for !::ml o.. for SUdl dC'cy b8 1.vr i tten t h us:"c (/ ""
I TETRA- FEN'I' A l':f.B:l' lrnENES Sys t ema tic n ame s a r e g iven t o th o subs t ...:m c e s 9..n:1. 'thGY8re=c;ft e n referre cl. t o a s CYCLOPROP': l\TE( 3), CYC LO Dl J'I' " NE(J-:-) etc.
You VTill a t o nce rec og n is e t h£: t unlike the series th e se c ompo un(,l, s c a n b e exp res so f[ b y the f 0 r Ul.1.l [', CnH2n' T h ey a re
Th e Naphth o ne hyd r o c a r bo ns r ese r;,b le t he in their Gene r a l skt b ility .s. n c1.. re a ctivity of 110 iline r 'o int :... ne l , etc ., a s wo d esconc_ the
CYCLOPIi.OP /;J\f.E CYCLOB1J'rJ,. NE CYCLOHEYu': NE CYCL OHEPT!u' .!1J
BP o -33 ° C 1 3°C 81 0 C 11 8°C
SG. 0 .7 08 0 0 779 0 0 8 1 0
hy c1rocn.rbons Lgai n the s e ri 0 s
1
C I C_ I
I
I , C /"" TRI-
I -c- c- \) / C_ 'C/ "C c / ,---
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'.
the triDethylene or CYCLOPROPlur.E is not very stable f'.rrl. is quite reactive chel:lically, tetramethylene or CYCLOBUTlm"E is !:lore stacle ant=:' less rec..cti vc; the remr.inder of the series are quite st!'.ble c.n6. show little tendE',ncy to chenicG.lly.
The third clt':.ss of hyo..rocf'..rbon in the :.!etrol is the grou:) known as the /:..:R.Oi'It TICS. This groupagn.in includes ""hose nQne s are thoroughly f£.l:;J.l1fl.r • The lower ]!loncer of groui.) is we :::.lso ho.ve TOLUEi-JE and the
CheIJ:lical eX2Dinati.-,n revoo.ls that the carbon hydrogen ratio vo.ries through-out the c:rou:L;, but £111 I1ssociatod COID1)Ounds to the lX1.rent BENZENE which the formula C6H6 a.nd is El. rin8 cOL'll")()und again.
Benzene as you are 1111 c.ware is £>.. liquid insolu::!.ole in water, less dense, V81'Y inflal.lElc..ble and o.n excellent solvent. '.roluene is E'.lso a liquid with properties very similc.r to Benzene.
Lgain if "\/8 s:iJ8cific gravity
BENZENE TOLUE.NE XYLENE
.:;xa!:1ine these we get:TIP Booe 110°C 140 0 C
for boiling and SG FP 0.B74 12 0 F 0.870 40 0 F 0.880 77°F 103°F 115°F
If wo write the formula for :3enzene we obte.in .-/6 -c '\,c I\ C/
I I c c "'C::::: j I for Toluene
Xylene, the next in the series is such that it is lossible to wri to the for!Julr'.. 3 ways. / "'-( I
Three Xylenes are knmm to exist, 9[1.ch differing slightly in pro:Jerties fron the other. They are ;'l:enerally known QS ORTHO, tErrA and F1JtL XYLEm; :::..nd all 8.re feund in the petrol fraction of PotroleUr1.
Finally the last group [!.re the and once a,:.'1.in you will rep..c1ily recogniFG the; nn.nos ["J.lotod to individlHll members. The sil:l:;lest is ETHYL"0NE follo;c'ed by P=:'OPYLEi'i:F, and C'<nin thG chetlical revo<,_ls tha hy(l.rot::en ratio to bo syste!!l.'l.tic illustrE'.ted by thu gcner(' l fornub. Cn H2n·
In their physicc:.l :i.,roper·ties theSE) COl':'. ounds the :.othrme hOLologucs very closely. 'fhe first 3 C3H6 ['.nd ebB 8 £>..11 gr.\.S8S i. (;;. EthylenG, Propylene c:.nd .outylono. The noxt ?5H1 0 -. ion through che serJ.EJS I":J. vas dlth ,)J.nt.s the hit hest in the series are scliJs sioilnr to tho :.','.r:1ffins.
/!' I
-12-
The se substances differ fr o m the par::.:ff'ins in tha t they e. re more oxidiseQ.
It is obv-i o us, I h ('r e , f r o m t h e so f' .s. r c 2 v o recL th ':-t t Fetroleum Sl! iri t f a r fr o m beinz 2. sim:. ,le a nti ty consist s of' ['.. number of com;> ,) unc s. Ch" mically the refore it is n j i th c r fe [l,sable nor desirable to be able t o rrn ke COIT'i· lote /'. s I s i."i. ic1 initi<). lly much of th:: petrol eu m s }J iri t fr acti o n frc Hfl c ru (1e o il is unsuitable for use in the mode rn motor en;; ine e n '·; thus mo dern refinery l.) rocess e s incl ude r efo rming or c rd:;o.lytic p rocesses which convert l ow oct ? n'-1 r 2..ti n t; hyclr occ. rb o ns to th o se of' hi g her performance. Thus t he: n o rft1[ol 2. r ,:) 8o nve:c'te c l into ISO. P:'W.JJ"FINS, OLEI'INS and The hi c her Olef'ins c..re themselves converted int o Na·) hthenes ;::' ll' ; f roffi'1tics. Th o a r :) m:l tic content of a motor c a r f U3 l is of' imi:.. o rt a nc e in rosj.,ec t t c) the s o lvent Gff e ct o n rub be r j o ints, r ump di[l:::.:. hr ag ms 2, n ,l i:; ()c<:.c use the fr ee zing po int of benzene is abo ut 5 ° C it m::cy cryst':::cllise out during peri o cts of cole1 "T 8Qther.
Obvi o usly the p rime,ry re qu irement o f' Q mo t o r f'U 0:; ]_ i s t it s v apo ur should burn effiCiently un c,er' th o conc1i ti o ns in the cylinder to l ibe r a te the I!l.C,ximum a mount oE us ef' ul enorr:y. Other must 8.1so bo of im:;;ort n nce it must not a tt::l.Ck tho v a rious i.e. rub be r -n o r must it do:;:) 0 si t sticky g 1..Un residu e s t o cl og :) i ;; e s or stick valves. The ty must v1hi lst being n o t be so g r eat that excessive losses f'r o m st o r age o ccur o r va )o ur lock in th e a n gi na.
The v o l a tility of a fuel is assossed th e boiling r a n g e wr.ich norm a lJ.y r a n g es 3 0 C 2, n J. 2000C. T o ensure a re c. s o n e,bl e f' l e xib ility in th E: enc,ine cl..urj.n c war:11ing u ;, st ag e th e ma ximum te m:;::: e r nt ure a t '" hich 1 Or;:: is boilEJc1 o:ff' is impo rt ,nt 55/6 0 o C is the vclue usually empl oyed . :Noa rly h 2.1f th e fuel sh o ul c:t bo il of f belo w 1 oaoc. n n e : the Cl t wh ich 90f. : h e, S e v a po rated (1 80° C) sh o ul d n o t -be o xcessi inc oFl'.,lete c ombustio n o ccurs Vlith c o nsequent d iluti o n o f tho cr r.nLk CEt88 o il Clnd f o ulin£ of the p lu !; s.
Pe tr o leum Spirit c ont a inin G a s it dOGS the v::crietv of' c o nu ounds enum e r ated Qnd a lso m.any o·thers e; ives rise to hc..za;:" ct s. Vapo urs :from th e f lui d a re g iv e n off ·which ma .'l be c"les cribccl as bo th a n d TOXIC. Petrols '\'i rd. ch contain Benzene in :;xOlrticular IP.ay give rise t o a Toxicity haz a rd a t conc e nt r::t.t i o n wo ll belo W the 1 0 lf er limit of flamm a bli ty •
The f l a mmab ili ty r a n v e o f l)e trol v apo ur vdll obv i :ms l v c.1Gj) end on the bl o n d of us ed but i s c enerall v tak Dn re ;' r t:'-ll [,'in g be t wee n 1% a ncl 6% p etr o l v apo ur in c, ir. !.. f a ct ;th i c h n oJc c:', lw ay s 8 s jJG ci e lly by thos e pe 0I) l c wh o sl) 'No rk const'·,. ntl y "crings them in cont e ct vd th s uch f' luid is :;:lct r o l will })ro c:"u cG a n qU 2.nt it y o f v ar, l)ur e v en at t emJ) er at ures ,:'8 l o w .':c s OOF. Thus s uch mate ri a l p r e sents a n e xplos iv e h az 2- rd un cLsI' C,J_Hl os t 9.l1 cond i ti c ns o f st o r ag e a n (:l the utmo st c a re in han c11in e must be c
Ob vi o usly it is fre quen tly n e cessary :fo r e ither o n mot o r v e hi cl e s or e up ty stor ag e t a nks t o t a ke p l Qce n e cessitntine: the us e oL vIo l d in g techni qu o s.
Ir o n rust ",hich is u b i qu i t o us in n r.t tur e is ['o n cxce ll o nt stor [l.[ e p l ace for pe tr. ) l .:'.ncl may l e ['.(1 , in n n vesse J., t o s u f':I: ici e nt to re a c h the minimum haz ar d 1 %
T o safogu;?, r c l a 6 a ins t su ch l eve ls device is a vai l (t b l e kno 1.',rl! as a n " extd.. osi me te r' ; , ;Thi ch is cap2.b l e o :f r ec oT'c in :, hy (1 r n ca bo n v apo ur in a iln ab o v e 2.b o ut 1L1,O :i.J Ds.i. i.G. w'G ll
below' the maximuE1 permissiblo concentration re eJ\."JJlosion.
PetroleWIl Spirit containin(; Benzene yroduces 0. V8.')our which on is considero.bly mo:ce toxic them hyc1.roc;crbon v"l.pour. In order for to occur the Benzene va·:JOuC' Emst be :::.bsorbccd. into the bodv vir.; the air in the lun·r··s'md. distributod the 1)ody by of th·" Ordinarily, ljoisoniniS clOGS not occur I!ithout absorbtion on the othGr hs.nc.i. l",oes not necossarily or a.l1:i11.yS result in poisonin[::. 'rhe hur.1C'.n boo.y is rroviclec.1. '.'ith ".n el"borate system of protocti ve moch:::.nisms C'_nd is c.bl..:; to tolero.to to o.n amazing degree tho :;:-Jresence of Ei:::.ny toxic materio.ls. Some are excrete via the urine, SOD1;, e:xhaleci. ,,';ith Q}cpirecJ. air, sor.le are Lletabolishod"ncl. 8xcr0ted in I'm altered forn. Benzene is revealed clinic·:'..lly by an cl ter,ction in tho red b100(1 cells 3nd severe poisonins c:::uses bleodinc into the urinary tract. Benzene h8.s a definite cUL1ulc:.tive eff'ect :::.nd daily 0xposure to a concentration of 100 p.s.i. or less will usunlly cause damo.ge if continued over a protracted period. of time.
FatiGue, headache, dizzynoss, nausea o.ncJ loss of are the vague symptoms associE.'_tecl ,-::-ith chronic i-loisoninr as th,:> result of d[dly inhalntion.
Because of its hiC:h toxicity rCl.ting the: mr:.ximum '1110wo.blo concentrr.:.tion ;,h8re Benzone va'.Jour is present is only 25 p. s. i. in air for 8 hour oXJ.:osure ;;eriocls i.e. v1811 below tho OJq:J10sim0:d;3r sensitivity.
The toxicity hazarcls from :3enzene are in goneral w'oinly rroolOYJ1s involvinr: entry into tanks cont[:.inin,:· 2n0_ '\,hon bre::::.thinc 2-Pl):"..rr:.tus is not ""ov2.il::-,ble.
