hEX_20_03

hazardexonthenet.net

Offshore safety UK HSE offshore safety report Food & beverage Selecting motors and drives for explosive atmospheres Cabling

Nuclear

Process Safety

The benefits of an effective cable gland strategy

Robotic technology for nuclear decommissioning

Key lessons from incidents during start-up operations

March 2020

the journal for hazardous area environments

cortemgroup.com

contents March 2020 Since taking over as Editor of Hazardex, I have made a conscious effort to seek out the latest developments regarding hazardous area-related research being conducted at universities and organisations around the world. The topics covered so far have included some innovative technologies and studies such as a sponge that can help remove oil spills from water, a new and sustainable use for nuclear waste, pipeline corrosion detection inspired by bats, and cryogenically freezing batteries for safer transport, to name just a few.

While many of the projects are in the very early stages of development, and may not find their way into industry for many more years (if at all), I still feel it is important to bring attention to the latest research and studies. Cost and reliability are often two reasons why such projects may never develop into viable technologies that see widespread adoption in industry. To overcome these roadblocks, it is essential that partnerships between industry and research organisations are developed. These collaborations

14 22

give projects much needed financial and technological support and ease the process of developing research into viable solutions.

Academic-industrial groups are also important ways of alleviating the skills gap as they are opportunities to support and develop the next generation of engineering talent. Furthermore, with industry actively seeking out and supporting innovative research, adopting the next wave of disruptive technologies is made easier. As shown by our quarterly PPTex supplement, there is an ever-growing demand for the latest, innovative safety technology, much of which originates from academic research. By increasing awareness, the next generation of engineering talent and technology could arrive sooner than expected.

If you know of any academic research, groups, or emerging that you feel deserves coverage, please get in touch and let me know. …Alistair Hookway, Editor, Hazardex alistair.hookway@imlgroup.co.uk

The UK HSE’s Offshore Statistics & Regulatory Activity Report for 2018 shows a continued trend of improving safety

14 29

Correctly dimensioning a motor and VSD combination is critical, as getting this wrong can compromise explosion protection measures

in this issue

32

4 News Extra & Standards

• German government plans to exit coal industry by 2038 • Industrial safety market worth $3bn in 2018, over $5.4bn by 2025 • Rolls-Royce to install modular nuclear reactors in UK by 2029 • Three dead, seven injured in chemical factory blast in Spain • President Trump unveils plans to simplify permit process for major projects

21 Standards: Brexit got done

The use of industrial robotics in the nuclear sector has now become almost commonplace

22 UK HSE offshore safety report for 2018 26 The benefits of an effective cable gland strategy

36

29 Selecting motors and drives for explosive atmospheres 32 Robotic technology for nuclear decommissioning 34 High-speed fire footage reveals key insights for power plant safety 36 Key lessons from incidents during start-up operations

30 36

the journal for hazardous area environments

hazardexonthenet.net

March 2020

38 Event previews

The ISC believes that leadership across six key functional elements is vital to achieve good process safety outcomes

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 Alistair Hookway alistair.hookway@imlgroup.co.uk

Group Publisher Russell Goater russell.goater@imlgroup.co.uk

Sales Executive Kathryn Startin kathryn.startin@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: hazardex@imlgroup.co.uk ISSN 1476-7376

Production and Events Holly Reed holly.reed@imlgroup.co.uk

Design Graham Rich Design www.grahamrichdesign.co.uk

40 Offshore safety UK HSE offshore safety report Food & beverage Selecting motors and drives for explosive atmospheres Cabling

Nuclear

Process Safety

The benefits of an effective cable gland strategy

Robotic technology for nuclear decommissioning

Key lessons from incidents during start-up operations

Register for weekly email newsletter & up-to-the-minute news at www.hazardexonthenet.net

4

News Extra

Uniper’s Staudinger power plant - Image: Wikimedia

German government plans to exit coal industry by 2038 G

ermany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on January 29 that the

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz.

could qualify for government compensation of around €365 million if it is able to succeed

government is backing plans to stop using coal as an energy source by 2038.

The move is part of the ruling coalition’s

A draft law approved by the cabinet to phase out coal-fired power stations would see maximum compensation of €165,000 per

in planned auctions that will allocate closure permits to the least expensive bidders, Reuters says.

efforts to protect the climate and move towards renewable energy sources.

megawatt in 2020, falling to €155,000 in 2021 and 2022. The maximum sum would then drop annually 25%, reaching €49,000 in 2026, before compensation is stopped.

Uniper’s decision does not affect its Datteln 4 plant, a new €1.5 billion coal-fired power plant set to go online in 2020. The government has

Reuters reports that in response to the government’s announcement, Uniper said

said that former coal sites should be used for new facilities such as gas-fired combined heat and power plants. Uniper intends to develop

The move would see Germany opt for renewable sources such as wind and solar power while exiting nuclear power by 2022 and coal-fuelled power sources by 2038, according to Reuters.

its own sites to preserve jobs.

