hazardexonthenet.net
Risk assessment Risk management in explosive ordnance disposal Lighting Developing a hazardous area lighting strategy Pumps
Alarms
Maintenance
Pumping flammable vapours
The risks of delayed response
Suppressing interference with drives
September 2019
the journal for hazardous area environments
cortemgroup.com
contents september 2019 The call for papers is now open for the 2020 Hazardex Conference which is to be held on February 26 & 27 at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK. For nearly 20 years, Hazardex has been providing key industry information and topical discussion on process safety-related topics. The annual Conference and Exhibition brings together those with hazardous area and wider safety responsibilities to review best practice and the latest research in those areas key to managing process safety effectively.
14 20
Anyone with an original take on any aspect of hazardous area operations or process safety is encouraged to get in touch. Please submit abstracts (300 to 400 words) for consideration by September 30, 2019. Successful candidates will be notified by October 10 and full papers should be sent through by November 22.
Explosive ordnance disposal obliges experts to consider familiar risks from an unfamiliar standpoint
For more information, contact Russell Goater or Alan Franck via events@imlgroup.co.uk or phone +44 (0) 1732 359990
27
…Alistair Hookway, Associate Editor, Hazardex
in this issue 4 News Extra & Standards
When looking into an application involving dry pumps, it is important to consider a few points when specifying equipment
• Australian offshore regulator orders shutdown of Timor Sea FPSO vessel • HSE releases annual UK workplace fatality figures • UN experts say abandoned oil tanker off Yemen could pollute Red Sea • Gas utility settles Massachusetts gas explosion class action lawsuits • Two killed at Shell Auger platform in Gulf of Mexico • US Hanford nuclear plant is degrading, environment at risk • Explosion and fire at Exxon petrochemical plant in Texas injures 37 • Siberia hit by ammunition depot explosion, wildfires • Initial construction design contract awarded for new UK nuclear power station • TEPCO to decommission second Fukushima nuclear plant • Leaking oil well in Indonesia causes 84 km slick
31
19 Standards: Ageing assets – a pause for thought Safety, reliability and high maintenance costs of lighting systems have become critical issues globally
20 Risk management in explosive ordnance disposal 27 Pumping flammable vapours with dry vacuum pumps
35
31 Developing a lighting strategy for hazardous environments 35 What are the risks of not responding to a critical alarm in time? 36 Suppress interference and ensure drives work smoothly and safely 38 Event previews 39 Datafiles
30 36
the journal for hazardous area environments
hazardexonthenet.net
40 Risk assessment Risk management in explosive ordnance disposal Lighting Developing a hazardous area lighting strategy Pumps
Alarms
Maintenance
Pumping flammable vapours
The risks of delayed response
Suppressing interference with drives
September 2019
Critical alarms are a fundamental component to assure the safety of staff and continuity of operations
Hazardex is a controlled circulation journal published monthly. Completed print or online registration forms will be considered for free supply of printed issues, web site access and online services. Annual subscription for non-qualifying readers is: UK £147; EU £215.25; Airmail £315 and single copy price is £23.10 plus P&P.
Hazardex content is the property of the publishers or relevant content providers. The publishers and sponsors of this magazine are not responsible for the results of any actions or omissions taken on the basis of information in this publication. In particular, no liability can be accepted in respect of any claim based on or in relation to material provided for inclusion.
Editor Alan Franck alan.franck@imlgroup.co.uk
Group Publisher Russell Goater russell.goater@imlgroup.co.uk
Associate Editor Alistair Hookway alistair.hookway@imlgroup.co.uk
Circulation subscriptions@imlgroup.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1732 359990
IML Group Blair House, High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BQ, UK Tel: +44 1732 359990 Email: events@imlgroup.co.uk ISSN 1476-7376
Sales Executive Kathryn Startin kathryn.startin@imlgroup.co.uk
Design Graham Rich Design www.grahamrichdesign.co.uk
Production and Events Holly Reed holly.reed@imlgroup.co.uk
Register for weekly email newsletter & up-to-the-minute news at www.hazardexonthenet.net
4
News Extra
Representative image - Shutterstock
Australian offshore regulator orders shutdown of Timor Sea FPSO vessel O
in 400 metres of water between the Laminaria and Corallina oil fields in the western Timor
“As Low As Reasonably Practicable” (ALARP).
a prohibition notice to Upstream Production Solutions (UPS) as service provider and Northern Oil & Gas
Sea about 550 km northwest of Darwin. The vessel is of double hull design and was originally installed by a Woodside Petroleum-
Secondly, until the fixed fire suppression system was fit for use and would meet original design standards in the event of an emergency
Australia (NOGA) as operator of the Northern Endeavour floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel in
operated group following discovery of the fields in the mid-1990s. Oil production began in 1999.
through the permanent repair of the aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) system.
n July 11, Australian offshore safety regulator NOPSEMA issued
the Timor Sea to halt all production and cease all operations immediately.
The FPSO has the capacity to hold 1.4 million barrels of oil and at peak production
Thirdly, until structural corrosion of the central walkway, cargo piping and main pipe rack at the facility had been repaired to the standards
NOPSEMA (the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority) said the notice was issued due to
it processed 170,000 b/d.
described in the facility safety case.
Current operator NOGA, a subsidiary of Perth-
This is not the first NOPSEMA notice to be
what it called an “immediate threat to health and safety” as a result of structural corrosion at the facility.
based Timor Sea Oil & Gas Australia, bought 100% of the licenses and the FPSO from Woodside in April 2016. Recent production rate has been less than 5,000 b/d.
issued to NOGA over safety and environmental concerns at its production vessel.
A regulatory inspection found that the FPSO was in a degraded state and there were major concerns over the technical integrity of critical structures and equipment on the vessel. NOPSEMA said it had been notified on July 1 of a dangerous occurrence that described a dropped object of sufficient height and weight to cause a fatality. Upon inspection NOPSEMA identified structural defects due to corrosion at the facility that could lead to a structural failure under design load conditions. Such failure had the potential to cause an oil spill or gas leak with subsequent ignition leading to a major injury or multiple fatalities. Northern Endeavour is permanently moored
www.hazardexonthenet.net
NOGA and UPS were given 48 hours to shut down the facility. The companies said they would work with NOPSEMA to understand the regulator’s concerns and take appropriate action to resolve those issues. On July 18 NOGA was directed by NOPSEMA not to restart production before a number of measures had been implemented.
Three months ago the authority issued an improvement notice to the company for failure to meet its environmental plan obligations. Last April the NOPSEMA inspectors said they had “reasonable grounds” to believe there was a “significant threat to the environment” because NOGA had allowed emergency spill contracts to expire and did not have the capacity to coordinate and manage an oil spill in its initial stages or combat and monitor a spill as described in its environmental plan.
Firstly, until the backlog of technical integrity work orders in the computerised maintenance management system for the facility had been worked through or that risk assessment and associated mitigating actions could demonstrate risk reduction to a level that was
Earlier in mid-2016, shortly after NOGA acquired the Laminaria and Corallina oil fields, the company was issued with a notice for having an inadequate capability and capacity to respond to an oil spill.
News Extra
Image: Shutterstock
5
HSE releases annual UK workplace fatality figures O
n July 3, the UK Health
The last category includes Exposed
and Safety Executive (HSE) released its provisional annual figures for work-related fatal
to explosion 5 (3) and Contact with electricity 4 (3).
injuries for 2018/19. These revealed that 147 workers were fatally injured between April 2018 and March 2019 (a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 workers).
In addition, there were also 92 members of the public fatally injured in incidents connected to work in 2018/2019, approximately a third of which took place on railways.
UK rate of fatal workplace injuries 1980/1981 - 2018/2019 - Graphic: HSE
There has been a long-term reduction in the number of fatalities since 1981. Although 2018/19 saw an increase of 6 workplace
forestry and fishing and Waste and recycling are the worst affected sectors, with a rate of fatal injury some 18 times and 17 times
The UK consistently has one of the lowest rates of fatal injury across the EU.
fatalities on 2017/18, the number has remained broadly level in recent years.
as high as the average across all industries respectively (annual average rates for 2014/15-2018/19).
In 2016, the last year Eurostat figures are available, the standardised rate, at 0.53 per 100,000 employees, was one of the lowest of all European countries and compares favourably with other
The new figures show how fatal injuries are spread across the different industrial sectors: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, and Construction continue to account for the largest share of fatal injuries to workers (32 and 30 deaths respectively in 2018/19). The figures also indicate those sectors where the risk of fatal injury is greatest: Agriculture,
2018/19 causes of death (& annual average 2014/15-2018/19): * Falls from height: 40 (36) * Struck by moving vehicle: 30 (27) * Struck by moving object: 16 (18) * Contact with moving machinery: 14 (11) * Trapped by: 11 (14) * Other: 36 (36)
large economies such as France (3.32), Germany (0.63), Italy (0.91), Spain (1.53) and Poland (0.9). For further information on work-related fatal injuries go to: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm
www.hazardexonthenet.net
NEW!
Introducing the new
UNIVERSAL WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY ENCLOSURE RANGE
ENABLE YOUR
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION iWAPXN3 Hazardex Ad.indd 1
Hazardous Area Certified
Any Wireless Technology
• ATEX and IECEx Zone 2 and 22 • cMETus Class I, II Division 2 and Zone 2
• IoT gateways, Wi-Fi APs, RFID readers, LTE routers, and more
www.extronics.com | info@extronics.com +44 (0) 845 277 5000
14/08/2019 17:03
News Extra
Black circle indicates position of FSO – Map: Shutterstock
7
the voids above the oil in their storage tanks. This is to reduce the risk of explosion from the volatile gases released from the oil they carry. Without replacement, it was thought likely that the tanks would have a significant volume of potentially explosive gases inside. The note also drew attention to the general lack of maintenance, and with it a deterioration in the vessel, its machinery and in its floating oil export hose. Mark Lowcock, the UN humanitarian coordinator, told the UN security council in
UN experts say abandoned oil tanker off Yemen could pollute whole of Red Sea
June that an inspection team had again been refused permissions by Houthis to visit the vessel. Lowcock said: “If the tanker ruptures or explodes, we could see the coastline polluted all along the Red Sea. Depending on the time of year and water currents, the spill
n oil storage vessel moored off the coast of Yemen caught between
then the FSO, with a cargo of over 1 million barrels of oil, has not been maintained or
could reach from Bab-el-Mandeb to the Suez Canal, and potentially as far as the strait of Hormuz.”
both factions in the country’s civil war is corroding rapidly and without urgent maintenance could explode and create an environmental disaster in the
inspected. The main fear is that gases that have built up in the vessel’s storage tanks could explode, releasing huge quantities of crude into the Red Sea.