V.tl?OU': DENSITY is .:::;. ElG 'Si.ll'O of the cler'si ty of the of a ·sub;-t,n-.:l';-c 0 compcT0d Vii tll h; 01 r:.ir. The v<:::,ou1' s of most fla;nD(.2.ble liquids r:re her'..vior th:::.n nir tilUS they c'J.n reD.cl..ily flo'.1;J into 101'.' OycCl.v,,_tions etc. Vo.pour Density 13enz 8ne 2.77; Hoxr..:.ne 2.97. The Dens i ty of petrol v2.ries betvmen 3.0 [cnd Ll-.O de:;.)on,'.in{:; w,on its composition. A.s you centloIDcm [l,re il.W'.'Lre it requires three factors to produce a fire (a) fuel (b) oxygen or o.ir 2.nd (c) hoc,t. If either of these are not present in the :;.)ro:)or i;roportions or (let:ree no fire will occur. The ,'1.ir [,_n r1 thus the oxygen is aouncl[mt ilnd for us v[ho clo')end. unon it for our exist:.nce ubiquitous. The other fr:.ctors are Correct sitinr's ,",-n(::' ventillrLtion '."ith ['_dcC;.uate the collection of va:;;our ;)ockets rec;.uces the potentin.l fuel s1..lp)ly.
The sourcos of ignition (1) open flames (2) electrical sources (mat ors, sv,itchos, relays, f'uses, circuit breakors) (3) overhoatine (4) Hot (5) Materinls ants for spont.:,,_naous i:-.ni ti;.-·n (wipinC' Vt::stc oily resi,·1.U8S ) (6) Sl),'J.rks (7) Static (bolt drive mc,chinory"Cnd rel2.tivcly low hU8idity) (8) friction overhcntod fans some of the sources of the tllird <:.n<'. !:!ost ess8nti:l1 of the three requisites. This lL'..tter is the onc ovex' i:hich you [;:;ntlemen control to (maure the 0:' h::-:zarcl to the COl.:1ffiUi:,i ty
-14-
THE I NST..:-'lL LAT TON OF UNDER GR OlJt )"I) S T OR AC·E T .i>JI1KS ON LI CENSED lJND ER OF T 1-:;1; ,EETR OL ";m i ( 192 8
P a per p r e s en ted by Mr. ' 7 . /:.. . Bea ttie A TvI .I. Mec h .E., N .Tnt. Pe t. Pr o j e ct E nc in eo r, Mo th e r-ii e ll Bri dG e 2: En ::o; ine o rin [; Co. Ltd. to stua.e nts 2.. t t h e Scho o l, •
PREAJ.ffiLE
The re a son f or Lic e ncin g is t o e n s ur e S flI ET Y
The Petr ol e Ulll J-..\ark e ting Ino.us t ry h a s a n e xcell e n t r e cor c l of' S AFE OP:sRA.TI ON a n d t h is st e T ll S fr om th e a cti v e mc.. nif'est be t wee n t h e in'J.ustr y e, n o. t he l o c a l s overnr.'le nt d e·) ' :.r t l!H n t s co ncer n e d wi th t h is p ri De obj e ctiv e t h e i 'd ea l alJp r o a ch to the des i g n, cons truct i o n C),nd ma int ena nc e o f f a ciliti e s i' o r t h e oc. r ke ting of p etr o l eum p r odu c ts is a c o nsi (1 er a t i o n of:-
( a ) SAFETY
Cb) EFF ICI ENC Y
(c) E CONOMY in thc t ord e r.
P ursuin g t h is n o t i o n of' d e si g n , w e h .?. v o the f o ll mvin g e l eme nts of d e si g n t o study t o a c h ie ve a s c. t is f a c t o r y und e r r r o unc1 st o r ag e t a nle inst a lla ti o n fo r p e tr o l eum
1 • S iting
2 P rovi d in g ag ain st f r o m t h e t a nk.
Ma t e r i a ls o f c o nst r ucti o n, de si gn : Tile thoc.1 of f ab ri c a ti on: in s p e cti o n n n c l t e s tin ;:-,' 0
3.
Me t ho d s 0 : c o mb a t ing e xt er n a l co rr os i o n. Pr e -ins t e.lla t i o n surf a ce tr e a t r.ae nt of t a n k s: cho ice of e nc o si n g r.la t 8 r i a ls a n d. d.es i g n. Bric k Va u l t s/Ma ss Co ncr e te .
4.
Pern:U1. nency a n d Qn e!. e f f ici e nc y of in s t a ll a t i o n. Exc a v a t l o n l e v e ls, a ncho r in g , t e st ing
DurinG the pa s t 10/1 5 y ea r s the n a tur a l p r- a c e s s of' p ost ,:,:a r r ed eve l opme n t c o u p l e d wi th the e;r owt h or t h e mo r o rin{s p u b lic hc'l.. s r e s u lte d in the i n st a l lP,t i o n of a E; r ea t n UlLlb e r of' st o r a Ge t a nk s a ll o v e r th e c o untry T h e tencl. e nc y h s s b e e n t o in s t t':.ll mu c h l a,r g er t a me s them h i the rt o a nd t s. nks e n c a s orl in ma s s c oncr e t e a re n ow th e rul e r a t he r t ha n the ex ce p t i n n .A p oi n t of h e r e is t he Hom e Office Mode l Cod e sp8 c i f i es bri ck va ul ted c ha mbe rs c s a n a l ter n a tive t o ma s s c o n c re t e enc 2.. s eme n t r 2. t he r th n t h e o th e r TNay ro u n d , a s o n e e xpe ct.
Th e 1. i r st s te p in the de v e l op me nt / r edeve l opraG n t of' a F i llin g St atio n af t e r the ini ti a l ,pp r o, is a l , i s t o d eci d e the , p osition fo r th '1 Dr o o s ed u nr'co r Grou nrJ. 3;o..ch l oc a l a u t hor i ty dema nds " t blt t a mini muiil d i s t a nce is obs e r ve d. be t v' Ge n a buildingVa n d e. stor o.ge t a nk; wh e re a t some ':i.at e P et r o JeWil
15-
Spirit will be stored. In short the site for single or multiple t2.n.k instr:.llations shou.l'3. b,J cccrefully selected to ensure the Si FE I{SCEIPr, S e,nrl H llfDLING of PetroleUB Spirit. They shoulcl be sited in the opun vdth unrestricted entry and exit space. The main hazard to be avoided beinG the of heavier than air vapour clisplaced fro;;} uncterF;round tanks, being filled.
2. TANKS
tG.nks for petrol filline-: 2.nd ;:>ervice Sti.:tions are usu<:.lly cylindrical in form end almost ,::,l'iI2.YS mQ.de of ste:;l plc.tes welded ·tocether. (FiL·re glass rcinforcecl plastic tanks have been cleveloIlcd, but c.re yet to eraer['c on the :nE'.rket as a serious They are made in various sizes from 250 I.G. up to 5,000 I.G. and Such tn.nks used by th-'l ma.jor oil cOffiIJ2.r.ies in the U.K. are built in accorclance \.j th B.S.S. 2594: 1955, specification covars th.; constructi:m of horizontal wolded steel stora["e tanks "'.nd specifies the ?.p;:oro:;;Jriate plc,te thicknesses for th;;; shall enc_ dished on(ls amI the rlia.torial standard of welding to be ernployed on weldinr. the seams. 'ranks so constructed are tested to 10 p.s.i. in accordanc;:: witl, t11.0 above Specificf'l..tion, e:i ven a.nt!.exterior coat of bitumE,stic paint and are then ready for c:'espatch to th.: site.
2 •
It is usual practice to lT08 uce such tanks in br.:tches. The ta.nk shells are woll formed. r.me c.ssei.J.b10G. ,"ithin Cl030 cl.imensionf:l..l limits anrl check c8.1ibrc.ticn is c?rriec1 out to the extent of 1 in 1 0 Elinir..1um, this chock full valumetric calibrntion.
A dip roe:' ph te 8" c1.ir::.. is alwcl.Ys welded. to the tan.k shell on the inside L·,n;8rliE:.tely under tho (....i:;J pipe to protect the s hell from rossiblo erosion/dr:m!:(,:e from continual Dochr:.nico.l contact -r:Jith the rh) roel.
T;tnks !!1ay be said to !JG stnnctarcJ.ised so that the tcrGs of nny licence arc. reg.i.lirocl [lore 'ir:i..tb c:. viev.' to th:;,n to pre scribe tho size of' the or the thickness of the plc,tes, 'tJhich cnn bo safely left to the r,l::mufCl.cturo.cs the purcha.ser.
Every tank now inst02.11ecl. is of welded construction frith dished ends ."mc1 aft.Jr bef'oru being enc.-:,sed/vaul ted is tested by the Local l,uthority Inspector to 10 Ib/sq.in. To carry out su.ch ,'. test on .'lxistine tnnks "Jhich be of riv8tea construction flat ends is extre',lely strinGent a110.. unnoc1!ssarv Consider the force exerted by c. 10 Ib/sq.in. test on such a tallie, v • s!'>,y of' 6 ft. (,in., this v-loul,,- bo in the re,:ion of 18 tons, nncl 'mule1. tonCl. to c .'luse n leak rathor thf.n fine'. a.n oxist:i np; le2.k.
In the: r;rae.t majority of' inst[,ll·-ticns 17hor0 the mass c oncrete techniclue is employncl it is te S[1.tisfactory to use ··::ortlG-ncl. Cement Concrete. It has been known for a nwnber of th?t sul1-hntes in soll'tion are lic!.bl<:l to ordinary concr,:;te. This is n. of lonrst.?nd.in€:: in U1Rny localities n.ne:. severe c.?sos of c.t·te.ch: 'by soluble sulph;:,te Sl'.lt h2.ve b·.;;;:n known to result in sori::JUs concrete CI.aI!w.p). Th" s ul:,'hc tes most likely to b" in clay sub-soil ,-,11;1. in ground l:rator co nti"in8cl in th::: soil :;.re r.t:;inly (lUG to th,) of (!.Yl)sum, Epson SuIts, Orclinr!ry concrete ;'1'-:,",1.,: ':!ith the co::ent is [:'ener::llly r,.)sist:'.nt 8no' 1I"r provirler:t. tho sulj"hc" te c!)ncEmtr:tic'ns [;lo(:h,;:'ate n·::. tho dense 0.11" stron::::.
-16-
1
In c a ses where high concer...tr Et tion is eX".gerienced, thcn it is necessary to t a k e speci a l p recautions, i.o. using sul p rud;e resisting concrete
Ordinary Port1 2, no. c8 28 nt contains 2. certC',in aiilouHC o f [l l1)sl'.ina which is susceptible -Co attack by sulphates. In th p. resisting c oment, the a l1).mina content is rc(: ucecl. 2 n d t h e iron oxide content of the cem e nt incre a s e d so tl"! ::. t th e components in th e set concrete which are more susceptible to a t t {: cx: by sulph £"- t:::s a re present only in ne gli g ible quantiti e s. This is achieved. by th e use of s pG cial & no. more e:·;::r:;ensive r a w '"D.a terials of' I'}e,nuf' a ct'Jx e .
To determine wheth r3r sul:;:->ha te resistin f : c em ent sho l ucl. b 8 used , it wOl.' ld be necess a ry to mak ,3 2-n ane lysis of the 2.TOuno. 'Hat8r collecting in a n e xc e.va t ion . lUthoug h s u l p h r: te rosistin::" celllent is appr Gci o.bly hi te.her in cost tha n ordinar:y c Vl hcn co n sic'ce r ed aga inst the cost a :!:' the concret o a n incr o cLs3 O J': ,:;. l-:;l : U.t 5% is Usually the sulphate resisting concrete is s p ecif'ied in al l c ases .
GENERAL2RHCIPLES
We are p a infully a V'lare th a t me t a ls corrod e and. the n e tals Elost used in ind ustry an d CO filIaerce a re gD ner c. lly speclcinL the on e s that corrode most e a sily .
Pliny attributed the tendency for iron to corrode/r 1'. st to a curse inflicted on iron f or the war -like uses to ',,'rhich it h e.cl boon put. ti J'Tature H h e wrot e , "in conformity vvith her usual ben e volence h Et s limited the p 01'rer of iron by inf'lic t in g on i t i: h e '") uni s hment of' rust'l. It h. s been e s tiJlla tod th n, t durinr: t h e f' irst ·r of' this c e ntury a l a r ge r Cly a ntity of a ll met a ls w-;" s e xtr a ct r.:Hl-' fro m the earth's crust tha n in all pr 8 vi o us history. Conserva t:i.on of Elo tallic r e sourc e s is now a g r eat pro "!J lem. It is not nec o ss a ry "co stress till vit a l b e arin g of corro s i o n u .'.l on me t a l conser v ation.