Following the announcement, Environment

that it intends to shut down most of its hard coal-fuelled power plants by 2025. The German utility, formed in 2016 following the

Minister Svenja Schulze said: “This is not just an exit from coal, it’s an entry into renewable energy. We will cut a quarter of

separation of E.ON’s fossil fuel assets into a separate company, announced its plans on January 30.

political repercussions for Chancellor Merkel’s ruling coalition. Recent record-breaking hot summers combined with an increased focus

The energy company plans to shut down around 1.5 gigawatts of capacity by 2022 and

on climate change and the prominence of climate activists such as Greta Thunberg, has seen public opinion go against the use of coal

all CO2 emissions in Germany – that is a very important sign, internationally too, that Germany is taking its responsibility here.”

The German government introduced a significant climate change package in 2019 and aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 55% of its 1990 level by 2030. The exit from coal is expected to mean large investments in renewable energy.

a further 1.4 gigawatts by 2025, which will account for around half of its European coal capacity.

“We’re setting Uniper on a decisive course for the future: our actions will provide planning security to our employees at the facilities affected and give our company the financial

Germany’s exit from coal is likely to come with

as an energy source. Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has looked to increase its popularity in the coal mining regions of east Germany with its simple message that jobs are more important than the environment.

The closure of coal plants will begin with the

The government has already agreed compensation schemes for workers, companies and regional governments that are set to be impacted by the closure of coal plants. This includes a €40 billion (£33.9 billion) deal with coal-mining regions to ensure

and structural flexibility to focus on important, sustainable projects,” CEO Andreas Schierenbeck said.

Uniper said that its planned closures would see its carbon emissions cut by around 18

country’s oldest plants, some of which date back to the 1950s. The government’s plan will also see the country exit brown coal, or lignite, of which Germany is the world’s largest producer. Brown coal generates around 19% of the country’s electricity but is considered

“structural change succeeds”, according to

million metric tonnes per year. The company

the most polluting type of coal.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

News Extra Representative image: Shutterstock

5

industries are already facing a AUS$1 billion (US$687 million/£536 million) hit from the fires.

In a statement, BHP said that its machines were operating more slowly as a result of smoke and dust in the air and poor visibility.

The statement also said many workers had to take leave to protect their properties and help in the fight against the bushfires.

Australian bushfires slow coal production

A

ustralia’s largest mining company, BHP Group, has said that the poor

air quality caused by the country’s bushfires in recent months has impacted coal production in the country. The mining giant said that smoke and dust had reduced air quality at its coal mines in New South Wales (NSW) so much that operations may be constrained further in the second half of 2020.

Australia has been experiencing a particularly

long bushfire season that has seen blazes across the south-east of the country that have

BHP added that production of the company’s electricity-generating coal at one of its largest mines, the Mount Arthur site around 150 miles north of Sydney, was down by 11%. The company said, “We are monitoring the situation,

killed at least 30 people, destroyed over 2,500 homes, and burnt 11 million hectares of land as of January. The fires have been intensified

and if air quality continues to deteriorate, then operations could be constrained further in the second half of the year.”

by record high temperatures and a drought which have been linked to climate change.

Despite storms and heavy rainfalls, at the time of writing there are still more than 80 fires

While the bushfires are one reason for the slowdown in coal production, BHP said it was also a result of mining higher-quality products.

The company is investigating options to

burning in NSW and Victoria. Reuters reports that both Australia’s tourism and insurance

reduce its climate impact, but coal will remain a key part of its energy production mix.

The Bento Rodrigues dam disaster - Image: Wikimedia/Mariana, Minas Gerais

in Brazil (pictured) killed 19 people in November 2015 after an iron ore containment dam failed and released 60 million cubic metres of iron waste. GRIDArendal experts are hoping the portal will help save lives and reduce dam failures in the future. The database allows users to view detailed information on more than

First public database detailing global mine tailings dams launched

A

global database, the first of its type to be made publicly accessible, has been launched which details information about mine tailings storage facilities with the aim of helping to prevent fatal disasters from occurring.

The Global Tailings Portal developed by

1,700 tailings dams around the world, categorised by location, company, dam type, height, volume, and risk, among other factors.

The release of the Global Tailings Portal on

led by the Church of England Pensions Board and the Swedish National Pension Funds’ Council on Ethics, with support from the UN Environment Programme.

Until the launch of the database, there had been no central portal that detailed the location and quantity of the mining industry’s

GRID-Arendal, a Norwegian foundation that works closely with the United Nations Environment Programme, uses previously unreleased data to offer a view into the global mining industry’s waste storage practices.

The portal was created as part of the Investor

liquid and solid waste, known as tailings. The waste is typically stored in embankments called tailings dams, which have periodically failed with devastating consequences for communities, wildlife and ecosystems.