With restricted water circulation and delicate marine ecosystems, the Red Sea, home of corals and 600 species of fish
A
Red Sea, according to United Nations experts.
The Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS), which has been monitoring the
and invertebrates, is seen as particularly vulnerable to oil pollution.
The ‘SAFER’ floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel, a converted 400,000 tonne displacement supertanker used as the marine
unfolding story, said that in August 2018, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) posted a tender for a project
The two sides in the conflict blame each other for failing to reach a solution about what to do about the ship and its valuable cargo.
terminal for a pipeline from Yemen’s Marib onshore oilfield since 1988, is moored seven kilometres outside the Red Sea port of Ras
to assess the safety of the vessel. The background documentation for the tender provided worrying insights into its condition,
The Houthis want guarantees that they will be able to control the revenues from the oil
Isa, north of Hodeidah.
CEOBS said.
In 2015 the area was captured from the UN
As the FSO’s diesel fuel had run out, its
on the ship valued at $80m, which the UNrecognised Yemen government has vetoed. The latter have suggested towing the vessel
and Saudi-backed Yemen government by Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, and since
boilers had stopped producing inert gas. FSOs and tankers produce inert gas to fill
to Bahrain for repairs, which the Houthis will not allow.
We are your trusted source for ATEX, IECEx and North American certification csagroup.org
8
News Extra
Image: Shutterstock
residents and businesses affected by the September 2018 disaster, which
The company said the class action settlements require court approval and are part of the $1
killed one person, injured at least 21 others and destroyed many buildings in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover.
billion NiSource has dedicated to addressing the needs of customers, residents and communities affected by the disaster.
The explosions occurred while NiSource
Gas utility settles Massachusetts gas explosion class action lawsuits for $143 million
subsidiary Columbia Gas of Massachusetts was replacing cast-iron pipe with plastic lines and caused the evacuation of thousands of residents.
“What happened last September was tragic, and we will always be mindful of its impact on our customers and everyone in the communities we serve, including those represented by this settlement,� NiSource Chief Executive Joe Hamrock said in a statement.
Last October, the National Transportation Safety Board said that an investigation found that Columbia Gas was replacing the old gas pipes without proper safety supervision when high pressure
The lawsuits were filed soon after the explosion and accused the company of inadequately maintaining its distribution system. Lawyers for the plaintiffs claimed
gas flooded the network, causing the explosions and fires. The settlement is separate from an $80
in court papers the gas pipeline system used by Columbia Gas to service those communities was poorly maintained, antiquated and highly dangerous.
resolve class action lawsuits caused by a series of gas explosions in three Massachusetts communities last
million deal that the company reached with the three communities in May and a recent settlement between Columbia and the
Federal prosecutors in Boston and the US Securities and Exchange Commission
year. NiSource said the agreement will resolve claims by thousands of
family of a teenager killed during the gas explosions.
have also opened investigations related to the disaster.
U
S utility group NiSource said on July 29 it will pay $143 million to
News Extra
9
and the asset is stable and producing.”
Auger deepwater platform - Image: Shell
“In the over 40 years that Shell has operated in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico we have strived, above all, to ensure our people go home safely to their loved ones. It’s devastating when they do not,” Shell said in a prepared statement. “We deeply regret this loss of life within our Shell family and community.”
Two killed at Shell Auger platform in Gulf of Mexico T
“This is a very difficult day for us,” added Danos spokeswoman Renee Piper. “The investigation is ongoing. Shell is obviously involved in that, and we’re participating.” Auger began production in September 2014 in the Cardamom oil and gas field, which can
wo people were killed at Royal Dutch Shell’s Auger Tension Leg Platform in the deepwater US Gulf of Mexico on June 30 while testing mandatory safety
A Shell employee and a contractor with Danos Inc, a Louisiana-based oilfield services provider, were killed during a routine test of a lifeboat launch and retrieval capabilities at
yield up to 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent each day, according to Shell’s website.
equipment, the company said. One other non-life-threatening injury was sustained and that individual is being treated in
the platform located 215 miles south of New Orleans, the statement said.
authorities as the company, the US Coast Guard and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) begin
hospital, Shell said in an emailed statement on July 1.
The platform remains in operation, Shell said. “There has been no impact to the environment
investigations. Shell will conduct an internal investigation as well.
Digitalizing hazardous Iqui tecte non nonsecto.areas. Bearum, connectivity. cus imi, quassitatur. Enabling Qui natur, con plate. Enhancing in mobility. Mobile Communication and Safety R2000 Detection
Exploring mobility-our goal is maximizing the potential of networked mobile devices in hazardous areas to open up new possibilities for our customers. Experience our Mobile Worker concept and discover how you can make your processes safer and more efficient with innovative, complete solutions. Learn more at www.ecom-ex.com
Shell said it was cooperating with federal
10 News Extra
The Hanford site’s PUREX plant – Image: Hanford.gov
The report suggests that a contamination leak could occur due to a fire or a break in a utility pipe, containment wall or the roof as the plant ages. In May 2017, hundreds of workers at the Hanford site were forced to take cover after a tunnel containing highly contaminated materials collapsed. Workers were told to shelter-in-place, secure ventilation to buildings and refrain from eating or drinking while others were told to evacuate the site following the incident. The contamination risk at the PUREX plant, the main plant at the Hanford site, is great enough that action should be considered now to prevent a release, according to the risk evaluation. The PUREX plant is made up of a main building, also called a ‘canyon’ due to its long, high interior, and two annexes. It is one of five canyons at the Hanford site which was deactivated in 1998.
US Hanford nuclear plant is degrading, environment at risk
The report makes a number of suggestions on how to reduce the risk of a contamination release from the PUREX plant. At a cost of $218 million, this would include removing or stabilising hazards in the canyon, decontaminating or stabilising the contamination in the annexes, draining fluids from piping, removing overhead utilities and tearing down parts of the interior. As well as decreasing the chance of a contamination
A
of its debris removed. Similarly, the rail cars are also set to be decontaminated,
release, this work would also help reduce maintenance and surveillance costs at the site and make future clean-up operations
the Hanford nuclear site in the State of Washington is at risk of releasing radioactive contamination into the
removed, and permanently buried. The option of grouting the rail cars in-place within the tunnel is also being evaluated since
less complicated. The report says that all the suggestions should be put into effect now in order to protect both people and the
environment. The PUREX (Plutonium Uranium Extraction) plant is heavily contaminated having been used to
removal of the cars would entail extreme worker safety hazards and would be more expensive.
environment.
new report from the US Department of Energy has said that a plant at
produce plutonium for the US defence programme up until the 1980s.
However, the current focus at the Hanford
The Hanford site, located 200 miles from Seattle, is considered to be the most contaminated nuclear site in the USA. The federal report includes a risk evaluation of the PUREX plant and found that contamination
According to the Tri-City Herald, a decision on how to go about cleaning up the Hanford site and demolish the PUREX plant is not expected until 2032 due to other, higher priorities at the site that require attention first. The new evaluation by the Department of Energy suggests that in the meantime,
site is treating around 56 million gallons of contaminated waste which is currently held underground at the facility. Maintenance work has been done on all of Hanford’s canyons, but demolition has begun on just one – U plant. Used for training and recovering uranium from waste at other plants, U plant could be used as a model on how to demolish the other canyons.
is spreading through the facility as it degrades. In addition to the PUREX plant, several highly contaminated rail cars used to transport irradiated fuel rods are also temporarily buried nearby. As with the other Hanford structures, PUREX is slated to be
the best option is to spend $218 million to remove hazards, prepare the main processing building for demolition and demolish two attached annexes. However, the Herald says this would depend on whether funds are available and if the work
No plan has been approved for the demolition of the other four canyons at Hanford yet. The Department of Energy is currently accepting public comments on the clean-up operation before issuing a decision on a clean-up plan
decontaminated, demolished, and some
would fit in with the other clean-up priorities.
later this year.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
News Extra 11
The group’s three Baytown plants have repeatedly been cited for violating regulations,
Representative image: Shutterstock
with limited consequences. The facility has violated the Clean Air Act for the last three years, according to Environmental Protection Agency data. The EPA and the state of Texas fined the company
Explosion and fire at Exxon petrochemical plant in Texas injures 37
A
n explosion and fire at an Exxon
a combined $3.8 million last year after the federal agency’s investigation found that Exxon Mobil was not properly operating or monitoring flares at facilities in Texas and Louisiana.
offices. Schools in the area kept students
The Texas Commission on Environmental
Mobil petrochemical plant in Baytown on the Houston Ship Canal injured 37 people and sent a thick column of smoke over the area. Jason Duncan,
indoors.
Quality fined the facility in 2016 and 2018 for air pollution violations.
the plant manager of the Olefins unit where the incident occurred, said most of the injured suffered minor burns and none had to be hospitalised.
or inconvenience that this incident may have caused the community,” Exxon spokeswoman Sarah Nordin said in a statement.
found that a major chemical incident occurs once every six weeks in the greater Houston area. Environmental and neighbourhood groups said the latest fire again demonstrated
Available air monitoring information from inside the Baytown Olefins Plant’s grounds and outside monitoring sources recorded no
the need for stronger enforcement of safety and environmental rules.
adverse impacts, Duncan said. The Baytown complex employs about 7,000 people across four manufacturing sites that
On April 2, an explosion at the KMCO chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, killed one person and injured two others. The blast started a large fire that took firefighters
cover almost 14 square kilometres. It sits alongside the Houston Ship Channel, the nation’s largest and busiest energy port, and
six hours to extinguish, and local officials imposed a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area, which is about 35km
includes a 500,000 barrel a day capacity refinery.
north east of Houston.