Why a.O me t a ls cor r ode? i.Fi;bat is the connecting link between:
1.. Corro s i o n of t h e hull of a Ship?
2. Corr osion of a n uncLe r t;r ol.l.nc1 p i p eline: or tcmk?
3.
Corrosi <) n of the structura l memb e r o f a bricl[; e ?
Supp os e a me t a l is .l e ft to its own ct EJ vices a n :'. a ll m'ecL to rust c omp l ot ely. "'ir e t h e n f J.n o. r ena rkab le r o se mbl e ncos b ,c"b l e e n the corr o si o n prod u cts of th " , me t a l J [m d the n in o r a l for ms in which it is f ound in n a tur e . Metal n 2, S re curne d to tho condition o f' the ore f r om it wa s ex tr tw t e d. Corros i on is thus revG a l od as the converse of ne t a l e x tra ct i on. The rc d uct :i. on of' me t a l f' r o m its st a te of co rubi n a tion in n a tur e b e ing a chi e ved by th e expe nc1i tur e of' ene r g y , it f ollows only fo r the so c a lled NOBL >; Dlo t ::-:. ls is the) m(;t a llic sta t e st a bl e a nC' na tur a l. F or o "ehe r Elcd:; i'..c l ;,; t ;:wrG mu s t be a c ons t a nt effort t o r e v er t t o t h e st a bl e conc1 i t i on o f th.e min e r a l wi th lib e r c.ti on o f corr e s po n d. in e: in to t ha t Gx.p u nCLed in it s r e 2 ucti o n.
In so f a r as t b is effort sUcce ed s is the i li1.<--:'le Cl.i a te r e s ul t study of c o r ro si o n th e r ea cti o n oe t v"e ,e; n l s and h e r n on-m e ta lli c envio r n me nts is b e c !)l11i n p; a sci n nc 8 0
/ ./ ,I • ..r ,;./ ENGINE ZI:t ING Co -o p OSlO ' «.,' roT. -.. _L!1 1 .:; n ' MI CH ODIOLO GY "
PHYSICS -17-
DI AGRAM
It is true to say nuwb0r of Potroleun Officers still ten(l to fav01.'r the vaulte.:.l. ch.:l:;,:)c;r i:lothoct rathor th£1.n the mass concrete technique. In the fe,ce of 2.11 the disl:'.dvantasos this T':.ethocl IJresents it is difficult to
1 • Tcke up more spe,ce.
2. Internal ren.'1.ering broaks dOrin, water percol[ticn.
3. Have to be cov9red \·"ith reinforced concrete stronG enour;h to y!i thst.::cnd tr£1.ffic.
4. Teko loncer to construct.
5 • Generally inoro expc,Jnsi ve
Mass concrete
1 • Provides positive protection against external vc 2.2:encios.
2. The homogenous concrete jacket provides a second2.ry resistance to possib12
•
3. Hel2.ti vely easy to inst:=-:.ll ancl provicles for Cl bre",ter ne<·.suro of c onstrnctionc.l floxi1:'ility in poor am:. bno. condi ti··ns.
4. Rcl,,,tivoly inoxpansive with the other rllothod.
It is often c:;,l'{:cuocl thct once 8.. tank: ho.s been inst?llec1 in a concrete j2.ckot, it is there for (;000. that it thus sterilises the Ground c.gr.inst i'urtLor o.evolop!:lcnt, for' ey,r.mple roo.o. r-ridening. In such circunstanccs the rOl:!oval of a tank frOle! a brick vault wou':"d :probably be less troub18, but tho rCI;1 oval fron n concrete surround. not be insuDGrCl.olo. In both C3.SGS the. tanks YTould. 0;:; subjocted to tho trcrctnont to rGnc1er th O!1 SAFE.
1 .Excr:wdion
It is alwo.ys the of the ;rchitcct/Eni;ineor in charge of an underground t&.n.1(/pU;,l)ing inste.llution to Gntl.GIlVOUr to install undcre;rounrl te.nks whor(;, they:-
(a) Satisfy stD-tutory conditions, (b) (c) (d)
::"re operationnlly convcmi0nt, Require ruinimU!!l excc.vntion, Are instQllo,l f;tt a depth b,,-"-lo'.'i' ';7hich observes -cho li';Jib:.tions on suction lift of t he s •
A larf,;e :;Jorcont:"',ce of uns,,,,,tisfo.ctory l:,urnp <:1.r8 C2.us,;.(!. by f!'.ilure to o'bse:rvo nr tur ,1 1'n-/s lirnitin: th0
-18-
suc tio n lift on volatile ma teri e.ls such a s ga soline. G2. s o 1ine, cue to its 10'il er boiling point is ,,-, ore dif'f'ic i_'- l t -Co p w :np tha n k e ros e ne or fuel oils a n d more ,o:. ttGnti o n m,1.lst b o g i VGn t o the des.ign of th e s uction sid,::; of' ,the p ump ing system. "Experience has shown gasoline may oe p UDlpeCt at n e o. rly full voluiJ.w tric efficiency, wh e n the comb inect v o rtic fl.l li f t a nd fric-c:L0 n in thG sucti o n line s does not c a use _ VaC1.l1lTll to GX C8 0cl 6" Hg 2.t th e s u cti o n part of the ;:-} ump
Six inches Hg on g a s o lin e is eC:,u c.,l t o 2 ;Jy) ro x i : 'l.:1, t Gl y ten f ee t vertical lift, without fricti o n. In 6 o.s i r:: n i n c tbe suction side of the ins-call"d;:i,on, if 111a xim-'.ln1 v a cuum is ke p t to this fi gure or lower g ood r e sults ffi E.y b e expe ct ed If', hmreve r, thi s v a cuum is exce eded it is &lm os t boun d. t o r c s1..ut in CAVI TATION los s of v o l ume &nc1 a n o isy in s t a ll cc t j_o n.
Pr a ctice h a s sho wn that f'or under g round t a nk / c--lisp"nsing pump inst a ll a ti ons 12 ft. vGrtic a l len g th bet'wee n p u mp ::__ n e.'- b o tt om of t a nk is acceptab1 0 Depth of t a nk ex c a v a ti o n , 'therePo r e , must b e desi g n ;} Q t o su i t ' this a b o v e condi ti o n. For exan:=,l e :-
Concr e te r af t a t b o ttom of e x cavati o n 6" to 9 f1
Tank d i ame ter 7'0"
Nomina l cover over t a me 2'0 11
2 t' .-'" c, v a ];9n
Exc a v a ti o n i s , in the ma j o riJcy of c a ses execute d by me cha nic a l me an s, a l thous h in the od eL c ase h [',nc--;' ex c Ew D. ti o n hets to b e e mp l oyed In the C2.se o f me c hEL nic u l 8xca v Gt i r )n, it is usua l for th e sides ana. bottom of' the exc e.vatio n t o b e tri mmed b y h a nd.
Ge n e r a lly b r o un c l cond:Lt ions a re sucl'1 th e s i cle s of a n excavatio n will st a nd u p ", lth the mini mum o f of' t e n non e is r e quire c l The r e is li t i.; l c; point in l')rovi d in;,' shutt e rin g i f i t is n ot n e cess a ry. Apar t f'r'Om th8 c Xl-,c nse it is oft e n d if f ' i cult to pos i ti -::l n t a nks be t 1f! oen the excav.2ti o n ' a nd still r e ta in the ho r izont a l sh utt e rin g memb e rs. In the event b a d [!, r o un d is e nc o untere ,} th 0 dec is i o n r e Sl J.1.1ttering is b o s t l e f t to th e spec i a l 'ist a n C:, a b ood co ntr a ctor will t a ko 1, :h a t e ver a ct i o n i s n e c e ssa r y to pre v e n t l o o s e CrI)Ul')c'L i nto the concr e te , wh Gn it i s .
'
,'la t Gr is, of course , comlYio n in e X-ca v a ti e n over 213f t. d eep, b ut not in a ll C[;S QS. Deponcli n c o n th e; s r ate: it can b e dea lt vri th q u j t e simp ly by t ri m;-ll in g t h e b ott o m of' t he e x cav2. ti o n, a s d i gg in g p roc '::;e r-:: s , t o a corn C:1 r sump ' ,-; h ::: re it Cet Yl be p ump eel out.
Lo o se s o il/s a n d and na ter to cot h o r i s t h e ';'Jr:'b l el'n A s 'with a ll civi l El n Gine e Y'in n- wo rks Un(J e r i ro und. , s p cod Dct; ir; n is th e s 1 t· . b' / • o. u l o n o. n (l, thi s ap' ) li e s wher e l oo se, run ni n g s an o v:a t o l:' a re e nc ountere cJ. more tha:n in a ny oth i) r co n d it i o n. There a re A.. DJ: me th o d s of rlea lin(' with t h is Dr o b l e m, but in th e c D.. i3e o : Gl a tlv (;] y s ha llo w ex c a v :1 t i o ns ono is f a v o u re (l Thi s i s th e ,iiLL P OINT DB'fLTEJJIJ:JG ::; YST J3: r A " We ll P oint" is a p i:;:' 8 or ut ed she ll tub e a t the bott om of whi c }') is a ball v B.l v c a nd n O d 3z le a rra n c'eme nt mt ich op e n,s i f' wate r is clO" ' D t h e tube a n 1 , '" , f c os e s Wh e n t he ':J i pe i s s uctl o n. T h e l ow er 2/3 f'e e t o t h a p i' k t ' hI ' s r " + 1- '- ar e , , pe l S pe r fo r a t ed Wl n 0 e c:. n n In '"ue n ' c o v e r ea 1nl't h a y' r r uz e T ' t £0 the> ' , " CJ, fln '" me s h scr eG n b' ' • ' G o o p 0.£ "" ],) l 1' e p r o v' d o 1. ed wit h f i tti n e; s fo r r.l18, n ifo l c1ing 0
19-
The c..rea to be dewutered is surrounded with well points, the spacing correspondinG on th0 nr.ture of the grounQ the volume of the [rOUnd water flowing (max. spo.cing 3 ft.). They are jotted into the crounc1 vertically by water clovm (250/300 [:pm). the well point is :lown to the required level/rcopth the water is kept floy/inS c.nd in risinr:: to the surface creates an annular space around the well point pipe; into this space Ilea frfwel is then poured. to provicte a filler and. prevent sand from being sucked into the: system anc" it.
Eo.ch ,reIl lJoint is connocted to a ho,:,.c.1.8r/rinr: me.in which in turn is connectoci. to pm.1l")inc=; unit normally die sol driven.
The eff'octive depth of this systorr. is limited to 2.bont 22 ft. but it is more th::m nQeqllate to doul "i7i th the usugl C, epth of excavation for this t;:r>e of un:larrround. storl:CG tan]c installation. Th:') .:;round is Inl;"ICr8c1. by inc:'ucinr a now Im':or y;ater level; :my flows away f'ro1:1 the excav!:'ction.
Assume now that the exc,'l.vation h,,,s been t8kon out; the sic1.es and bottom trimmGd.. ThG next opcretion is to provic_G a 9 in. thick reinforce'} com rete base. This shoulct inC01"l'Orate anchoring facilities to secure thl> tank in position whil," the raass concrete is beine plc..cecl. The accepterl rJethod to accoLlplish this is to provide 4 x 1 in. die. U bolts embedQed in the concrete bEcse to which are fastened the stro.inins wires. The b8.se is thGn lJut down. At this stage it is usual for the br!.se to bo inspectod- by the PETROL"ElJM OFFICER [md nssuminr: this is satisf':tctory the tank is tl1cn into position securer!' to the U bolts by the straininr; wires. The tank fittinf's o.re then ['.ssomblo(1; these include:-
(a) Fill/dip pipe (b) Suction pipe (c) Desluclcinr: lino if DE:::'V to be s-(;ore(",-.