According to the Houston Chronicle, this is the second fire this year at an Exxon Mobil facility in Baytown, a city of 75,000 in Harris County. The cause was not immediately known, although the company said the blaze began with an explosion. The company shut down the Olefins unit - which processes propane and propylene and isolated the fuel that fed the fire, Duncan said. The fire apparently burned residual fuel contained in a large column.
“We are cooperating with regulatory agencies. We deeply regret any disruption
A Houston Chronicle investigation from 2016
This happened two weeks after a blaze at a The group last year completed the construction of a multibillion-dollar ethane cracker at the Baytown Olefins Plant.
petrochemical storage facility in Deer Park, south of Crosby. That fire, at a facility owned by Intercontinental Terminals Company,
Residents around the plant were told to
Exxon Mobil is already defending a lawsuit filed by Harris County alleging environmental
burned for days and triggered air quality warnings. Crosby is also where the Arkema chemical plant caught fire after being
close windows and doors, turn off air conditioning and remain in their homes or
violations stemming from a fire at a Baytown facility in March.
inundated during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, covering the area in toxic fumes.
The fire was extinguished by company employees, who were later joined by firefighters and equipment from the city.
ATEX SERIES
For more details of the full range email mail@ledco.co.uk or tel 01344 876 222
#LightEngineeredBetter www.ledlenser.com www.ledlenser-store.com
RECHARGEABLE AND FOCUSING INTRINSICALLY SAFE LIGHTING
WIN £1000 FOR THEM OR THEIR CAUSE Visit ledlenserhero.com to enter
#LedlenserHERO
Display instrumentation for use in hazardous and safe areas
WORLD LEADING MANUFACTURERS OF HAZARDOUS AREA ATEX & IECEx CERTIFIED LIGHTING EQUIPMENT. T: +44 (0)114 255 1051 E: info@wolfsafety.com
WWW.WOLFSAFETY.COM
www.beka.co.uk sales@beka.co.uk
Hitchin, SG5 2DA UK Tel +44 (0) 1462 438301
beka_general_86x124_Apr19.indd 1
4/26/2019 11:40:36 A
News Extra 13
Image: Shutterstock
Siberia hit by ammunition depot explosion, wildfires
T
Explosions at ammunition dumps can send unexploded shells flying for miles around,
the area to combat huge wildfires that have engulfed large parts of Siberia in recent
ammunition depot on a military base caught fire, triggering huge explosions that sent shrapnel flying for miles around. One soldier was killed and at
requiring a significant clean-up effort before locals can return to their homes. Flying munitions damaged a school and a kindergarten in the village of Kamenka,
weeks, due to unusually hot weather and strong winds.
least seven other people have been injured, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
but Bulgakov said that besides smashed windows there was little structural damage in the area.
said the air force had put out 753,000 hectares of forest fires in Siberia in four days. But Greenpeace Russia said the area
The soldier’s death was later denied by a Defence Ministry source, according to the
Ten Il-76 cargo planes and five Mi-8 helicopters were used to water-bomb the
of existing forest fires had in fact increased to 4.5 million hectares by August 6, an area the size of Belgium.
RIA Novosti news agency.
area, and the military deployed robots to battle the flames. Bulgakov said that 70 sappers were also sent to the region from
“The area of forest fires in Siberia continues to grow despite the statement by the
housands have been evacuated from a Siberian town after an
An estimated 40,000 tank and artillery
On August 4, Russia’s Ministry of Defence
shells were kept on the base in Achinsk, a Siberian city 2,000 miles east of Moscow. TASS said that 14,000 people have been
Moscow to help in clearing any remaining ammunition.
governor of the Krasnoyarsk territory, Alexander Uss, claiming that in his region ‘there was a radical turning point in the
evacuated to a distance of 20 km from the base.
Rusal, the world’s largest aluminium producer outside of China, said it suspended operations at its Achinsk plant and evacuated all but essential staff to ensure their safety. The plant is Russia’s largest producer of alumina, a raw material which is smelted into aluminium.
fight against fires’,” the group said in a statement.
Operations were not affected at Russian oil giant Rosneft’s Achinsk oil refinery 30 km from the base, TASS news agency quoted a refinery spokesperson as saying.
arrived in Irkutsk to coordinate firefighting operations.
The Achinsk ammunition store is one of the oldest in the Russian armed forces’ ordnance network and was due to be dismantled by 2022, TASS quoted the defence ministry as saying. Human error is being considered as the preliminary cause of the explosions, Deputy Defence Minister Dmitry Bulgakov was cited by Interfax as saying. Prosecutors and investigators will work to establish why the series of blasts were triggered, he added.
Exposure to smoke was posing a danger to health in many villages, towns and cities in the region. “Hundreds of people are affected by the effects of smoke,” said Deputy Emergency Minister Alexandr Chuprián, who
The aircraft and helicopters used to
States of emergencies have been declared across five regions in response to the fires, and the worst-affected areas are the Sakha
extinguish the Achinsk army base fire were in
Republic and the Krasnoyarsk region.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
14 News Extra
Artist’s impression of new Sizewell C plant - Image: EDF Energy
Initial construction design contract awarded for new UK nuclear power station U
K-based engineering company Atkins
The work will also specify future site
“Our delivery model will involve a great
has been awarded a £5 million ($6.2 million) contract for basic design and enabling work at the proposed Sizewell C site in Suffolk, eastern England. It will be
facilities and infrastructure required until commercial operation of the plant starts. In addition, it will determine the most cost-effective construction techniques and
amount of collaboration and alliance working, to drive efficiencies for EDF and their ECI contractors. To do this, we will draw upon our long-standing history
the first significant work to start at the proposed twin-EPR nuclear power plant.
innovative design solutions, and maximise replication from the Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset, already under construction.
of working within the nuclear new build industry - including our vast experience of working with EDF on other projects in the
Enabling works prepare the site for the start of the main civil works and marine works construction, and determine the optimal layout and sequence of the construction of the site, to
The work also includes the delivery of information required for the Development Consent Order, the Nuclear Site Licence and other key permits.
UK such as Hinkley Point C - to deliver engineering solutions that can reduce costs and speed up the construction process.”
ensure safety, efficiency and minimal impact on surrounding villages. They also aim to minimise the environmental impact on the surrounding
“This programme of work will see us combine our extensive experience in the
EDF Energy, the UK subsidiary of French group EDF, has a 66.5% stake in both
area during construction, including the design of a dedicated crossing through a designated conservation area.
nuclear new build sector with the use of innovative digital tools,” said Andrew Smart, project delivery director at Atkins.
Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, with Chinese nuclear engineering group CGN holding the remaining 33.5%.
UK commits funding to Rolls-Royce SMR nuclear programme
T
he UK government announced on July 23 that it would commit £18 million ($22.4 million) in initial funding to support the development of the RollsRoyce-led small modular reactor (SMR) programme. The SMR programme consortium comprises Rolls-Royce, Assystem, SNC Lavalin/Atkins, Wood, Arup, Laing O’Rourke, BAM Nuttall, Siemens, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and Nuclear AMRC. Rolls-Royce said the funding would be matched in part by contributions from the consortium and by attracting third-party investment. The investment is needed to mature the design, the company said,
www.hazardexonthenet.net
Image: Rolls-Royce
British jobs, reinvigorating a vital part of the country’s advanced manufacturing base and potentially generating hundreds of billions of pounds in export revenues,” the company said. “By working with the consortium…, the government has “laid the foundations for a homegrown nuclear power plant industry.”
addressing the considerable manufacturing technology requirements and to progress the regulatory licensing process. “Our design will bolster the UK’s ambitions to tackle climate change while taking a further step towards creating an estimated 40,000
The design’s technical and commercial foundations have been validated, it said, by the UK Research and Innovation team’s assessment for the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund; the independent assessment by the government’s Expert Finance Working Group; and by due diligence led by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Conference • Workshops • Exhibition • Awards Programme
ENT ANNOUNCEM
now be This event will gate, staged in Harro the N. Yorkshire at Majestic Hotel
Call for papers now open
The 2020 event will include a comprehensive conference for all those concerned with hazardous area operations, personnel, and environmental safety systems, alongside the exhibition, workshops, free seminar content, networking dinner and an awards ceremony. The event aims to strengthen and expand the community that looks to the Hazardex brand for essential industry intelligence and information.
Contact us for 2020 participation information now! hazardex@imlgroup.co.uk tel +44 (0) 1732 359990 www.hazardexonthenet.net
16 News Extra efforts. This will mean all 10 nuclear reactors in the northeastern prefecture,
Fukushima Daini NPP - CC Wikimedia Commons
including the six at the Daiichi complex, will be scrapped. It would leave the utility with only the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, and the Higashidori plant in the
TEPCO to decommission second Fukushima nuclear plant
T
northeastern prefecture of Aomori. Kobayakawa said at the meeting that TEPCO plans to build a new on-site storage facility for the Fukushima Daini reactors’ spent nuclear fuel which will be
okyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) will decommission the Fukushima Daini nuclear complex, its
TEPCO’s decision to scrap Fukushima Daini, expected to cost around 280 billion yen ($2.6 billion), will be formally approved
placed in metal containers and cooled using a dry storage method.
president, Tomoaki Kobayakawa, told the Governor of Fukushima province in northeastern Japan at a meeting on July 24, according to Kyodo News.
at the company’s board meeting later this month if local municipalities accept it. Kobayakawa said it will take over 40 years to complete the decommissioning of all four reactors at the plant.
No decision has been made on the final disposal of the spent fuel, raising concern that the radioactive waste may remain onsite for a long time.
The four-reactor plant has been closed since the nearby Fukushima Daiichi complex was crippled by the March 2011
The prefecture had demanded that the utility scrap Fukushima Daini, saying its
The Fukushima Daini plant currently has around 10,000 assemblies of spent fuel cooling in pools, according to Kyodo
earthquake and tsunami disaster.
existence would hamper its reconstruction
News.
VIRIBUS
TM
300 DUAL-LIGHT
TM
RECHARGEABLE (XPR-5580G)
LUMENS
SLY OU NE TA
& FLOODLIGHT
E
SPOTLIGHT
L&V RFLUOODLIGHETRSAT E F SIM IL UL OWGHT &
USE S PO P TL I
OUTLAST EVERY SHIFT
9+ HOURS OF RUNTIME
Nightstick offers the largest selection of ZONE 0, ATEX certified-safe portable lights in the world, with 30+ intrinsically safe LED lighting products to choose from.
Visit nightstick.com for a full line of products
News Extra 17
Pertamina has mobilised 800 people and more than 100 military personnel to
Image: Shutterstock
clean up the affected coastline and has set up health posts in four of the coastal villages where the oil has come ashore. The company is using high-speed water skimmers and has installed more booms in the south and east of the offshore oil platform to prevent the spread of oil, the company said.
Leaking oil well in Indonesia causes 84 km slick
O
The Jakarta Post quoted local officials as saying that the clean-up operation would take at least six months, and possibly up to a year.
il from an undersea well in the Java Sea that began leaking about
Company officials have said it may take about eight weeks before the leaking well
In April 2018, oil from a leaking undersea pipeline near a Pertamina refinery in the
two weeks ago is threatening to spread further as winds extend the 84 km oil slick. State oil company PT Pertamina says the flow from the damaged well
can be fully shut in. A semi-submersible rig will arrive near the leak site in August to start injecting cement into the broken well. Pertamina has hired US well control
Indonesian province of East Kalimantan caught fire and killed four fishermen.
offshore Karawang, West Java, has declined to below 3,000 barrels per day. The spill has contaminated beaches in
experts Boots and Coots to provide advice.
for the leak, which caused a multikilometre long oil slick and contaminated a significant stretch of coastline and local
at least 10 villages mostly to the west of the YYA-1 well, the energy ministry said on July 29.
The company has mobilised 32 vessels to control the oil spill and combat the risk of it catching fire.
fisheries. Days later it said it had traced the leak to an undersea pipeline feeding the refinery.
The company initially denied responsibility
corrosion resistant fume extraction Corrosion resistant polypropylene ATEX certified Suitable for handling chemical vapours Short lead times
A new range of ATEX Certified Stainless Steel Panel PCs for use in hazardous environments. 15” to 21.5” Intel iCore / Celeron / Atom IP66 Grade with M12 Waterproof Connectors. ATEX Zone2, IECEx and C1D2 Certified
Highly Commended Contribution to Safety Award Call: 01782 349 430 Email: sales@axair-fans.co.uk Visit: www.axair-fans.co.uk
ALL AREAS
9455Z0 A R E A
sales@bvmltd.co.uk | 01489 780144
L I G H T
Portable, powerful, rechargeable light Category leading output: 1600 lumens Lightweight only 7.3 kg U p to 10 hours run time NiMH battery: no trailing cables II 1G Ex ia op is IIC T4 Ga T: 01457 869999 E: sales@peliproducts.co.uk
INTRINSICALLY SAFE TORCHES
ACCESS
www.bvm.co.uk/atex
1975Z0
2410Z0
2755Z0
3315Z0
3415Z0
PELIPRODUCTS.CO.UK
Standards 19
Ageing assets – a pause for thought
Every two months, SGS Baseefa Technical Manager and IECEx Service Facility Certification Committee chairman Ron Sinclair MBE gives his perspective on the latest developments in the world of standards
application of modern paints within
But a simple study of all the worst
the last few years has enabled the first cessation of continuous painting on this bridge in living memory. So what has this got to do with hazardous areas?
explosions and fires, from Piper Alpha to Macondo, via Buncefield, shows that there was a far greater escape of the flammable material than had been contemplated in the design of the installation. And, almost inevitably, the
Ageing assets are not unique to civil engineering structures. Assets deteriorate
escape was due to operator error, or bad initial specification of the control systems. In no cases, has the installed
as soon as they are put to use, but a careful inspection and maintenance plan can ensure that the assets last their design life.
Ex Equipment been shown to be at fault.
Just as failure of a dam structure can
Which gives us pause for thought. Whether it is operator error, poor
August, just two days after the town of Whaley Bridge, between Buxton and Manchester, has been evacuated
result in devastation, so can failure of any single item of equipment in a hazardous area result in an explosion. Just as the
installation or inspection leading to incorrect maintenance or repair, it is people that have the biggest influence
because of the sudden partial collapse of a 180-year old reservoir dam. No trains are running on the
Victorians built the Toddbrook dam at Whaley Bridge with the probable intention it should last forever, manufacturers of
on safety.
line between Buxton and Manchester, and a relief bus service cannot be provided to intermediate stations,
equipment intended for installation in hazardous areas follow design codes – standards – which should enable the
dam will have collapsed, and everyone will have seen the pictures of the devastation and the name of Whaley
because the roads are closed.
equipment to remain safe for the typical life of a plant (rather than forever).
Bridge will be forever in our nations consciousness, or the engineers will have found a way of stabilising it, and
approximately 1,500 people will be washed away, and the devastation will affect people for at least a further eight miles down the valley of the River Goyt. Even the main rail line between Manchester and Sheffield, crossing the valley three miles downstream, is closed as a safety precaution.
But no matter how good the design standard, it can all be defeated by poor installation, maintenance or bad repair techniques. Indeed, it is impossible to point to a situation where an item of equipment that meets the construction standards and has been properly selected and installed, regularly inspected and maintained, or correctly repaired, has
it will all be “yesterday’s news”. Clearly I am hoping for the latter, but the final reports on the cause of the (near) collapse will make fascinating reading. Just as have the reports on Piper Alpha, Buncefield and Macondo.
That the dam, constructed in 1838, was built with the then common technique of a clay core reinforced by earth, shows that the Victorian engineers, building our industrial infrastructure (in this case a
been the cause of an explosion. However, unlike the dam, where structural failure could easily be seen as the cause of any devastation, a major explosion would destroy the evidence of what caused the
water supply for the Peak Forrest Canal) knew a thing or two about building to last. But even well-built structures need appropriate maintenance. Would the Forth Rail Bridge (built in the 1880s) still be standing if it had never been painted to control the development of rust? The
ignition. For this reason, in a potentially hazardous area, we not only select and install the most appropriate equipment; we also take steps to ensure that the actual hazardous material is under control. If there is no flammable gas or dust in an area, it cannot explode.
I
am writing this at the start of
If the dam fails, the houses of
By the time you read this, either the
About the author SGS Baseefa Technical Manager Ron Sinclair MBE is chairman of BSI Committee EXL/31, responsible for the UK input to both European and International standards for Electrical Equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. He is also chairman of Cenelec TC31, represents electrical standardisation interests on the European Commission’s ATEX Standing Committee and chairs the IECEx Service Facility Certification Committee.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
20 Risk management
Munitions stockpile disposal in Botswana
Risk management in explosive ordnance disposal O
ver the years, Hazardex has published a number of articles on risk analysis and management from the point of view of high hazard industry and process safety specialists. Here, as a contrast, we asked explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) expert Colin King, a former British Army engineer and bomb disposal trainer, how he manages the many varied risks associated with going about his daily business.
Introduction I should begin by confessing that I’m far from being an expert in risk management.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
If an operator makes a serious mistake, the chances are that it’s more to do with training or management than incompetence
However, with more than thirty years in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and with all major appendages still attached, I can at least claim some practical experience. Perhaps my background, coupled with my
relatively recent introduction to a formalised approach, gives me a slightly unusual perspective on the nature of risk. The definition of risk is “the effect of uncertainty on objectives”, and uncertainty is in plentiful supply when operating on unknown munitions in far-away places. The processes that we apply during our EOD work are firmly based on the principles enshrined within ISO 31000, however our approach to the detail is constantly evolving. This often obliges us at our EOD consultancy, Fenix Insight, to consider familiar risks from an unfamiliar standpoint.
Risk management 21 Risk transfer
Perception
The relationship between risk and
Our perception of risk is often very
opportunity is fundamental to our work. Unexploded and abandoned ordnance often constitutes a major barrier to opportunity in post-conflict regions, but the disposal of these weapons clearly entails danger. Even in stable regions, the
different from the reality; largely a product of cognitive bias, which is an impressive-sounding name for the failure of human logic. People tend to publicise, discuss and remember newsworthy and disastrous events, but rarely place them
presence of old ammunition stockpiles usually constitutes a major hazard, such as the accidental explosion of depots, with so-called ‘unplanned explosions in munition stockpiles’ (UEMS) occurring on a monthly basis. In 2017 and 2018 alone, more than
in context with infinitely higher numbers of dull or successful outcomes. This phenomenon, enthusiastically fuelled by Hollywood, creates the image of EOD as an outrageously high-risk occupation.
fifty UEMS occurred around the globe, killing hundreds, displacing thousands and costing countless millions of dollars in lost infrastructure and remediation.
Unexploded and abandoned ordnance endangers communities, but the management of that risk entails its transfer to EOD personnel
There is also the danger that ammunition will be acquired by non-state armed groups, for use in attacks and improvised
it to those who – for whatever peculiar reason – have chosen a career in EOD. We, in turn, seek to understand and manage
explosive devices (IEDs). In either case, management of the risk entails transferring
that risk. But risk comes in many forms, some of which are quite counter-intuitive.
Statistically, the chances of getting killed or seriously injured at work are considerably higher in the construction industry than they are in EOD – a fact that many find surprising. Furthermore, far more deminers have died in road accidents, or from disease, than have fallen victim to explosive devices. Highly trained EOD operators are not immune to cognitive bias, or even good EOD risk severity matrix
Severity
Likelihood
Falkland Islands mine clearance. We assess both immediate risk and long-term residual risk
www.hazardexonthenet.net
22 Risk management old-fashioned superstition. There’s a common misconception that ammunition becomes more dangerous as it ages, with emotive words such as ‘unstable’ and ‘volatile’ often bandied about. After the Falklands War, the unexploded British BL-755 submunition was so feared that EOD operators were warned against casting a shadow over it. For anyone that knows anything about the weather in the Falklands this was clearly ludicrous, yet the myth was perpetuated in official army publications.
Evidence and investigation The need for logic to triumph over bias or superstition demands evidence and we at Fenix are firm believers in evidence-based
Clearance of a bomb storage area in Iraq. Risk in a situation like this is assessed as high consequence but very low probability
decision-making. To that end, we have disassembled and examined countless unexploded munitions, finding that the vast majority actually become safer with age.
ageing is key not only to our immediate assessment of operational risk, but also for predicting long-term residual risk. This is hugely important, for example,
mine were to be missed, or wash up on the shore in 10 years’ time, would it still pose a risk? In addition to overseeing the clearance operation, we therefore recover,
to the British Government regarding the clearance of mines in the Falklands. If a
disassemble and examine sample mines.