The tank is then sealeu uj,) Inf'..de roc.c1y for prossure test by the PETROLEUE OFI:'ICER. After a s:"ttisfactory test the concrete c[,sinc Cf'.n be pl::!.ce(l. This S:1oulc1. be, as dofinoa in the Mo(1el Code, a f'ino concrete consistinL- of:4 p!'.rts a,;pro r:o. t 03 ) Sulph".te 2 parts sa.nd Resisting ) Concrete 1 part Fortlrmrl Cemont )
DuriL[:' placinc i"'.U".. if I"urit,-,te 1 by hn.m'_ tho i:ei;.ht of the concrete is sufficient to i'et rill of all C'.ir :;Jockets which mii;ht Mechr-micc..l vibrntion has to be cr.rrio(l out c.'lrofully to [woirl. over vibrr,tion vvhich tonrls to C{l,.use the 8.[["ro: .clte to fr.Lll to the bottom with tlv] s:nrl rtnr' ce;"ent cOl'lbinin[ to 1'.' mix of little stroncth,:,.t the tOll. The concrete j(:cket/cnsin: is finished. 9 in .'lbove the of the t.'"'.n1c/s.
4. i<?Jl':'pc1·
f,t this st,'C.,e the:' trmk/s is/nre inste.llc;(1 in j,losition with the concrete j[',ciCGts/c{' sine 111 -:-.ce ,1. 'l'h" n8xt operrttion is to position an,l l:,y the; s1.l.ction G nel. v,mt i"lip,)s in th0ir I'OSl'8ctivo positions.
I, I I I I I
The pipes cne1 fittings shoulct bo to BSS .1387: 1955. Pipes for spirit service being galvanised :::_no_ those :::-'or DERV ble_ck. Internal dip/fill lines are made of aluminium E:nd are extended to cvithin 2 in. of the bottom of the tanJ.{:. 'fhis is to provide the required liquid seal to an unvented opening.
Vent lines usually run, in 1tn din. I'JB pi:I.)G o.nd are fitted with a ccp provided v.'ith 2.n 2.nti-:flash gcuze of 28 mesh.
Vents should be taken to hei; :ht of 12ft. to permit free dispersal of ve_pours. They should be sited in the open. j,ll pipelines c:.nd joints, "frith thG ezception of the first joint, on the tcmk manlid ancl the last joint on the PUILP, ETe scro';,! jointed usinG BSPr and sealed 'with 2. suitable petrol resistinc CO:llpoune1.. Glycerine 2.nd litharge are not recommended. ivlodern pGtrol reSisting com:;ounc1s still retnin rt decree of flexibility even ' ..,hen set, with cbvious advantages.
Offset fill lines are not used as often £l.S thGy micht be. Their provision has distinct advantaGGs from the safety standpoint. The tanker makint: bulk deliveries is sited awo..y from the forecourt area and is able to disch8.rce YJithout impediu[ customer traffic. The unloading operation is confined to one manhole which is o.lways a shallnw one and physic£l.l clif'f'iculties in ITn.king connections are minimised. Only one hose is needed to connect the vehicle to the fill position o.nd this reduces the element of risk in mb-king the wrong connection. The caps on the fill pipes are locked when not in use in the S£l.me manner as those on the tanks. Greater supervision can be achieved if the attention of the operator is concentrate(l in one ,wrk area.
Suction Lines whGn loss than 80 f't. in run arc') usually of 1tn NB: if over 80 ft. in run then a 2 n I'TB pipe is rec ommonded. Pump manufacturers have definite views on suction line lenGths and pipe di[',meters and consider tl'1",t where suction lines are over 150 ft. in length the install:<..cion sho,,1(1 be treated g speciel This is true to 0_ certain extent "'.1 there are C£l.ses where from a rulativoly shalloi7 tank, suction 1:Ln8s hC:cve been run over 200 ft. anu.. h2.ve operated quite satiSi'actorily.
Each SUlti",n line is provi(lod with a non-return valve, usually referred to r.tS o..n lIangl e check valve" ancl is fittect to the flnnS'e on the tank manlids. It is a very simple cravity actuated poppet valve with EL flat seat r'-lided top ;-nd bottom, which retains the column of llqUJ d f'rom the tank to the tbus obvio.tinc th8 need f'or continual priming. .L._
The suction lines for the first few re3t of thoir run, starting from the tank ?,re enc:: sed in the concrete surround to the tank. In a great r,1c"ny instullc"tions today th8 t£l.n}cs/pipe are laid out to provide for progressive expan::d.on itS sr.:.les lncrease. Suction lines :for future use are carried beyond the concrete surround to the tal1k C.-nd blanked off.
Suction, vent nnd offset fill lines are to brJ supported throu,:::hout their underc;round run. It is usual to provide a trench in which the pipGS run o..nr-;_ i'or the -;Jipos to be supported temporfl_rily until thoy have been complotely installed [:-nd tested after 'NL.tich they Ilre surrounded by fine concrete 0 Usual prrrctice to provide minimu.m surround_ of 4" thick. This Specification is ideal f',...r linu\ on the rorecourt, but ',{hdre lines run in soft [Tound a trenched run rmc1 sv.reet or' chalk filling is sufficient. Clay r_nil ash fillinr: [:l.re to be avoided.
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5.Pump Island
The normal pattern of island is built up above the forecourt level by a substantial concrete plinth. The cavity this produced extends below forecourt level to all')w the suction lines :md electricQI connections to be made to thE; pumps. It has been 3uBgested oft2n thnt the cavity under each pump should bo filled in some VlL:.y or other to guard agilinst possible lo<::.h'ge. There are arguments for and ags.inst, but in . the ffi.?.jority of c<::.ses the cavities are not fillod.
Manhol8s should be constructed on 9 11 brickm8.rk using CI:'.ss B engineering bricks bounded with Vl aterproof mortar. This is to pr8vent seepage of water from o.bove the tank insto.llation proper. The manhole covers should be sot c:.pproxirrntely above the surrounding ground level. The double s8o.1 technique with drain connection is to be recommended.
It is good practice to provide a concrete aroa over part of the tank2fe at the offset fill point to ollow thE) tank filling operation to be tidy. If the driver has n clean surface fr8e of watc.,r from which to opernte his job is so much easier.
Vrhen installation is complete each tank is fitted with its dip stick and the fill cap locked/socured in position usually to the lug on the fill pipe. Each tank should be labelled/marked with a grade pl:tte c,nd identified vvith the pump it servcs to complet8 the installation.
S IDv1MAT IQ N
1 • Layout o.nd general design of a marketing installation should be based primarily on three factors, viz: SAFETY, EFFICIENCY and ECONOMY in that ord8r.
2. The site for or multiple tank instlllldions should be caref'ully selectod to ensure s[d'e reoeipt storage .::.nd hcmdling of A Petroleum storar.:;o.
3. Underground storace tanks should be located in the open e.ncl ',vhere possible with unrestricted entrios and exits.
J+. The installation/setting of tanks in concrete is preferable for these reasons:-
Ca) It pr(1Vides against possible leaka{'e from the tank,
Cb) It is simple, effccti VG and permits flexibility in construction,
(c) It is economicruly attractive.
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Liverpool Corporation DevelopDent 2.r,r]. Planninr Cor'lr.i ttee have established re charter setting out the principles which will govern planni"rlg applications for petrol stl:tions in the city in futv.re. The main points are:-
1
• That the clevelop;:Kmt sho.ll neither inpair roacl safety nor acl.versely af:fect traffic £'lo';'v";
2. That such developr.!ent shc.ll not prejudice th3 use of land suitable for socially Dare urgent purposes;
3. That local e.r::enity shall be preserved, ;;"n('1., if' possible, improved;
4. That there shoulo. be a reasonable an/'. ndequate distribution of petrol stations throughout the city.
Mr. WaIter G. Bar, the city planning officer, consulted the city engineGr and chief constable on thG principles to be f'ollO\'!ed. In a report he suggests that where planning pernissions are granted appropriately ViorJ.e·l conditions should be a ttachccl in order to ensure that the petrol stations conf'orn with the principles laid down.
The report states that no precise forsula can be expressed for the proper siting and distribution of' petrol filling stat L·ns, but it was rather a matter of assGssine; whether each possible site conformed to a series ef ninir:mm mquirOJ:.l.ents.
When consiclering the issue of need, Mr. Eor statu,i. it was not enough just to SE'vY there was no need for a station at [" particular site. The objection had to be Q.ore positive th1ln that o.ncl would have to De bc,sed on sometrJing like a traf'fic h1lzard or injury to amenity to justify its rejection. In this COh.'"1ection or course, thG number of stations in the c:ity would. be a factor consifterat:ion.
If would be of ad.vantar e , he continued, if' sites for petrol fillinf; stations could be reservE'Jd an proposed or inproved roads before their constructi'.Jn.
From 'GliRAGE fJID MOTOR AGEI\1T!
CURRENr FASHIONS -
If evor you have to make a trip to the Arctic, think carefully about the clothes you take ",vi th you and not .iust because of' the cold. Otherwise, you LlEl.y finel that f'avourite piece of' natty suiting is too hot.
For scientists are now investigating a new dancer in lif'e in a cold climate. Wear the wronr:; ma. terials and clothes can explode.
Because there is so littla moisture in the Arctic air, static electricity builds up in sow:: L'.aterials.
Research workEJrs measured the electricity in their OVin clothes they found 8,000 volt s •
They thought t{,at was shock enough but they SW"lD learnec1 how daneerous the problem r81J.11y is.
In Alaska, an American airman ,vei.lrine; cl·:>th8s of IT'tan-fJ.ado ma terials brushed aF[,inst a Ciln of' petrol. The re suI t; an explosion as static electricity the i\w18s 0 r":IEEKEND r
LIVERPOOL PLANNING 'CliiffiTER '
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LIQUEFIED PETROLElDvr GASES
Contributed by T.D. Dutton, B.E.M., A.M.I.Fire.E. Deputy Chief Officer, Dudley :Fire & Ambulance Service.
This is Gssentio.lly a paper for the student end. not for the masJver, being prir.!c.rily a study of the eleE1Emt.ary physics of liquefied gasos in containers. The; lovel of instruction is that ..:hich is given as a routine to junior fir:e officers who, once thoy knoVl the principles of '.? risk, can bo relied. upon to supply thG ansv[crs fro::1 their oper2.tional exp8rience. The potroleuD industry, Vii th it s Gxceptiom11 care for sQfety, is invariably helpful, doaling in o.n understo.nding ciannor with requests frorJ cor.tparative laynen for I aB personally indebted to the Calor Gas Distributing for nuch of my natorial but thoy should not n(:;cessarily be held re.eponsiblo for my interpret.::;.tion of their (lata.
In giving Fire Brigade instruction, many of the facts and figures which here [Just apPGar sOJiJowhat dry, ere le-avened by fire demonstrations 'which, dUG to the soraetines preverse behaviour of liquefied petroleun gases, occasionally give rise to situations which for sheer conedy would not disgrace the professional stare. Where fic;ures are quoted. it is for the sake of illustrating a point and they have been rounded off as f'ar 'as possible.
PRODUCTION OF LIWWIED PETROLEUM GASES
The liquafied petroleun group consists of C3 hydrocarbons, propane and propene ane.. C4, butc..ne and but ones • They are produced in the norr.l'11 course of pGtrol,mn and cone off 0.3 light fractions 2..t the top of thG By a conbination of cOQlini:: and pr ;ssure they c.re then s tared in the liquid sto.to. It is bocause these gases can be liqu!»fied and trans1)ortod. in containers [.t rGas'·.ll1able pressures that they are so valuable and versatile c.s fuels. They COon be blonded 1lt will to provide [l. wide range of vapour pressures to suit ps.rticular applications. The gases aro fl arJr..ab 1 °, colourless and have sliGht anaesthetic propertii.:s. Since they are o.lso odourless d8tection is simplifieCl. by the addition of a stench aF;ent a built-in SI::l011 as it wore. Propane 2.nd butane [1.ro the gases which are of prir,:ary concern to us here.
Refinery of propane is usuDlly in large spherbS [1.nd that of' butCt.nG in horizontal tc.nks, sot:1Gtimes called "bullets". Propane is usually distributed as propane but butane is nornally mixed 'Ni th about 1 C/fo propane and sold under the appropriate trade name Calor Gas Bottogg S , Gaz, etc. Portable cylinders are of about 10, 32 and.' 85 Ibs liquicl capacity a propane sphere of about 5 f't. dianeter would contain h8.1f ton :Jf liquirl.