Understanding the factors involved in
Handle with care! The electronic fuze of the SNA submunition begins to arm when the end cover is released
www.hazardexonthenet.net
Risk management 23 Explosive hazards Notwithstanding skewed perceptions,
‘one, or a small number of deaths’ (score: 5) or ‘large number of deaths’ (score: 6).
40 seconds once the spring-loaded cover moved by 4 mm or so, thereafter detonating
our first and foremost obligation is to manage the immediate risk of an accidental explosion. Our risk treatment uses a familiar risk severity matrix (see page 21), scoring the likelihood of an event against the consequences and then applying controls
However, in many cases the likelihood is extremely low and often in the realms of ‘Very unlikely: the event has never happened or is very rare; there is no expectation that it will happen’ (2), or even ‘It is almost impossible to envisage this
on a random delay, or when moved. A contingency plan was therefore needed, capable of being implemented comfortably (if that’s an appropriate term) within 40 seconds, in case of accidental release.
in order to minimise both.
happening” (1).
Tunnel vision
The emphasis tends to be on reducing the likelihood of an event rather than managing the consequences, an ounce of prevention being worth a good few pounds of cure
‘High consequence but low likelihood’ is often the case with the handling and transportation of abandoned or stockpiled munitions and most of the controls involve
With such an intense focus on preventing detonation, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision. Recovering anti-tank mines on the Jordan/Syria border, I noticed that one had a hole beneath it. This is unusual for a
in this business. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and copious sandbags are therefore well down the list of controls, and we never forget that
common-sense precautions, such as adequate safety distances and minimal numbers of personnel. But things get more interesting as we begin disassembly,
mine that’s been in the ground for a long time and I suspected that it might have been booby trapped. Putting my hand into the hole to feel for a fiendish device,
‘avoidance’ (finding another way, or not taking the job) is an option.
particularly if the munition is high-risk, or its make-up is unknown.
With most explosive weapons, the potential
A recent example was the SNA submunition
I was somewhat startled when a scorpion crawled out. Apparently, this particular family had learned that mines, warmed in the sun during the day, kept them warm
consequences of an accident are serious, generally amounting to what our narrative description understatedly describes as
from a Spanish cluster bomb that we encountered in Peru. Not much was known about this device, but it was said to arm in
and cosy through the night. The primary lesson, however, was more to do with broadening my view of risk assessment.
The hole beneath this antitank mine was due to a scorpion nest, not – as I had thought - a booby trap
www.hazardexonthenet.net
24 Risk management Everyone wants a piece of the action in the Green Zone; this area demands careful attention
Beware the Green Zone
is the area that the host nation likes to run, but our experience is that it often requires
Reputational risk
primarily on explosive hazards is that more mundane, but more likely risks are easily overlooked. We tend to colour-
more risk management than yellow and red areas put together.
the correct equipment, with inadequate safety distances, when tired, slightly unwell or under sustained attack from
code our working areas, with preparatory work undertaken in the Green Zone; initial access into the weapon occurs in the Yellow Zone and skilled activities, involving disarming or disassembly, are undertaken only in the Red Zone. But while all eyes focus on the work of the elite Red Team, the chances of an accident are invariably higher in the Green Zone.
Further down the list are seemingly trivial risks that are easily overlooked, such as tiredness, sickness and travel. These tend to become more significant when in the far-away developing countries where we routinely work. It’s not unusual to be working on a bomb within hours of a full day’s journey, but few clients are prepared to pay for business class flights.
killer bees. But there has to be – and I’m going to use the ‘C’ word here – a degree of Compromise. Most jobs involve the negotiation of various memoranda and terms of reference, coordination between multiple stakeholders, the allocation of suitable facilities, local workers, visiting dignitaries, accommodation, transport and so forth. Having then flown halfway around
It’s here that heavy items swing around, suspended on frayed strops, from old machines leaking hydraulic fluid. It’s here that everyone without something better
Local drivers love to demonstrate the unrivalled performance of their vehicle, their advanced overtaking skills and fearless character. Any lack of enthusiasm from
to do gathers to yell instructions at the machine operator, accompanied by wild gesticulations, all the while identifying the intended placement (on the poorly welded and untested frame) by placing unprotected hands, feet - or even their entire body - at that point. The green zone
their passengers is viewed as unsporting, verging on the downright rude. Purveyors of local delicacies composed, and sometimes decomposed, from unspecified animal parts, take a similar view. It’s often hard to resolve the conflict between gracious acceptance and self-preservation.
Another effect of focusing attention
www.hazardexonthenet.net
Nobody should work on a bomb without
the world, informing the client that we can’t or won’t work would entail a very real reputational risk. This must be balanced against the more immediate risk of an unplanned explosion, a casualty or – heaven forbid – an environmental issue. We are therefore forced into some form of compromise on virtually every job we undertake. It is normally possible to address unexpected risks to some extent, but the question of
Risk management 25
Working on an SA-3 missile in South America, uncomfortably close to the local village
where and when to draw the line remains extremely difficult. In many cases, the solution is to encourage the senior host
that many readers will have identified parallels with their worlds. Wellestablished principles, such as the link
nation representative to formally accept liability, but the potential for reputational damage, or even legal action, remains uncomfortable.
between risk and opportunity, and the fact that the treatment of one risk often gives rise to another, are equally valid.
When things do go wrong, accident
The gap between the perception of risk and the reality is probably wider in EOD than in comparable sectors, resulting
investigation within our industry is often poor. Responsibility is frequently placed squarely on the operators, who may or
in intense scrutiny on the rare-butsensational at the expense of the likely-but-dull. Because of this, intuitive
may not be around to defend themselves. There’s often a reluctance, or perhaps an inability, to perform anything approaching
decisions are often flawed, hence the need for evidence to support key decisions. In the world of EOD, where
root cause analysis – particularly where the culture promotes blame and punitive action, rather than fostering an atmosphere
that evidence is not readily available, we have to be prepared to go looking for it.
A positive culture
of openness. If an operator makes a serious mistake, the chances are that it’s more to do with training or management than incompetence. This can be hard for the parent organisation to accept, so the fundamental issue remains unchecked, corrective action doesn’t occur and the risk continues.
Perhaps the greatest difference from otherwise comparable industries is the degree of compromise that we’re obliged to tolerate. It seems bizarre that this should be the case in such a technical discipline, but the Real World has other ideas. We do our best to
I’m increasingly aware that risk, and its treatment, are remarkably similar
identify and treat the risk factors within our control, but we are constantly negotiating challenges relating to time and space, regulations and resources. It is, forgiving the unavoidable pun, a minefield. Sometimes, complete with a
across many industries, and I’d expect
nest of scorpions.
Conclusion
About the author
Colin King served as a bomb disposal officer in the British Army, with operational tours including the Falklands, Gulf, Bosnia and Kosovo. He instructed at the British EOD School and spent many years in military intelligence, also leading the first British team to train Afghan deminers before his final tour with the Gurkhas. He is now the technical director of Fenix Insight Ltd, with tasks including the disassembly and analysis of live munitions in conflict zones throughout the world. Colin also writes the leading technical reference work on EOD for Jane’s Information Group.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
26 Data File Hydramotion celebrates 25 years in Japan
In June Hydramotion sent a delegation to the British Embassy in Tokyo to meet with the Director of Trade and Investment, Chris Heffer. The primary reason for the visit was to meet with Hydramotion’s Japanese representatives and discuss plans for expansion in 2020. In addition the trip was seen as a celebration to mark 25 years of successful trade with Japan. Hydramotion has successfully penetrated all sectors of Japanese market including; chemical, petrochem, polymer & resin, oil & gas, pharma, food & beverage. The company specialises in measuring viscosity under harsh process conditions whilst maintaining supreme accuracy. This has placed Hydramotion at the forefront of the industry supplying to most of the leading manufacturers including; Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Kirin Beer, Panasonic, Mitsui amongst many others. Viscometers from Hydramotion are certified for use in hazardous areas in Japan and comply with the Japanese National Standard, JIS. Tel: +44 (0)1653 600 294 Fax: +44 (0)1653 693 446 Web: https://hydramotion.com
Like what you see, but not your copy? the journal for hazardous area environments
If you or/and a colleague would like to receive FREE copies of HazardEx Magazine every month, you can register online by scanning the QR code below
Open the QR code on your phone or launch the camera on an iPhone, scan the QR code here and complete the online form or visit https://data.imlgroup.uk/hazardex-quick-signup/
Dry screw vacuum pump - Image: © Edwards Limited 2019
Pumps 27
Pumping flammable vapours with dry vacuum pumps M
odern chemical, biochemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing plants utilise vacuum systems in many
the vacuum conditions essential to their processes, many companies are turning to dry vacuum pump technology to meet their
of their processes. The vacuum pumps installed at these plants are regularly exposed to harsh environments and
needs.
must be capable of withstanding damage from corrosion and the risk posed by processing flammable vapours; all without imparting the additional costs associated with unscheduled downtime and excessive maintenance protocols. In this article, Rudi De Koninck of Edwards Vacuum looks at the advantages of dry
both screw and reverse claw mechanisms, include the ability to control pump body and internal gas temperatures allowing a comprehensive range of solvents, flammables and corrosives to be pumped.
vacuum pumps and what to consider as part of a proper safety strategy when pumping potentially explosive atmospheres.
these processes. A range of features and benefits enables dry vacuum pumps to excel in such environments:
To provide the safe, reliable, capable and efficient systems for the provision of
• Excellent temperature control • Large liquid slug handling capability • Capable of low-pressure operation without being constrained by sealing liquid properties
Proven non-contacting dry pump designs,
Dry pumps can provide the clean and robust vacuum solution needed to successfully drive
Excellent performance characteristics: • Continuous operation from atmospheric to ultimate vacuum pressure
Safe and compliant operation, capable of handling: • Flammable gases • Low auto-ignition temperature gases (T4) • Corrosive gases • Hydrogen Environmentally safe operation: • • • • - •
No effluent generated Dry running mechanism Efficient solvent recovery Low power consumption Reduced maintenance On-site seal and bearing change
• Flushable with water, solvent or steam
www.hazardexonthenet.net
28 Pumps Simplicity • Very good cost of ownership balance
• Solvents/ Solvent recovery • Sterilisation - Ethylene Oxide
and “rare malfunctions”, and products to be tested by external certified houses.
• Configured for hazardous area installations • No requirement for complex liquid sealing systems
System design
This has led to a situation where dry vacuum pumps are now the preferred technology
In order to settle on a robust solution, the vacuum system designer will consider many factors to ensure an optimally efficient, safe and reliable vacuum system is delivered
Dry pumps have contact-free pumping mechanisms and no ignition sources in normal operation. However, they are often required to pump potentially explosive atmospheres and it is necessary to consider
across a range of industries and market segments, including: • Bulk Chemical • Pharmaceutical • Fine Chemicals • Oil & Gas
for use in a specific application. Factors considered in designing the system include but are not limited to: • Process design • Equipment specification and selection • Safety and operating procedures
the possibility of ignition sources resulting from failure conditions. A proper safety strategy should include the following steps: 1. Identify the potential for explosive atmospheres. Understand where an explosive atmosphere may occur and where
• Specialty Chemicals • Petrochemicals • Oleochemicals
• Vacuum systems and control integration • Commissioning and installation • Installation and Operation Qualification
an ignition might take place. To do so, one should consider the external atmosphere surrounding the pump and the internal atmosphere within the pump, including the
Dry pump technology is used over a myriad of applications, from bench scale/lab tests through pilot scale and API contract manufacturing to full scale process plants.
This will typically include a dry pump system with a series of accessory modules including: • Mechanical boosters – for increased pumping speed and improved ultimate
process interface to the inlet of the vacuum pump, and the area from the inlet on the vacuum pump to the exhaust interface. 2. Avoid explosive atmospheres.
Typical applications where dry vacuum pumps are used nowadays concern: • Crystallisation
vacuum. • Gas purges – to dilute flammables and extend seal life.
Operation outside the flammable range ensures that even if an ignition source is present there will not be an explosion.
• Deodorisation • Desorption • Distillation - “normal”, molecular, short path • Drying, including filter & freeze drying
• Safety devices; solvent flush, inlet isolation valves, flame arrestors • Recovery vessels – for solvents or other fluids
3. Eliminate both spark and auto-ignition sources. Auto-ignition can be avoided by configuring the pump correctly, but it is impossible to eliminate all potential sources
• Evaporation • Filtration • Fluid Handling
• Monitors and controls – from gauges and 4-20 mA transmitters to fully enclosed bespoke control units.
of spark ignition in a dry mechanical pump. Like other mechanical, rotating equipment, dry pumps contain bearings that can fail
• House vacuum/Central Vacuum/General service/Pilot plant • Pervaporation
Safety/ATEX considerations The European ATEX legislation is the
and cause spark ignition. Debris such as built-up solids could also lead to hot spots. Therefore, if pumping in the flammable
• Polymerisation • Reactor service
most stringent in the field, requiring pump manufacturers to consider “malfunction”
zone is unavoidable, steps are to be taken to minimise sources through good pump
www.hazardexonthenet.net
Pumps 29
design, operation, and maintenance practice. 4. Limit the effects of a potential ignition. If, despite the above precautions, an ignition does occur, it is important that it does not cause a major incident or any damage.
• Protection by an inert gas. This often leads to bigger pumps because of the continuous flow of nitrogen at the inlet of the vacuum pump. More controls also have to be considered which leads to a higher cost.
ownership includes the capital, installation, operating, and maintenance costs. Dry pumps offer the best thermal efficiency of any chemical vacuum producing system. Reduced power consumption results in a lower carbon footprint and environmental impact.
The following considerations will limit the effect of an explosion:
Summary
The final choice of a vacuum system should
• Protection by constructional safety. The protection principle of constructional safety is defined in European standard EN13463-5. This specifies the way in which mechanical equipment should be designed to avoid active ignition
Dry pumps are now well established around the world as an efficient, reliable option for demanding chemical processing industry applications. When looking into an application involving dry pumps, it is important to consider a few points when specifying
be based on safety, cost of ownership and payback. Despite the higher capital cost of a dry pump system, the lower cost of ownership often means these pumps pay for themselves particularly quickly.
sources. This is particularly applicable to the internals of dry vacuum pumps that commonly operate with small clearances. It is possible, after careful consideration, to use this alone and safely pump flammable vapours. • Protection by containment. Containment in a vacuum system requires
equipment.
About the author
Firstly, a proper strategy for identifying and classifying any hazardous conditions, such as flammability of gases and the potential for an explosive environment (both internally and external to the pump), is essential. Dry pump technology has contact-free
the prevention of flame propagation to the external atmosphere, the process chamber and the exhaust pipework. Preventing
pumping mechanisms and the principle of “constructional safety” can provide the required protection omitting the need for
propagation along the pipework requires individual consideration. Flame arrestors have been used effectively for many years in the chemical, pharmaceutical
additional flame arrestors and inert gas flows.
and associated industries to prevent the propagation of internal explosions. However, their performance is dependent
not too cold nor too hot in order to reduce the risk of condensation (and subsequent corrosion), polymerisation, auto-ignition,
on the geometry of the connecting pipework and pump. It is therefore essential that the performance of the flame arrestors
and pump failure.
is tested with the pumps to prove that as a combination they will contain any explosion.
maximum equipment uptime and minimum total cost of ownership. The total cost of
Secondly, mechanical dry pumps should have a temperature-pressure profile that is
Lastly, business success depends on Rudi De Koninck has had a long career in the realm of vacuum, particularly in the chemical market. He started with Edwards in 1990 as Sales Specialist Chemical Industry. Later, he was Sales Manager for Benelux and Scandinavia. From 2000 till 2006, he held the role of Market Manager and from 2007 he took the lead for the CPI Market in Central Europe until 2017. Since 2018, he has been in his current position of Business Development Manager CPI.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
HIGH PERFORMANCE ATEX & IECEX LIGHTING TOWER EX LED TOWER LIGHT n
ATEX & IECEx certified for Zones 1 & 2 (gas)
n
Light output 25,000 lumens
n
Large spread of high power light
n
Easily adjustable light head
n
Powerful, versatile, ruggedised light
n
Low power consumption (300W) and high efficiency
FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT US AT:
+44 (0) 333 240 6111 info@saequip.com www.saequip.com
WIRELESS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH RF MOTION SENSORS SUITABLE FOR EXPLOSION PROOF LIGHTING APPLICATIONS IN ZONE 21 AND ZONE 22 (Zone 1 and Zone 2 Pending)
Hazlite zlite
A) LED Light fitting - Complete with Node and Sensor, lumen output 10500 lumens at 145 L/W, Standard and Emergency versions come complete with a Tridonic combined Dali driver and power module.
B A
B) Control Node - Mounted within the explosionproof luminaire and connected to the DALI driver unit, mains voltage operation using RF control signals. C) Electronic Collator - Installed within its own explosion proof housing,
device allows for athe cloud based remote controlled system providing • See above for the top header and this below for bottom header operational functions for each individual lighting application, the collator will
harvest the for workingthe data from each individual header luminaire and allow for real time e above for the top header and below bottom
C
viewing via its web portal.
D) Movement sensor - Linked to the wireless node (see item B) and mounted within the luminaire, the sensors are able to detect area occupancy and provide control signals for each individual light fitting.
Key points - Real time control – Automated reporting – Dimming as and when required – Energy saving – Adjustable on/off timing – Self testing – Heat sensing – Increased component life expectancy – End to end lighting control – Reduced carbon foot print – health and safety Enhanced – Data harvesting – Full condition monitoring – System defaults to normal lighting mode.
P - 0151 422 0184 M +44(0)7860 121326 M +44(0)7341 963739 For a cost of ownership quote, Demonstrati on or Site visit then please call: www.hazlite.com sales@hazlite.com
Hazlite
Unit 8 Teal Business Park, Tan House Lane, Widnes. Cheshire WA8 0ZA
P - 0151 422 0184 M +44(0)7860 121326 M +44(0)7341 963739 www.hazlite.com sales@hazlite.com Unit 8 Teal Business Park, Tan House Lane, Widnes. Cheshire WA8 0ZA
Lighting 31
Developing a lighting strategy for hazardous environments B
efore launching a new luminaire designed specifically for harsh and hazardous environments earlier this
Safety
year, Chalmit spoke to plant managers and engineers who are responsible for operations on sites such as oil and gas
hazardous environments. The temperature at which a light operates, its quality and performance, and its chemical composition,
refineries, chemical processing plants, drilling and exploration rigs, and heavy industrial facilities.
are all factors which affect the health and safety credentials of any lighting strategy.
System lifetime
The engineers were asked, when it comes to lighting, what priorities were at the front of their minds. The most pressing factors were system lifetime, efficiency, quality, light performance, and health and safety. Interestingly, these are all critical factors when
Hazardous environments are potentially explosive atmospheres. Bearing this in mind, and in order to protect the people and equipment that surround it, the maximum surface temperature of a light must not be able to reach the temperature required to ignite combustible gases and dust. Lighting should be able to
lighting reduces the downtime, costs and risks associated with maintenance work in hazardous environments. It is critical that companies install durable lighting, able to withstand the challenges present in such environments. For instance, the lighting must be able to cope with corrosive elements in water and air, continuous
developing a lighting strategy. In this article, Ken Eddleston, Lighting Product Manager at Chalmit, discusses the factors that companies working in hazardous environments must consider when developing their own lighting
operate spark free. In terms of quality and performance, high precision tasks in heavy industrial environments must not be done in dimly lit conditions. Workplace safety can be improved with highly directional and uniform lighting, that has good colour
vibrations, shocks and fire risks. Fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs often fail to reach their predicted lifespan when installed in such environments, mainly because of their moving parts, which include unstable filaments vulnerable
strategy.
rendering. Other locations where safety
to damage.
Workplace safety is the most important lighting consideration for decision-makers managing
can be enhanced by utilising good quality lighting include process areas, compressor decks, stairwells, catwalks, and walkways, all of which need to be illuminated consistently.