The essential difference between propano ano. butane is that of' boiling point and, therefore, the pressure which will be available the container. For general use, in th(3 hOIJe or caravan for instance, butane: is the hl1ppier choice bocCl.use of' its lower vapour pressure, but for a larger yield of this gas a vapouriser (heat woulu. be needed. Propane will generc.lly 11::1. ve sufficient p1'8SSUre wh8n used direct frof!l the storage unless the (1.0',:,'1n(1 is so large thc:.t th(: cooling effect
of vaporisation rouuces the tank pressuro below th,-t required. Some of the uses of propane include:-
Large scale domestic USG, canteens. Oxy-propane cutting, blow torches. Space heating and clryj.ng. FU81 for industrial trllcks, fork lift trucks.
(Note much less carbon monoxide procluced than by petrol)
FORHUL_!.\E AND WEIGhT
(Carbon = 12 = 1 Oxygon = 16 Nitrogen = 14)
PROPANE C3llS
(3 x 12 + (8 x 1) M.W.=44
P.IR Mixture
(4 X 28)+ (1 x 32) 5 M.W. = 28.8
BUTAl\JE C4H 10 (4 x + (10 x 1) M.n. = 58
From the above it nill be seen that, volume for volune, Propane is one a half times as heavy as air an(t Butane twice as heavy. From the point of view of risk it is this f'actor of' weight thntis the chief culprit.
In the absence of wind or really strong draughts escaping vapour will run down stops or flow over the (;round in eX.:Lctly the same way as a spilled tank of water. As a contra s t, if a coal. gas tap at home is accidentally turned on or the light extinguished, one is aware of tho f'act within secon(ls. This is b.3cause (a) a s tench agent is also a.J.cled to coal gas anu. (b) the gas is lighter than air anrl therefore rises te; thE) nostrils. In the case of liquaf'ied petr0leuf:1 gases the second ·point Cb) does not apply and in an enclosed space gas will bUila- up at f'loor level, layer by layer, to a height of I:lany inches bef'cre any of' the diffused gas reaches the senses. These circ·.lfJ.stances have been responsible for many of the fatalities in isolated bungalows and. caravans usually where tho ha,s been :r;laced indoors. This is of'ten the caEG in winter whon extreme cold reduces the vapour pressure of butane.
BOILING POINT
Propane Butane
= = 40 0F 32 0 F
Actual figures vary very slightly from the above but the f'igures quoted are so very easy to remember. By def'ini tion the saturation vapour pressure of' a liqui.:l at its bOilinc :;:-Jcint is that of the surrounding atmosphere, i.e. the gaur;e pressure is zero. In a closed container, as the temperature rises, progressively more liquicl will tend to vnporise and, since the vapour cannot escape to .'1tGlosphere, thG pressure 'f"ill rise. This rapid rise in pressure can be accounted for by using water as our analogy. you\',ill know th£'.t f' piven volume of' \"[,,,ter multiplies itself by SOW;) 1700 times when it chan;.;es to vapour. All liquids act in the same way al thouESh the oXI.)ansion factor for liquafif,0. petroleum gases is only nbr:.ut 250 this is quite high when acting within a closed contr.iner.
Assuming to he plncerl in n cylin(ler 0,t n. just bolow its b')ilinr; point then .:)y thA time its has risen to oCe it will mlV(: ::.cquirod [l c rressure. (Figures from diff'.,rent SCJllrC0S vrJ.ry c'n tLis but a rOI.isorJf1.ble
-25-
assumption would bo about 150 Ibs/sq.in). At this temperature butane has just reached its boiling point and therefore itsgaugo pressure is zero. Thus at any the pressure of a prop2.ne cylinder will always be cor.sic1erably higher than th[1t of a butane cylinder.
o 150 170 250
Tenrper -40oF 32 0 F 500 F 113°F
Butane. Ibs/S9.in o o 25 85
It will be noted that press 1.1ro rises w'ith te!!1jErature. If a cylinder containing a non-liquefied gas, such as air or is fitted with r:. pressure g3.uge it is possible to calculn.te froL1 the gl1u[e reacling the quantity of gas in the cylim",or, alw::ws assurrd.nG that the voluI:1G of the cylinder is knovrn. This is not the case liquefied gases, only is the docidi7ig factor.
Tl1king the above figures ,3.S being accurate a liropane cylinder c"t 50 0 F will be under a val)oUr pressure of 170 Ibs/sq.in. whether it is full of liquid, hn.lffull or nel1rly OT:!pty. Similarly a butanE) cylinder would hn.ve a pressure of 25 Ibs/sq.in. Pressure is no suide to the state of the cylinder this can only bo found out by 'weight, or, in the case of storn.ge installations, by liquid level devices.
Conclitions at 113°F are quotect because this is the accepted maximum sun tempGrature and therefore, in the absence of another source (,f heat, tho maximum teopcrature to v;hich Cl. cylinder might normally be subjected.
CRITICAL POINTS
PROPiLTIJE
206°E 600 Ibs/sq.in. 450 Ibs/sq.in.
Critical Temperature Critical Pressure Cylinder Test Pressure
BUT,i\NE 306°F 550 Ibs/sq.in. 450 Ibs/sq.in.
The condition within a cylinder then is that of 11 liquid which is constantly varJorising cmc1 of a abovo it which is ccmstantly condensing, both movements t r:.king place at the s'J.f.1e rate so that there is npparontly no movement at all n,11'1 an equilibriwn is struck. At c,ny temperature the liqcdd, since it is in a closol1 contc:.iner, is creating the vapour pressure appropriate to th:ct temperc.ture. From tbis it 1'0110','.'s that if, at the saso teEiFUrature, [t voluEl8 of gas was subjected to the appropriate pressure then it woulc1. liquify. This leads us to the question of Critical TCI:1]Juro.ture, which has some ir;''l,ortance should the cylinders bo involved in fire.
CRITICAL
Critical Temperature is that temperature :'.l>ove which, .!lQ. how Ei!'oat the a can no longer remain in liquid forB o The pressure WhlCh 1S thon on the gas at, or fraction'l.lly ,:"bove its critical tOil'-perature is c:llled the Critical Pressure o
If the relevant fie:uros nre Etunicd it will be noton that the cri tic::!.l pressure :t"Jr ench f;as is in advance of the cylinder test pressure and this conc1iti n is obtaining 2.t
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temperatures vilhich, so far as fire is concerned, are ver:y low.
TEST PHESSURES
Test Pressures are based on a :figure which is about t,vice the maximum workin g pressure and it may safely be assumed that the desit;n and material of the cylinders incorporate a high factor of safety. Des p ite this the :fact rel:iains that at comparatively low temperatures the cylinders would he at pressures beyond these at which- they have been p roved to be sa:fe. The gases are now in the same physical form as the "permanent" gases (oxygen, nitrogen etc.) which a:ce stored in much stronGer cylinders (T.P. 3000
In fire tenperat'ures at, or little above reel heat, the so cylinders inevitably weaken and s ::) lit, dischE;rgin g like miniature bombs, whereas oxygen cylinders have been subjected to reel heat without apparent ill effect.
IGNITION
Propane
SPONTllNEOUS IGNITION TEMPERATTJHE
Butane 900°F' (about) 2% - 9%
Within Fire Brigades t he re is often diverSity of' opinion as to the interpretations of the n a mes of the temperatures relating liquid fuels to fire risk. V.frs vvill assume that tr18 above headine=; means wh a t it s a ys, i.e. the te IClpe r a ture to which a gas must be heated before it will i g nite with out the ap-;Jlication of a f'lame. Something more tha n red h ea t is therefore n e cessary to iGnite the gas.
Fla sh p oints a re, of course, below te n pe ratures norLlally encountered in this c o untry and I ac:' g iv o n to underst a nd that it is th e d if f iculty of deterrr:ining f'lash points by stE'_nc1a rCl raethods tha t exc ludes these gas e s fr om existing le Gislati '=, n.
,EXPLOSIVE LIIH TS
This term is re a lly a misnomer and means "limits of' flammability" • The theoretic a lly perf'ect COElbin2.tion "with air wo uld be about 4% f'or propane sli Ghtly Over 3% :for butane. A s regards th e escape of vapour lnto confined spaces it ,-,[ould never be practical to a s sume s af'e ty on "the g rounds of' too rich a concentration. There h a s always g ot to be a frin o e w here the gas/ a ir mi x ture will be ri g ht f'or b urning G
Should a container be o n f'ir e a t a vent, or a cyJ_inder at its outl e t, the r e is some g r o und f o r d iscountin g the po t y o :f fire findin g it s wa y insi de h e Pore th e l a st drop 01' liquid has b ee n v a p o rise d The v a:J our pres s ur es are v e ry hi g h "nr1. 'N o u l d to ma int a in 10 0% o utward d ischar g e of' pure e:3.s In the c a. se of a l a r ge rupture of a t a nk the situa. ti o n c o uJ-<:1 alter , ,s ince the r es ultant r a p i d exp a nsi o n of §::El. S wo ul d enable the liouid t o revert t o its b o iling p o int, wh e r e va po ur pressure Vvoulcl b e and a ir c o u l d theref o re f' ind its wa y in.
TRAIVSPORT
i s of'
l-.. s mig ht be expe ct j8d f 'r om th e ind u-st ry , b ul k l i qui d tr a ns po rt by v ehic le s wh ich a r e c mpa r ab l e t o t h e hi {" h s o., f' e tv s t a n da rds normal p e tr o l t a nk e r s . Spe c i f' i c at i o ns t o a c ;mp reh e ns i v e
930 0 F 2.5% 9.5% Spontaneous Ignition Temperature Explosive limits
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Code of Practice which is named in the bibliography. The principles of design are as for petrol tankers but the tank has no internal subdivisions and the gauging of contents is by a totally enclosed system. In the ideal, local distribution of cylinders is by lorries v<ith specially designed racks but cylinders may be found amongst all types of Qixed load.
STOR.AGE
Bulk storage is also to the apl,ropriate Code of Practice (see bibliography). A point of interest in this Code is the prohibition of any form of bund wall around tanks and the strong emphaSis upon ventilation.
Local storabe of cylinders at dealers' premises varies from the excellent to the appalling. It is here that one could wish for the force of legislation although much is achieved by local Fire Prevention Officers on a goodwill basis. FroIJ the Fire Brigacle viev{ point some system 0 f local registration would seem to be desirable.
There is no standard system of colour coding of cylinders which are, hm18ver, readily identifiable by their characteristic shape. Propane butane cylinders can further be identified by thE:) position of the thread of the valve outlet. Propane valve fittings are bull-nosed and screw into the outlet wh8reas butane outlets have external threads. ASiS the rule for ini'lamInable gases all have left hand threads.
FIRE BEHAVIOUR
VAPOUR
The risk presented by unignited vapour is very considerable, particularly in a built-up area. The soell is by no means so pronounced as that of petrci1; this renders detection difficult and a flash back from 100 yards or more is quite fec.sible.
Fire fiGhting action is to disturb and diffuse the vapour with high pressure, medium angle water sprays until such time as the leak can be controlled. The vapours on release tend to revert to the boiling point temper.:-cture of the liquid and this can cause the formation of an exceptionally hard ice arouna leaking valves, rendering them sometimes impossible to manipulate.
If vapour is burnine at an outlet the flame normally will not be extinguished until thore is reasonable certainty that the lec.k can be immediatelY stopped. Hot surfaces will be cooled and it should gener3.l1y be possible to bend the flame away from any by menns of high pressure spray.
LIQUID
To enable a liquid to vaporise it must be supplied with its latent of evaporation. In the case of a major spillage of liquid this heat is pulled out of the surroumUng p_tnosphere and the ground. Consequent freezing of these elements tends to insulate the liquid from further su;)ply of heat and the initial vapour pressure drops. (Vc..pour pressure from a leak would rC)(1uce for the same reason, the liquid pulling it s latent heat from itself).
It will thus be seen that ::.pplication of water, which, even on a cold day, is at a higher temperature than the liquid, would intensify the burning by s uPi'lyine: heat. Is is rn.rely possible, anc1. seldom clesirablc, to completely E.!xtinguish a liquid fire.
I /'
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As good a course as any would be a massive application of' foam in such a way as to leave the fire burning under control in a small area Vihere it might do the least harEl. In the n,bsence of' immediate exposure hazards burning liquid is safer than a vapour-f'orLung liquid surface.
The forogoing are, of course, ans it is rarely poss.ible to hard rules t" any of' f'ire •.
CONCLUDL\1G SUWIARY
We havc discuss8cl the physics of' the subject; ref'erences 2.re given below which transport e.nd storage can bo studied in detail and we have indicated the broact line of' a ction alone; which a Fire Brigade would. Llove in dealing with a I'ire. Since tho interests of Petroleum Officers and Fire Brigades Dust be ynrallel it is hoped. that this ncte will have bGEm of s OElO value in assessing this particular risk.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 • Codes of Practice
(a) Installations of Liquei'ied Potrr)lemn Gas Storage at Consumers' Premises.
Cb) Safe Handling and Transport of' Liquofied Petroleum in Bulk by Road.
from Liqui)fiecl Petroleum Gas Industry Technical COJ"iUJi ttee . Secretary c/o Shell-Mex and B.F, Gases LinitGd, 76, The Strand., LONDon, 'it. C .2 •
2. "LiquJ)fied. Petroleum GC,SGS Characteristics :'.1nd lYire Control"
frOD C<-"lor GClS (Distributing) LiDi tec1, Research and Developnont Division, CoomblanGs, Addlestone, 1;,Toybridge, ---------------------------
MARK THESE DANGEROUS LOJ:J)..§.
Clearer narkings for dangerous carf;oes on transport vehicles were suggested by Chief Fire Of'ficer, K.L. Holland Chief of' Bristol Fire Brigade at the British Fire Services"Association conference held receLtly at Coventry.
He said that only petrol and two or three other substances were subject to any regulatirms.
"If a person knew nothing about carbon disulphido, would a label r.1arked 'Carbon disulphide highly infla]!,r:1nble' in:licate to him that the flash is so low thnt the vapours can be ignite,l by the heat frorl an electric light bulb?
"O r if we accept the fllct tInt the wor(:!.s 'highly inf'la;[J,able' have put ,him on his guard, would they also iW2rn hiEi that even short eXposure to the fumes can lead to serious illness such as nervous collapse and paralYSis?
"It raay be claimec'l tr4inod-personnel 1ii[ould. normally deal -,.rith incidents involving haze.rd,)us substn,nces un.d would. be aware
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of' the dD-ngers. In the case of' the better-known substances this may be true but what of' the ever-increasing production of new substances v,hich are transported under a trade name which could Dean nothing to a trained chesist, Duch less a f'ire of'f'icer, who be encountering the substances f'or the first tine?".
Mr. Holland suggested thnt the pov:ers of ·the Petroleun (Consolidation) Act, which could apply to any substances should be used. The powers vmre wide enough for the; needs.
He also suggested that the l"13.ture of the substances being conveyed should. be clearly on all vehiclos or containers, even if it was only a siL1ple colour codo v.'ith the one letter I f'or inf'lal!lr.1able, E f'or explosive, T for toxic, and C f'or corrosive.
Fror.! the "Birmingham Evening Hail"
LIST OF PETROLEUM J,CTS TOGErHER (ilJITH ORDERS jJ\)]) REGULATIONS IVIADE 'rHEEEUNDER
Compiled by H. Griff'iths Chief' Fire Of'f'icer, VfALSALL.
The PetroleUl!! (Comsolidation) Act, 1928.
The PetroleUl!! (Transf'er of' Licences) Lct, 1936.
The Petrole ul!l-Spiri t (Motor Vehicles, etc.) Regub,tions, 1929, No. 952.
The Petroleum (Carbide of Order, 1929, No. 992.
The Petroleum (Carbide of Calciul:l) Order, 1947, No. 1442.
The Petroleum (Mixtures) Order, 1929, No. 993.
The Petroleum (Compressod G:1ses) Order, .193 0 , No. 34.
The Gas Cylinr'ers (Conveyance) Regulations, 1931, No. 67.9.
The Gas Cylinders (Conveyance) Regulations 1947, No. 1594.
The Gas Cylinders (Conveyance) Rc{;ulations 1959, No. 1919.
The Petroleum (Inflmraablc Liquids and. other Dangerous Substunces) 1947, No. 1443.
The Petroleur:J.-Spirit (Conveyance by Rand)
ThG (Conveyance by Rand)
1957, No. 191. Regulations, 1958, No. 962.
The Petroleue (Liquid Meth<me) 1957, No. 859.
The Petrole run (Carbon Disulphide) Order, 1958, No. 257.
The Carbon Disulphide (Conveyance by Road) Regula. ti IllS, 1958, No. 313.
The Carbon Disulphide (Conveyance by Road) Regulati.)ns, 1962, No. 2527.
Public Health "tct, 1961, Sec 0 73.
Pipe Lines Let, 1962, Sec. 37.
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GROUP MEETING
The Annual General Meeting was held at Burton-upon-Trent, on Tuesday 21 st April, 1964. There were present 53 West Midland Local Authority Representatives, 23 East :iVIidland Local Authority Representatives, 5, Associate Members, 2, Honorary Members and 2 Visitors. 19 apologies were received.
The Chairw.an, Mr. H. Crif'f'iths introduced The i!orshipf'ul The Mayor o_f' Burton-upon-Trent, Councillor C.J. Badcock, J .P., and invited him to open the proceedings.
In extending a very sincer'e ,·:elcome to delegates, Councillor Badcock congratulated the Group on its achicveoents since 1958 when the Group was f'orP.lec.. He instanced the Rosidential Course f'or Petroleum Of'f'icers and the rcpid growth of' Me!r.bership, and expressed his pleasure at the possible linking up of' West and East Midland Authorities in the f'o:rrnation ol' an extended Group.
Other business awaiting, the Mayor took his loave.
.A warm welcome to new Menbers, new Associate Members, Honorary Members a.nd Visitors was given by the Chairmo.n.
T
The Honorary TreaBurer submitted his Report f'or the year ending 31 st December., 1963. Tr..is vms accepted with thanks to the Hoporary 'l'reasurer.
The lihairman then ref'erred to various items on the list of' Reports and asked f'or con£'irmati on that they Here correct records.
The Chairman then called on Mr. G.N. De1C.n to propose am'!. Mr. E. V. Beeby to second the f'ollm'iinE Motion:-
"That ,d.th the object of' widening the::: scope of' the Group t s activities, and the invitation to the East Mia.lands to amalgamate with the Midlands having been and agreed by more than 50 East Midland Counc1ls, the Title of' the Group be "Tho Midlands Petroleum Acts Adrr.inistration Group".
This having been accepted, the Meeting proceeded as The Petroleum £cts Administration Group.
Mr. R.E. Roden was then asked to propose and Mr. R.P. 'Holdaway to second the f'ollowing Motion;-
(i) in view of' the increasing number of applications f'or MeDbership of' the Group from Local Authorities f'ar removed f'rom the this Annual Meeting agrees that the Title be "The Association f'or PetrolE:um Acts Administration ll and L'lembership shall be extenrled to all authorised Petroleum Off'icers.
(ii) That eY.isting Of'f'icers and Members of' thb Executive Commi ttee remain in power f'or the purposo of' revising thu existing Constitutiono
(iii) Thnt a Special G.:;;neral Meoting be as soon as appropriate f'or the .J?l1!·pose or cons an n.mended Constitution ana to elect off'icials.
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Tho Motion boing in three parts it 17:1,S decided to discuss e[wh p, rt sG}JClratcly (i) Two schools of' thought emergoQ, namely (2.) th2.t the; f'orw.:'..tion of' cm /,-ssoci[';ti::m be def'errGd :for 12 months (b) th:,;t stops bo t.2.ken onco .to comply the Motion. Voting on this Vio.S 20 for dof'err.lent Qnd 17 2.g:dnst. The M08ting e,greed tk:.t r.lGnbel'ship should be extended to any Loco.l ),uthority, H:;.rbouriiuthority and to 2,ny duly authoris8d Petroleum nfficer.
(ii) This vIas agreed subjoct to thu words af'ter !power! in the second line being deleted.
(iii) Withdrawn.
!1. vote of thanks to the Officers ,-;as proposed by Mr. W.H. Matthews, sec onded by I,ir. F.T. H2.rrison.
The Business having concluded, lunch v,as enjoyed in the dining hall of' the Burton-upon-Trent Council.
In the afternoon the Ch"irr:J2.n introduced Mr. R.E.J. Roilon, A.R.S.H., Senior Fire Escape and Officer for the City of Birminghan, and invited him to present his po.per entitled:-
THE ADNINISJ'R"TION OF THE PETROLEUM i.CTS IN TIfE CITY 01? BIm.aNGH/J1
The Potroleum Acts are 2.doinistored in the City of Birmingham by officers of' the Fire Esco.pe D.nd Petroleum Section of the City Public Works Department.
Prior to 1954 this soction was known ns The Factory Office, the Vlork of its officers consisting l:Jninly Clf the insp'2ction of Factories f'or lD.O!'1ns of eSCCLpe in of fire:;. Vihen the Police relinquised the of the P e troleuE1 Act, these additional duties trc.nsf8rreQ to tho Public Works CO!11nittee.
In 1903 Licensed prer:lises 8[1.ch of which are inspectQd o.t lC2.st once :l yoar.
Office procedure is fairly s new Licenoes aro issuecl annually. Shortly before u:xpiration a p02tcard is sent to the Licensee 2.sking hiQ to rerJit his Licenco fee. These go direct to the Accountant's Section. No fees are collected by the Inspectors since it is considered thnt their role is thnt of AdLiinistro.tors of Regul2.tions tho.n throt of collectors of cash. Ec,ch Licensed preElisos has a record card CLnd a file. 'rhe card contains details to the meth'Jd of storage, 8.nd the qU2.ntity stored, Liconce nUDbers and their of issue, o.po.rt from norIilal inf'orno.tion such QS the situCLtion of promises ,':'.n(', no-me of occupier. Theso co.rds ,:'.-re filed in street order. The file c ontnins conies of all corresponr.ience, ::'. copy of th8 block plan dr,,,-wn to CL sc;'le of 1/500 (the linen Clriginal is required tG be att!lched to oCLoh SUCCOGi.UIJg Licence), dotnils of'. tank testing, survey report fOrI:Js and in the case of prenises'havlnG undorground petroleum tanks a copy c)f'Cn electrical certificate. ,Vhen Cl. licence is issued it may co by '" letter drC1.wing attentiun to ::my petrol tanks which are dUG to be tested during the coming year.
Survey Rep'Jrt Forms hrwe nOVl been compl;)hlc' for the Dw,jority of IJicensec1 proElises. These forDS o.re intended. t:) contC1.in more clet2.ile rl inf'e'l'l.l,-:tion ,if the petroleuu that cont['.inud on the carrl, togothor ',dth p.-:crticul::crs of tho construction of surroun(l.ing buildings.
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Routine inspection Forms int8ndaa as a check thQt Licensed conuitions c..re being observed.
Birmingham Conditions of' Licence cloSGly f'oll.:Yfl the IvIoctel Code issued to Local Luthori tics in 1957 -vrith one :U0S sible exemption. It is requirecl th.'1.t in the c['.se of' },"':Iotrol f'illing stations ane. oth0r premisGs storing potroleu..-n spirit in undertanks, the Licensee, sh['.ll, ut his own .3xpense n.t le[1.st once every three yea.rs C'::'USG to b"" testo.;!. by EL Cho.rtcred Electrical Zngineer; an 11.pprove,;_ Electricc.l C-::.nt:rc,ct:)r on the Roll of' the No.tiorw.l Inspection C·:;uncil f'or Eloctricl".l Contracting; a MeI:lber of the Contr£1ctors I or a Member of' the Engineers I Surveyors' J:"ssociati'.:·n employed by a recognised Insure-nee Company, 0.11 electrical circuits supplying each petrol sorvice pump other circuits cobc-ut th;·) preFlises as specif'ied by the Licensing Authority.
A certif'icate as to the condition of' the circuits, signed by the Engineer carryine out the test, arc required to be produced on the occasion of' each f'or renevml of' the Licence, or at any other time vlhon by the Liconsing Authority.