Lighting strategies must also consider the importance of system lifetime. Long-life
www.hazardexonthenet.net
32 Lighting LED luminaires are far better suited to hazardous environments as they can have
with robust and durable heat sinks. Heat sinking increases the surface area and
Efficiency
a system life of over 120,000 hours at 25°C. A high-pressure sodium luminaire, on the other hand, needs relamping every 20,000-24,000 hours. Installing the former as opposed to the latter creates five fewer maintenance visits,
allows for maximum air flow for heat to dissipate and transfer from the light to the ambient environment. Effective thermal management ensures longer life, lower lumen deprecation and minimal colour shift over the life of a light, thus reducing the
is important because it will impact on energy usage, infrastructure costs and even safety. Rising power prices have made the search for more efficient power options an economic, as well as an environmental priority. With pressure
thus significantly reducing the risk of accidents during maintenance. When assessing the durability of lighting, it’s important to consider its construction and performance characteristics. For instance, invest in a light constructed
likelihood of required maintenance.
mounting from both the public and governments for industries to improve their green credentials, now is the time to consider implementing LED lighting. LEDs use far less energy
In any lighting strategy, lighting efficiency
when compared to fluorescent alternatives. For luminaires across all lighting sources, both input wattage and lumens are documented, and a calculation of lumens per watt functions as the efficiency metric. Drivers are used to power LEDs. They
www.hazardexonthenet.net
Lighting 33
have very high-power factors (PF) and low total harmonic distortion (THD).
quality checks and reading gauge measurements. At the most basic end of
important to carefully think about your lighting strategy. Invest in lighting that
The most efficient lights will perform with a PF above 95% and a THD below 15%. More efficient systems further enhance safety through reducing the load on the electrical system. Added to this, more efficient lighting systems
the scale, better lighting reduces the risk of slips, trips or falls. At the upper end, it can be more effective in alerting passing shippers and guiding in helicopters. When comparing the performance of luminaires across both traditional
provides compelling safety benefits and long-term operational cost savings. That means lighting which offers a long maintenance-free economic life, reduced energy consumption, durability and superior lighting quality.
can result in lower infrastructure costs based on reduced requirements for circuit breakers, transformers and wire conductors. Lighting that doesn’t contain filaments, electrodes or mercury should also be preferred over alternatives.
and LED lighting, the focus should be on the usable light on the work plane determined by the lux reading. Decisionmakers shouldn’t simply compare different lumen scores as, given its more directional nature, LED lighting requires
Not least because there is no need for specialised storage and disposal measures when these components aren’t present. Finally, it is worth avoiding
less lumens than traditional light sources, while performing even better.
light that emits UV or infrared radiation. This can cause significant degradation of the specific materials used to manufacture lighting luminaries.
Safety, reliability of operation and high maintenance costs of lighting systems in hazardous environments have become critical issues globally. Plant managers
Performance
and engineers are facing safety concerns owing to frequent lighting failures in the face of extreme temperatures, explosive
No lighting strategy can be complete without light performance being considered. Highly directional lighting with impressive colour rendering qualities is ideal. This is because directional lighting reduces light pollution by delivering light with minimal loss or spill. It also minimises the number of luminaires required to illuminate a workplace effectively. Colour rendering indicates the degree to which a light source shows the
About the author
Conclusion
gases, combustible dusts and fibres, high pressure water hosing, vibration and corrosive fluids. With this in mind, it is
Ken Eddleston has over ten years of experience in lighting design. As Lighting Product Manager, Ken has been responsible for supporting every aspect of the Protecta X project from concept to completion. His key focus has been in ensuring that feedback from Chalmit customers has formed a central part of the Protecta X design.
true colours of the object it illuminates. Lights with impressive colour rendering credentials contribute to creating a safer working environment. Employees are provided with more accurate lighting which eases precision tasks such as
www.hazardexonthenet.net
FS Engineer & Technician (TĂœV Rheinland) Certificate Training 2019
FS Engineer SIS: Aberdeen:
23-26 September 2-5 December Weekends: 9-10 + 16-17 November (run over two weekends)
Paris:
26-29 November
FS Technician: Aberdeen:
11-14 November
Introduction to Functional Safety:
(The ideal 1 day workshop to prepare for the FS Engineer course, or for any staff/managers wishing to have an overview of Functional Safety)
Aberdeen:
13 September
C & C Technical Support Services is an accepted course provider of the TĂœV Rheinland Functional Safety Training Program. We also run in-house training on request. Please contact us for more details or to register: Email: info@silsupport.com Or Tel: +44 (0) 13398 86618
View our full Global schedule at: www.silsupport.com
Alarms 35
What are the risks of not responding to a critical alarm in time?
F
or any organisation that operates within a high-risk environment, critical alarms are a fundamental component to assure the safety of staff and continuity of
responded to in good time? While alerts are useful, unless critical alarms are managed and responded to efficiently, they are of little use to an organisation in terms of keeping
the alert and performing a subsequent fix, the fault could escalate, and the amount of wasted food could rapidly increase. In a worst-case scenario, if the entire production
operations. The manufacturing industry, in particular, is known to be a high-risk environment as workers typically have
employees safe and ensuring machinery continues to function at an optimum level.
line must be stopped or the building must be evacuated due to safety concerns, the knock-on effect in terms of time and money
to deal with heavy-duty machinery and potentially hazardous materials. This environment can be especially dangerous for lone workers who perform their
Inadequate alarm management and poor processes can lead to several consequences for organisations. If an employee is injured on site and requires emergency assistance,
could be significant.
roles without supervision from other colleagues. Klaus Allion, Managing Director at ANT Telecom, discusses why
the time it takes to respond could be the difference between life and death and could mean the individual is left with life-changing
appropriate technology and processes, companies can effectively safeguard their operations and staff and mitigate risks as
companies must respond appropriately to critical alarms.
injuries.
much as possible.
By failing to respond appropriately to critical Organisations not only have a moral duty to ensure the safety of staff, but also a legal responsibility. By law, employers must control
alarms or failing to put measures in place to keep staff as safe as possible, companies are risking the safety of their workforce and as a
any potential risks to injury or health that could arise in the workplace by undertaking risk assessments, provide information
result, significant fines could be imposed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Not only can these fines be financially damaging,
about potential hazards and how staff are protected, as well as train employees on how to deal with the risks. With a critical alarm system in place, staff can feel confident in the knowledge that their welfare is being monitored so in the event of an incident on site, it will be acknowledged and rectified as quickly as possible. In order to make this a
the subsequent reputational damage can also be severe. Furthermore, staff may be opposed to working in the same roles until the right safety procedures are put into place, putting additional strain on the organisation.
reality, businesses must therefore ensure that the workforce fully understands the critical alarm response processes that are in place so that when an alarm is activated, they are fully prepared to act swiftly and appropriately.
money if machine alerts are not dealt with in a timely manner. For example, an alarm on a food production line could be alerting to faulty temperature regulation. If the alarm is responded to and resolved efficiently, the quantity of spoiled produce could be minimal.
But what are the risks if a critical alert is not
However, if there is a delay in acknowledging
There is also a likelihood that organisations will be faced with wasted time, product and
In any high-risk environment, incidents will occur but by deploying a combination of
About the author
Klaus Allion is Managing Director at ANT Telecom, a bespoke telecommunications provider based in High Wycombe, UK. He has over 25 years’ experience working in the telecommunication industry including roles as Divisional Manager at Bosch Telecom UK and Sales & Marketing Director at ASC.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
36 Automation
An EMC-compliant drive assembly with efficient control cabinet and suppression system is the basis for ensuring safe and reliable operation of machines
and sets out the general EMC requirements for use either in a public low-voltage grid or an industrial grid/network. When selecting a drive, it is sensible to check what range of accessories the drives supplier can offer. Whilst some of these accessories can be sourced from other Third Party suppliers, it is often better to deal with a supplier that can provide everything from a single source, so the items are optimised to suit their own specific drives (or even designed in-house for their drives) and therefore more likely to meet the specific requirements of your application. The operation of variable speed drives with intermediate voltage circuits can put
Suppress interference and ensure drives work smoothly and safely T
o ensure the stability and safety of drive assemblies, OEMs and
machine builders can choose from a variety of mains- or motor-side suppression accessories – or a combination of the two – to ensure drives comply with specific EMC requirements of the application. In this article, Mark Checkley of KEB Automation explains why minimising electromagnetic interference is key for
the safe and reliable operation of machines and equipment. It can also extend the life of certain components used.
drives assembly may therefore include several accessories and interference suppression components for the mainsand motor-related optimisation of operating conditions. The most common suppression components and their functions are:
- Mains suppression Some drives suppliers offer combinations of mains- and motor-side accessories that can be more closely tailored to suit the specific needs of a machine or robot
safe and reliable operation of machines. In many industrial environments, ensuring the stability of drive controllers is sometimes overlooked. However, an EMC-compliant (Electromagnetic Compatibility) drive assembly with efficient control cabinet and suppression system is the basis for ensuring
stress on the mains and motor, which can be optimised using additional measures, depending on the place of use and the type of application. An EMC-compliant
limits (for emissions) and requirements (for fault-free operation) set out in the relevant European and International standards and regulations. Utilising some components can lead to additional advantages besides compliance.
Mains chokes optimise the harmonics to the mains power supply that result from the pulse-shaped charging of uncontrolled rectifiers and reduce the effective input current. This decrease in stress has the direct effect of significantly increasing the service life of the link voltage capacitors in inverters and servo drives, as well as reducing the stress on the input rectifier. By smoothing the input current draw, the lifetime of the drive and its components are enhanced, particularly at constant high utilisation. For mains chokes, it is also important to ensure sufficient installation space to take into account the higher heat emissions and a strong magnetic field. Mains EMC/harmonics filters reduce the cable-fed emission to the required limits of
Manufacturers and operators are required to implement the installed drive systems
For power drive systems (i.e. inverter and motor viewed in terms of a drive), the product standard is EN 61800-x (-x), with EN 61800-3 being the relevant EMC standard. The technical standard sets out the requirements for a specific environment.