This Condition of LicGnce cm.-,Q into f'orce on the 1st Janua.ry, 1960, but it was some time before 0.11 premises were cortifi8l'l., (,_ue of course to the fact thet in some of them there vms a consiclerable amount of' work to be done. Eventually, hoviever, all the Certif'icates were roceivGd and this ;>rear t he Licensees have been notif'ied that they must senel in c. new certif'icato, on or bef'ore, their renewE'.l of' Licence. It will be rener;;ilere,:."_ thl,,-t this f' orm of' Certif'icate, Vias rGcomnonQecl to the West Group, but af'ter considerable discussion the Group deciaed on the use of a f'orn of' report is signed by an Electrical indicating the of' eloctrical and circuits.
There he'we been three L'la,jar ctevelopments OVE-Jr licGnsing conditi')ns, the noed for El.':3Ctrico.l Certificates; the submission of' block plans f'ollov!ing the aa.opti()l1 of' the MOcLel Codo in 1958; and the necessity f'or testing oxisting tanks.
In 195LI- there was a big back 10t-::: of t<1.nk testing and. it vms two or t.hree years of intensive testing before records were brought up-to-date. Liconce Conditions rolating to tcnk testing requires them to bo tested either by an air pressuro test of' not less thnn 5, nor Doro than 10 lbs. psi. or by a liquid test.
Air pressuro testing is f'orward in that ch:.'1.nges in atmospheric pressure or tomperature, are not taken into account, end the suction and vent pip8s not d.isconnected. Tanks are sealed for the twenty four hour test pe:cio'l by the use of lon.ther bags which are clravm tight ovor the gauge, by !neens of' wire nnd lend sealing b gs. If tlKre is any drop in pressure at the end of this period. the linos ."..ra c1isconnectocl f-!.m'- the test re-al)pliod :or E'.. further twcnJey four hour periocl. If' there is still a. drop J.n pressure the tank is thcm condennod..
For liquid test thu tank is first blc.nkod off from 0.11 pipo connections other tho.n the vent pipo, 8 nd is then with petroleum spirit tl) its nv'"ximum c::Lpacity e.nd ."..llowerl to stand overnight. Lt the commencemGnt of the test th.:; is dipped, then sealed anr" le:f't for twenty four hours bef'ore a seccnd. dip is taken.
Pipe lines are tester1_ separ::ttely by ."'.n e.ir presE'ure of' 10 lbs. psi. f'or two hours. During 1963 263 petr')l tanks '."foru of' these 18 fcdled tho test and W3re condoElllod.
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These condemned tanks .::.ncl. those taken out of uso for other reas'_ns are rendered frGe i'rOl;'} the danger of fire and eX.;,)losion by one aI"' two methods either by filling them solid. with a weak cenent slurry or by excavntion. If the latter method is adopted it is required tha.t the work bo carried out by competent persons having the experience equipnent to perform this service. During the (ligging opor2.tion the tank is filled with water and all apporturGs are Prior to liftinf, the Tmtor is puruped. out, the ap20rtures resealecl c ncl thE; tank is cartbd away to the yn.rd of one of two i'ir!!1s in the City who are qualified to steaD out the tank .:::.nrl issue the necessary tsas-f'reo Cartif'icate. A copy of this Certif'icate required. by the Departnont. A large number of' tanks have been exco.vo.ted in the Ccntr3.1 Areas a.ue to the City's Redevelopment proe;ram..r.18. In these cases, the City itself' pays f'or the cost of reooval. Tanks vihich are. taken out of' use for short pori0ds are requirea. to be:; el:Jptied of petroleum and filled with water.
There hnve been two or three large losses of' petroleum f'rom def'ective tanks. In one case, 1000 gallons were lost overnight f'rom a tank which was less than 10 years old. The procedure in these cases is to f'irst oheck drains and cellars in the vicinity with an explosimeter; notify the District Sewer Foreman; and then arranee with the Fire Service to f'lush the sewers. If these incidents are reported in the Press, calls are often received from people who can smell Petroleum in their cellars. These are generally inconclusive, since normally no readings can be obtained on the explosimeter although there may be a smell which could be coal or sewer gas, or just the musty smells associated with cellars.
In these cases underground tanks in the neighbourhood are checked or rather the Licensee is asked to do so by dipping a tank last thing at night and first thing in the morning and to keep a record of' their roadings for our inspection.
Each year there are a few cases where legal proceedings are taken for contravention of' Licensed Cbnditions or storage without a Licence. In the latter three one pint sc,mples are taken. These are labelled and signed in the presence of a mOl:lber of the firw who is asked to countersign. One of' these sanples is tested by the City's Industrial Research Laboratory, of' the remaining samples one is available for the Court, tho other can be tested by representatives of' the lief'ondants. The firm are notified of' the time and date of' the test in order that they can be represented.
The worst exaffiple of an unlicensed store occurred some years ago. Following Cl. roport from the Police an Inspector f'ound that a large number of' 5 gallon drums were stacked in an open yard at the rear of' the house. The drums were well rusteu and there was evidence that some of' them were leaking. The Police reported that the householder was in prison and his wif'e stated that he had bought the oixtures some time ago at an auction sale. This case of'f'ered two immediate problems to obtain a Court Order to confiscate, and once this was granted where was it to be kept. This f'irst was a simple procedure. After giving evid.ence under oath a Magistrate presonted the Inspector with an or:ler to confiscate and hold 600 gallons of' suspected petroleum penc.ing a Court Hearing.
The secon(l was a little more dif't'icult. It had not been thought that a petroleum store for such a large quantity would be required f'or this purpose, however, a surface A.ir raid. shelter at ono of' tho Corporation Depts. was convertea. into a. store as a temporary measure. Conveyance of' the drums by van, :.t distance of' 10 miles, carrying 40 gQllons at a time took all day.
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Samples were taken from the crUillS were tested at the Industrial Research Laboratory and were f'ound. to ve Q fl·3.sh point below 73 0 • In due course the case was to C'.)urt and the Defendant pleaded guilty, his Council hm:ever, pl::::acled that since he bRd been brought :frail an open prison to Birmin[ham's Winson Green Prison for the hearing and he Has to serve the rest of his t L-2e there, he was already beinc; punished for his offence. This plea of mi tif,ation was accepted by the Magistrates an(1 the order of confiscation was c oni'irmeG.. Wi th regard to the difficulty of disposal a large paint f'irr:1 o£'f'ered to put it through their wQste l)aint CLispasal plc.nt and so after a further day spent on transportation it was fin[Llly destroyed.
Another case '.'lhich be of interest occurred last yeG.r. It began one Saturday when the attendant at a fillinG' st-:.ticn rang his 8nployer to say that the level of' the petrol in one of the tanks was very lov;r. The m:nor, knoviinf'. "ch::. t :=.. 108.(1 of' petrol DBd been delivered the previous day instructed the attendant to take dips of all tanl<::s. It Soon beCcoL18 appe..rent thB,t 200 gallons of petroleum spirit had l'een 17rongly d.eli verea. into a tanl<:: containing paraf·fin. From a check made on sales it VIas found that three separate one Gallons of' this Llixture had been sold. The Police were inf'orP.led who in tUrn :-:,;ot in touch with an Inspector. Broaclc2.sts wore lClade on Radio, Telovision and the Public address equipment as a result of this pu1'licity one gallon of the r:1i_xture was returned. The r eD.ainc1.er was never recovered although they may have been untainted due to being dra7ITI from that already in tho suction line bGf'ore the introduction of spirit.
It Vias soon eviaent that thore harl been a contrf'_venti -'n of the Petroleum Spirit (Conveyance by Road) Retulations 1957, and from stateFlents obtained from the parties c cmcerned. the f'ollovring sequence of events emerged..
The t anl<:: wagon arrived at the prenises shortly before they were open for busines s. The .1ri ver, who not boen to this fillint: station for SGEle t ima s.u1. not knowine there had been 3.n alteration in the s torage dipper:', vrh::-:. t ho thou[:.;ht was the spirit tanl<::, ascertained. that it Could take his load and then coupled up. i:..t this point the foreCOurt attondant arrived but was diverted by the neQd to Unload. a doliverv van. He did, however, chock t he dips on the tank 'wagon but failed to see the actual delivery. Later the tank wa{:(on driver asked the attendant to sign the delivery note. By this tiDe a second attendant arrived v:ho filled in the Certificate [tne: handecl it to the driver. An investigation of the ffianhol es aftor t hose events revealed that tho tanks were narked, the nlwber plates were f olmcl. subsequently 1n a d1rty condition at thG bottom of th.:; manhole chambers.
Proceedings were comnencerl for breD-ches of' the Convey[,nce ReGulations against the CODpany running the fillin:< station f'or no:; having the petroleum taYLks clearly Enrkecl vii th-.I), n 1.lI:'.bor; a(;ftinst -bhe forecourt attendant for fco,ilinC to C oc:-,lGte ana sign a Certificate on the i'orm specified by the l:;ef'ore delivering of petroleum was comnenced; and aeainst thG tF-,-nk Wagon driver for beginninG the delivery buf;)ro the recoi,Jt of the Certificate frJE a Ioerson n.I'pearinp to 1::e in ch::.1':"o the t&.nks. '.
£10. tnnk
At the Crnll·t on each of' two ch£trges; wagon driver £3.
the VFl.S f'inecl the Vias finorl £5. and. the
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Since this case, when a Licensee changes the use of a tank from petroleum to paraffin he is persuaded to fit a reduced fitting on top of the fill pipe of the tank in question.
There have been several inctdents where children.have suffered injury through putting lighted matches in the petm I tanks of abandoned vehicles. The City has tackl€dthis problem with a high degree of success. Vfhen vehicles are reported to the Department as being abandoned, the tanks are filled with water and then by arrc.ngement with a local garage the vehicle is removeu to c. Breaker's Yard. The expense of this OIB ·ration is borne by this Corporation £11 though- the last known owner may be prosecuted by the City Police under the Litter Act.
All told, there are over 500 petrol filling stations within the City, although many of these are Modern Stations wi th adequate forecourts, we still have many ,,{here there pumps fitted with swing arms serving over the public footpath. Some of these will disappear with redevelopment and it is the Public Works COffiflittee's present policy to refuse the transfer of Licence of this type of premises or to the replacement of defective tanks.
All plans, for Byelaw or planning pernission pass through this Section, and in those cases whore Filling Stations are indicated, or the storage of Petroleum in any other manner, the Architect is asked to submit an application under the Petroleum Regulations, and at the same time his attention is drawn to any principles of construction which he is to observe. The application consists of an application form two copies of a block plan drawn to a scale of 1/500, one of which must be on linen, and a i" scale drawing of the installation, including any buildings within 50 ft. of the installation. The 3pplicatian is then reported to the Public Works Committee which noroally meets every fortnight. Where underground tanks are involved the letter of approval sent to the applicant vdll include notes on the procedure to be followed in their installation. These notes of proced.ure are similar to those recommended by the Group.
Underground tanks can be installed either in a minimum of 9" of concrete or in 9" brick cTh.1.mbers, surrounded by a minimum of 9/1 washed sand. The tanks and pumps must be positioned in the open air and be sited at least 20 ft. from the back of the footpath and a similar distance from any buildings. The department has, however, accepted a slightly reduced distance from buildings in certain cases, although in compensation it has been required that glazing within 20 ft. is of the wired cast variety in fix8ct lights, Qnn any doors are made fire resistant and self-closing. In addition, electrical apparatus an0 wiring within this section of the building may be required to be flameproof up to 4 ft. from the ground and of a totally enclosed type above that height.
lUthough the installation is required to 1e in the open air, due to the high cost of land in the City and other planning oonsiderations we do alloW buildings to be erected over the foreoourt providing that adequate ventilation is maintained.
There are two multi-storey car parks in the City which hewe been erected over filling stations and several which are in the planning stages o
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One of' the problems associated with this type of' development is the position of' the vent pipes. They must be taken up the f'u11 height of' the building but the Architects pref'er they be hidden f'rom view. In a normal f'i11ing station it is pref'erred that the vent pipes be grouped together, supported by a suitable post and be situated well away f'ron the boundaries and buildings.
The f'orecourt kiosk is disappearing f'rom modern Filling Stations. These are a source of' dRnger due to cigarettes the attendants leave there during f'i11ing operations, or the electric or oil heater which is introduced the winter months. If a kiosk is planned, hO'"!ever, it is required that it be constructed of' incombustibJe materials.
Of'f'-set f'i11 pipes are not f'avourab1e since despite prominent numbering they can lead to conf'usion in deliveries with a consequent overf'low. It is acknow1ede:ed, howevar, that they can be a great advantage to a Licensee in they can be sited in a position that will enable th(;) re-f'illing of underground tanks without interfering with trado. This tenporary advantage to the Licensee does not, however, outweigh saf'ety considerations.
So far as the of petroleum mixtures in factories and other premises is concerned the storage of' up to 50 gallons in a galvanised metal storage bin f'itted with a top lid having at least 2" lap all round. For If:>.rger quantities the s tore is to be constructed in 9" brickwork with a reinf'orced concrete roof having an explosion point equal co 1/10 of roof' area, the door and frame to be constructed in steel. These stores are to be sited in the open air.
There are exceptions to these principlos of' construction however. For example the petroleum for large Paint Manuf'acturers are big structures and the roofs of' these buildings are not required to be constructed in concrete. Isolation from other buildings is necessary.
On occasion, also, small quantities of' mixtures permitted to be kept within buildings in locked iron bins if' there is no suitable open space available:. This is particularly applicable to the storage of' s mall of' petrOleum based glues and similer products in large City Stores.
There are 11 prenises in respect of' which bulk storage licences are issued, these include 6 Distributing DepotS. The most recent of these and also the largest, is the Esso Bromf'ord Terminal which was in accordance with the Model Code relating to Distributing Depots issued by the Homo Of'f'ice in 1958. This is to be one of' the Depots served by the proposed United Kingdom Oil Pipeline.
The Austin Motor Co., is another larGe LicenseG. In their three works they store a t ot·3-1 in excess of 1 00 ga.llons in 42 separate installations. This is the one in recent years where 1';e accepted petrol pumps within These are situated in the Car Assembly Shops and are positioned apprOXimately half way down the track. As a result the vehicles are able to leave the trf::l.ck una.er t heir own power :mfL continue on to further operations such as brake testing. Appropriate precautions h,.'wo been taken with regarcl to s'mrces of' ignition and all smoking is bannecl th,] area of' the pumps 0 The underground tanks thot1selves t..ra situated outsi(le tho Assembly BUildings.
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Because all buildinF- plans pass through the Section it is possible to ensure that private earages attached to dwelliIl{! houses comply with the PetrolGuw. Spirit (Motor Vehicles) Regulations 1929 No. 952, in cny door leadinr. into the house is made fire-resisting anci. self-closinf" and any windows are fixed and. f:,l9..zed in ".;ire Blass. Similarly where cars are required to be parked within factory buildiIlf.s the parking area is enclosed with f'ire-resisting walls and any access door is required to h(:ve helf hour fire resistance and be nlf:'.de selfclosing.
Multi-storey CD.r pe.rks in the City are licensed providing that the total quantity of petrolouITl spirit in fuel tanks of motor vehicles exceeds that per;:litted by the Motor Vehicles Regulations. It is resumed thl1t th2.re will be an l1verage of three gallons per vehicle, thus such a car park for more than 20 cars will be License.:'!..
Providing that the cGor pl1rk is of open siG.ed. construction, which should Ci ve adequate ventilation, th El following principles of construction arc observed.. Jill electrical apparatus is required to bo site(:!. above four feet from the floor and be of the totally enclosed tJTe. The floors of the car park to be laid to fall, thE:: :lrainae8 passill{': thrOUGh a petrol interceptor, adequate fire protection to be provided in the form of portable fire extinguishers. The ?radient of the ramps not to exceecl 1 in 10 unless between split floor levels a gradient of 1 in 8 w..,y be
There are many multi.-storey car parks in course of' construction or in the planninr stare and sinc.e there is no National Standard on the pl!l.nninr of' these buildings El Code of'. Practice was c.1r8.wn up and recently approved by the Public Works Committee. A.."Ilongst its provisions e.re the f'oll)winc::-
1. The minimum (limonsion for Parking Bays should be 16 ft. x 8 f't.
2. The access lane should bo 20 f't. in width.
3. A minimu.m headroom of 7 ft. to be maintainor! below beams, c1uctinrs, or any other obstructi':m.
standards also are laid f'or levels of' artif'icial illumination, the loadinf' of' parapets br.lustr.<!odes, the imposed loe.dine: on floors, tho r2,r.... ius of' turning circles, ete.
The larp;8 complex combining many uses such ag a nulti-storey car park; f'illing station; Shops a.nd Of'fices in a sinr-le buildinc: are no longer c:Jni'inec. to larr,:e Cities and. nany relatively snaIl towns ha.ve this type of devGlopnent. Several buildin:'s of' this tY1Je in Birmineh;:-.m also h':lve under{"round car pnrks and 10'.1.Jinp: bays. Our Conditions of licence relatint: to such areas are sinilar to those clOVin in the Code. Care is to ensure that a stande.rd of fire ?rotection equi valent to t wo hours is r.:laint:'oined o8twoen the se e.reaS ana other parts of' the builclinc. .A simib.r stnndo.rd of fire resistance is maintained in any openin{"s by the use of fire shutters combinccl with fire rosisting smoke 000rs. Sl'rinklers are required and a two part ventilati0n system. Smoke extracts .<!ore an il'!l:portant fire i'i[l;hting facility .:lond those nornally consist of sta,eks in the ceilint: l(;adin::-. to extract oponine,s at l"rcmnct level. These s op.letimes in tho form of prwement liiThts or f'orm part of' the stallboar<1 of shops. 'rhese extract openines,
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if protected by a panol of pavement lic;hts are clec,rly warkod I Smoke Extract I Emcl in the event of f'ire the so are broken by the Fire Service in ord.er to help clear the undererounet car I)c'.:L'l\: of' smoke.
Ventil:;),tion ducting passlnc through the buil0.in§; sh::>llld be fittecl with:1-" steel pl;'te darc'l:oers helCt Opt:m on et :['usiblc links set to operate at 155 0F •
In conclusion let me this :;Joint; wheY!. ,'re :first started to administer th8 Petro181)I,1 Rec:;uJ.2.ti:ms the only guide 1'18 had was contained in the book written bj' Doctor Fatts "The Storo.ge of Petroleum Spirit". The Model Code in 1958 helped to set standard but not until this Group was fornGQ vms there an opportunity o:f meeting PGople outside my own ,'J,uthority with v1ho1:'. ono coulc. discuss mutual problems ::md ste,nctards. It has been, 8..neJ. I sure ','.rill continue to be, of the greatest assistance to me.
DISCUSSION.
NU'. Lewis (Walsall) If' a tank that has beon filled with V'lD..ter has been brought lJ.,:wk into use, what is the most effective way of of' this water?
"Endeavour to punp of'f surplus p8tr':Jl, thon pass through an int,:;rcGptor if 2;vai.lc,ble, finally flush through the so-;;'ror H •
Hornby (GriDsby) Do you consiuer that on,) inspection a yeo.r to all lic0nsoQ is sufficient?
"iTJe <lo averr.;.f:',e on"} Cl yo['cr nOVl,but ultilTIs,tt31y our n.im is Qt least tVlicG f'.l. year, wo rlo of' courCG visits as circUIT,stances roquire".
Mr. Cocko (CrErr;;e)
Vi"bat is the method of' stoal'J.ing c.erolict t.3.nks o.nd over period. ai' tl' ''l- hl·s t"ke<) ........ u ....; " ,It, lJ.l c..L
"In Bir;inght".TJ, ta.l"L1cs aro reI:lOved frOP.:l the brouTIct (md taken to a yr'rd 1''-,n'T "'re " 0:-"'; C... vl................ stonc18d, cooled down ancl checkod v-lith explo,simoter. 1'WO Spoci2.1ist firms in the city y!he,n s[ctisf'ied is SUe a <..iJ.s-frue certif'ica"b:::. This sbnulrl [;e made out prior to ."nv cuttint, t · n St '. U Op0r,'l lr) • earr!lnt; lnsitu is not a ,:':ood ...L.. " prccvlCO •
Mr. (Derl)y) hied thr(;.::; qur.::stions:-
(1) I W(",S int'.o:rc;stGd to Y8'lr vi.ews upon r8duc ing the fill-pire f'i ttin;,' in in.s tn.nces '.'rh.TO tI-hJ contents of' the t''..:-k·o h:.cV8 r,E:Jon chEtllr:.:cd froEi petrcll top <.:.rcofJ'in. Do :you insist on beinc nr-ti:fi'c,1 of' such ch'eDges?
"Yos ViG rO(luire 3ueh it is." c·:·nrl:i::- of Lici)nco:;.
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(2) You allow filling stations to be constructed on 'stilts' within the city contre. Vlhat h.::.ve you in mind regarding thl3 height of the 'stilts I pr>.rticuJl:1rly in respect of adequate vontilation?
"17-18 feet is considered the miniLmIa both as regards adequp.te ventilation and also the practical necessity of dip?ing tanker V1D.,f:: 0ns tl •
(3) You say you refuse the transfor of licence to prer.1isGs ';;here swing 3.rms .'1re used. He.ve you leGal authority to do this?
"In the 1936 Act, it stD.tes licences may be transferrod. We consider this gives us discretion.'1ry power".
1I1r. Hughes (Stafford) CC..l1 you tell me what precautions r.lUst be taken if a licensee 'ivishes to use the old petrol storage tank for holding ;'{aste oil or paraffin?
"The residue of petroleum is pumped out, and no other precautions are taken. Tanks however, which are to be used for paraffin or diesel oil are normally cleaned out by the Petrolewn Company prior to use".
Mr. Easton (Burton-upon-Trent)
What are your viGv:s on setting underground petrol storage tanks in solid concrete?
"We accept the installation oi' tanks both in concrote or in a brick chamber. Of the two I prefer tanks to be sot in concrete since from my experience with :faulty tanks, this is o:ften due to their installation in sand containing deleterious matorials".
Mr. Carruthers (Uelptl.l"R.D. C.)
V/here a building is on stilts, is this 17 foot necessary if the petrol tanker stands outside the area, also, do you allow concrote blocks to be used in the construction of tank chambers. What is the logal requirements regarding the licensing of car parks?
"In the example I quoted the whole of the forecourt area was covered, consequently the tanker stand position is under a building. 1'\[e have not permitted the substitution of concrete blocks in lieu of concro"i:;e brickwork for tank charr:bers. Regarcling the legality in licensing car po.rks. I would draw your to the Homo Office Model Code for basement car parks. Unless these are licensed on the basis of the petrol stored in the fuel tanks of ootor vehicles using the car park licence conditions cannot be enforced".
Mr. Bloor (Kidderninster)
'When you licence a multi-storey ca.r park who is liable in the event of any contr[t venti ·.m?
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Mr . Cooper ( Matlock U.D. C.)
"The licens ee vr hether it be:; th e city c o uncil or not".
In old installa tions do y ou insist on petrol interc ep tors?
" \'..tJ do not insist on inst [cl lin c int er c ep tors in o l d in s t B. ll;::.ti ' ns at present" •
Mr. Turl ey (B edfo rd)
'Yhen you refl e r t n 2. ir pressure testing on Gxistin g t a nks cl0 yeu Dean nitr oge n ga s?
"Yes in this context a ir pressure rJeans nitr og en gB.S ".
Mr. Crowe (Iv'l2.nsfield)
Do y o u c ons ider a ir pressure testinc on t anks t o a lw a ys be ef'fective a s I h a'.re experiencGQ n o l o ss o f pressure on a known defective tLlnk?
" Yes , I hav.e found that a pressure test i s mo re eff e ctive thLln an ull aFe test, a nd I elm d.isturbed t o h ea r o f your experience"
A vote o f th a YL1cs t o the speak e r w£>.. s pr o p o sed b y Mr. T.J. Metc a l fe (Sm et h vQck ).
Te a kind ly p r o vi ded by the Mayo r Counoill o r C.J. Badcock J.P., was then taken , Mr K ,C. Hughe s (St a f f ord) eX;Jressed the tha nks of a ll present to th e Mayor, Co rp o r a ti o n a n d J E £>..s t on f o r the h o spit a lity extended a nd the excellent ID[l c.te
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