IEC 61800-3-C1/C2. Other variants may offer low leakage currents or the operation of special mains networks. Harmonics filters reduce the low frequency mains distortion on rectifier supplied devices by a further 8 to 15%. These harmonics filters allow easy
to achieve electrical compliance with the
EN61000-6-x applies to machine builders
integration into a switchgear layout.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
Automation 37 - Motor-side accessories Motor chokes provide a cost-effective option for reducing the voltage rise rate (dv/ dt) in order to avoid the premature ageing of the coil insulation in AC motors, particularly on high speed applications. These chokes increase total inductance at output and reduce current ripples. They also reduce the peak value of the current and the stress on IGBTs in inverters. Motor chokes are also suitable for applications with long motor cables (>15m and up to 50m). Sinusoidal filters are low-pass filters that filter out the switching frequency from the pulse width modulation (PWM) – output signal of the inverter. Sinusoidal voltage with a small ripple occurs at the output, which results in a sinusoidal motor current. This is why the use of sinusoidal filters at the output is not associated with the supplementary losses in the motor’s stator and rotor, which otherwise occur with inverter use. Other motor-side accessories include sinewave filters that protect the motor winding from voltage peaks and allow the use of long motor cables; sine-wave EMC filters
Motor-side sinusoidal filters reduce supplementary losses in the motor during direct inverter operations and increase the service life of motor insulation
often result in high saturation resistance and small leakage currents, mechanically designed as ancillary filters.
on-site assistance when required. This will ensure you eliminate any expensive investments in measurement devices and
allow operation of motors with long motor cables even without screening – not just several hundred metres, but into kilometres
I/O filters integrate the functionality of the mains-side HF filter and the motor-side
training in complex standards, as well as ensuring that you have the necessary support during your development phase.
without shielding (although at these lengths it can create other issues to be aware of); and high performance ferrite cores
dv/dt filter in one compact enclosure. A portion of the input filter that is configured with high damping at minimal leakage
that reduce the values of dv/dt also in the frequency range of the bearing currents.
current, reduces conducted interference to limit value in compliance with EN 61800-3. These can be incorporated inside some
- Mains-motor combinations Some drives suppliers offer combinations of mains- and motor-side accessories that can be more closely tailored to suit the specific needs of a machine or robot. Combi-filters (EMC/output choke), for example, are space-saving combinations that provide the advantages of both, with the addition of reduced wiring, as well as consistently adapting and optimising the drive controller.
drives, saving space. Low leakage versions are also available when the application requires this.
EMC advice and compliance testing EC Directive 2004/108/EC requires all equipment manufacturers to design the installation of electrical systems in compliance with EMC legislation. In many cases, this means that individual CE-
NHF-filters combine a mains choke and HF filter in a single, compact enclosure. This means that the filter combines the advantages of the mains choke with
labelled components must be inspected for their interaction with the equipment or machine. So, it is wise to check not only if the drives supplier can offer mains- and motor-side accessories, but also whether they can provide comprehensive EMC
those of the HF filter. These combinations
advice, electrical testing services and
Typical combinations
About the author
Mark Checkley is the Sales and Marketing Manager for KEB UK Ltd. He has over 25 years’ experience within the industrial automation industry covering a wide breadth of its technology and application requirements.
www.hazardexonthenet.net
38 Event preview
Tank Storage Asia Date: 25 – 26 September 2019 Location: Singapore A leading event for the Asian bulk liquid storage industry, Tank Storage Asia makes its comeback to the Marina Bay Sands on the 25 & 26 September, with lots of exciting unique opportunities for your business. With an unparalleled line up of suppliers, brand new features and an inspiring conference programme, the event offers an end-to-end showcase of the bulk liquid industry all under one roof. Supported by Horizon Terminals, Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Stolthaven Terminals, as well as over 40 media partners, the show is widely respected and recognised by high level professionals who attend the show each year.
Experience trends and solutions first-hand from over 80+ suppliers, catch up and meet with industry peers to give you the inspiration to drive your business and career into the future. The event, which is strategically positioned at the world’s second largest storage hub in Singapore, attracts analysts, traders, investors and key players from leading storage operators. The event provides the opportunity to network, share knowledge and host business meetings. Over 80 industry-leading organisations, such as Matrix Applied Technologies, Cashco, Inc. and KHI Engineering Pte Ltd., have already signed-up to showcase their latest products and services to senior level buyers from across the region. The event will bring visitors and exhibitors together, providing a
unique opportunity for brands to generate valuable leads and drive business forward. Those attending will be able to see the latest technology from within the industry at the Innovation Zone. Situated on the show floor, the area will host a range of product demonstrations and allow visitors to explore the latest in product and service innovation. Website: https://www.easyfairs.com/tankstorage-asia-2019
2019 Conference on Process Safety and Big Data Date: 01 – 02 October 2019 Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Process Safety Excellence. The event features augmenting process safety
The 2019 Conference on Process Safety and Big Data is taking place at DECHEMA House, Frankfurt am Main, Germany on 1-2 October. The focus lies on uses of Big Data to improve Process Safety Performance and to Achieve
performance through big data, digitalisation, and robotics. It will serve as a communication platform that brings together key stakeholders from industry, academia, governmental regulatory agencies, and labour organisations, to lead the way in improving industrial process safety and
achieving process safety excellence. Process safety and big data practitioners are invited. Website: https://www.aiche.org/ccps/ conferences/european-conference-onprocess-safety-and-big-data/2019
Offshore Energy 2019 Date: 26 September 2019 Location: Coventry, UK
together the offshore energy industry sectors oil & gas, offshore wind and marine energy. More than 550 exhibitors from around the world present
Offshore Energy Exhibition and Conference (OEEC) is where the energy transition takes place. The show will see the gathering of the entire
their newest services, projects and innovative products.
offshore energy industry and your opportunity to network with highly qualified experts and professionals across global markets.
On top of this OEEC presents international trade missions, pavilions, exclusive network lounges of the OEEC member club, the Startup Zone, matchmaking areas, the Stage and networking drinks. Approximately 12,000 professionals will visit
For more than 12 years OEEC has brought
www.hazardexonthenet.net
the exhibition, take part in strategic discussions, immersive technical conference sessions focusing on the future and technical developments in the industry. Three days of networking and together shaping the future of energy. Website: https://www.offshore-energy. biz/
Data File/Buyers Guide 39 SICK ventures outdoors with world’s first safety laser scanner certified to IEC TS 62998
Hundreds of Rotork electric actuators supplied to Korean fuel cell power plant
SICK UK has announced the launch of the outdoorScan3, the first laser scanner in the world to be safety-certified for use outdoors. The outdoorScan3 Safety Laser Scanner safely and reliably monitors hazardous areas around machines and industrial vehicles outdoors with a high level of availability. The outdoorScan3 can be used in safety applications requiring certification to PLd (EN ISO 13849)/SIL2 (EN 62061) and is additionally a class D device according to IEC TS 62998, the new technical specification governing outdoor use.
Rotork linear actuators have been selected to control the flow of hydrogen gas at a fuel cell power plant in South Korea. More than 90 CVL linear electric actuators and 184 ExMax quarterturn electric actuators are to be installed on US fuel cell technology company Doosan Fuel Cell’s project at a Hanhwa Total Co. Ltd plant in Daesan. The actuators will operate globe and ball valves which control the flow of hydrogen gas in fuel cells at the site. Each fuel cell will include two CVL actuators and four ExMax actuators.
For more information please visit www.sick.co.uk or contact Andrea Hornby on 01727 831121 or email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.
For further information please contact: www.rotork.com Telephone: +44 (0) 1225 733492 Email: Sarah.Kellett@rotork.com
NEW! iWAP XN3 universal wireless enclosure system
Intrinsically safe humidity and temperature sensor for gas explosion hazard areas
The new iWAP XN3 is a safe, reliable way to use the latest wireless technologies in ATEX, IECEx, and North American Zone 2 and Division 2 hazardous areas. Fully certified: ATEX and IECEx Zone 2 and 22, cMETus Class I, II Division 2 and Zone 2 Universal system: Use any wireless technology including Wi-Fi access points, UHF RFID readers, LTE routers, IoT gateways including LoRa and more Optimised features: Building on the success of the market-leading iWAP107 Zone 1 universal enclosure system, the iWAP XN3 is a practical and cost-effective way to deliver strong performance.
The new intrinsically safe EE100Ex from E+E Elektronik is certified according to the European ATEX directive 2014/34/EU and the international IECEx standards for use in gas explosion hazard areas up to Zone 1. The humidity and temperature sensor offers high measuring accuracy and is dedicated for demanding climate and process control. The EE100Ex complies with temperature class T4 for intrinsically safe equipment and can be mounted directly in hazardous area. The sensor is suitable for various applications such as utility tunnels, hazardous storage rooms or in the pharmaceutical industry.
Enable your digital transformation – contact Extronics today! info@extronics.com | +44 (0)845 277 5000
Contact information: E+E Elektronik +43 (0) 7235 605-0 www.epluse.com
Heaters
Buyers Guide
Cable Glands
X TE
A
SAFE TALK ST-1
EX MOBILE APPLICATION:
CAMERA:
3G/4G Android 6.0
SIZE:
127 X 63 X 27 MM
5MP Rear Camera
WEIGHT:
`
<200 gms
SPECIFICATION: • • • •
Ex ib IIC Gb T3 tb IIIB Db IP67
FCG Flameproof Control Gears P Ltd.
..Safety First.. Training
Cable Glands
contact
PROTECTION:
8GB Internal 32 GB Expandable -20 0 C to +60 0 C Amb. Temp. 1000 mAH battery
Mumbai, India +91 22 2366 3200 RP@fcg-india.com www.fcg-india.com
To advertise in the Product Datafiles or Buyers Guide Kathryn Startin on
+44 (0)1732 359990 or
kathryn.startin@imlgroup.co.uk
Control Panels
AUTOMATION CONTROL & TECHNOLOGY Your Total Solutions Provider Specialists in design and custom build of a wide range of Hazardous Area Equipment
Registered OEM for Technor Marechal Southampton SO40 9AH +44 (0) 2380 665544 enquiries@trant.co.uk trant.co.uk
PROTECTA X The Next Generation in Hazardous Area LED Lighting
Revolutionary Design Longest Life • Highest Output 120,000 hrs+ Lifespan • Market-Leading Efficacy Optimised Optical Design • Innovative Battery Stick Performance of a 4ft linear in a Slimline Compact Package
#XSeriesLED Be prepared to break the linear mould.
Follow us
www.XSeriesLED.com