Mining and Tailings Safety Initiative, which is

The Bento Rodrigues dam disaster

January 25 coincided with the one-year anniversary of the tailings dam collapse in Brumadinho, Brazil, that killed 270 people. After that disaster, a group of institutional investors led by the Church of England Pensions Board asked 726 of the world’s largest mining companies to disclose details about their tailings dams.

Many of the companies complied, and the information they released has been incorporated into the database.

You can view the Global Tailings Portal at http://tailing.grida.no/

www.hazardexonthenet.net

6

News Extra

Image: Shutterstock

Industrial safety market worth $3bn in 2018, over $5.4bn by 2025 A

new report released by Zion Market Research says the global industrial

standards globally, especially in developing countries, is also opening new growth

other accessory devices. Programmable safety systems accounted for a significant

safety market was worth around $3.04 billion in 2018 and will rise to around $5.41 billion by 2025, with a compound

avenues for the market’s key companies, which includes Honeywell, ABB, Schneider, Rockwell, Emerson, Yokogawa, HIMA, GE,

share of the market in 2018 and was also the fastest growing segment.

annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% in the period 2019-2025.

Siemens, Omron, Johnson Controls, Proserv Ingenious Simplicity, Euchner, Balluff, and Fortress Interlocks.

The report examined end-use industries including oil and gas, food and beverage, water and wastewater, pharmaceuticals, power

On the other hand, the significant initial investment required to install industrial safety

generation, chemicals, mining, and others.

In 2018, power generation was the largest segment in the global industrial safety market.

The report suggests that increasing demand for safety systems, stringent requirements for the energy and oil & gas sectors, the rising number of regulatory obligations, accelerating use of automation in hazardous industrial areas, and technological acceleration due to Industry 4.0 are all contributors to the market’s continued growth. Industrial safety refers to the management of various events and operations within an industry/factory, to ensure employee safety and asset protection

systems may partially restrict market growth.

by minimising accidents, risks, hazards, and losses.

and Emergency Shutdown (ESD) systems.

The report took into consideration five types of safety systems, including Burner Management Systems (BMS), Fire & Gas Monitoring and Control systems, High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS), Turbomachinery Control (TMC),

In geographic terms, Europe dominated the market in 2018. This is most likely due to stringent regulatory standards and safety directives that are adopted by European governments. North America was the second largest global market in 2018.

A further key factor in the market’s development is the growing use of industrial safety systems by governments worldwide.

In terms of components that were considered, the report looked at safety sensors, emergency devices, safety relays/ modules/controllers, programmable safety

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing market in the coming years, mainly due to the growth of urbanisation and industrialisation in the emerging economies of India and China, two countries which are already key producers and consumers of

The increased acceptance of safety

systems, safety valves, safety switches, and

industrial safety technology.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

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8

News Extra

for around 75% of the country’s electricity consumption.

Fessenheim nuclear power plant - Image: Wikimedia/Florival fr

In October, French Environment Minister Elisabeth Borne said that the country had yet to decide whether to build any new nuclear reactors and could yet pursue a long-term strategy of 100% renewable energy. This followed the CEO of EDF, Jean-Bernard Lévy,

the document added. The consultation

claiming in an interview with Le Monde that the country would go ahead with the construction of new reactors. Lévy said the government had sent a letter to EDF asking the company to prepare plans for the construction of six EPR nuclear reactors over the next 15 years.

document has shown that France could shut its next two nuclear reactors in 2025-2026, much sooner than the

document is a sign that France is ready to push ahead with its plans to close 14 nuclear reactors by 2035 which starts this

However, Borne said EDF did not determine French energy policy and pointed to France’s

expected 2027-2028 closure date.

Reuters reports that the document said if market conditions relating to electricity prices and the evolution of European electricity are met, then the

year with the closure of the country’s two oldest reactors at Fessenheim. The plans will see the closure of two reactors at each of EDF’s Blayais, Bugey, Chinon, Cruas, Dampierre, Gravelines and Tricastin power

previously announced policy of reducing nuclear power to 50% of the electricity mix by 2035 and increasing the contribution of renewables. One of the new EPR nuclear reactors, Flamanville 3, has been plagued by

next closures would be brought forward.

plants.

A final decision on whether to close the

EDF operates all of nuclear-dependent

delays, technical problems and cost overruns.

It is now expected to start operating in 2023, more than a decade behind schedule and

next two reactors would be made in 2023,

France’s 58 nuclear reactors, which account

having cost four times the original estimate.

France may close next two nuclear reactors earlier than expected

A

French government consultation

Photo: Øyvind Hagen / StatoilHydro

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Artist’s impression of an SMR - Image: Rolls-Royce

News Extra

9

Rolls-Royce to install modular nuclear reactors in UK by 2029 R

olls-Royce is planning to install and operate its small modular reactor

Rolls-Royce, Assystem, SNC Lavalin/Atkins, Wood, Arup, Laing O’Rourke, BAM Nuttall,

billion more than estimated, raising the total cost of the project to around £22 billion.

(SMR) programme in the UK by 2029.

The manufacturer told the BBC that its plan is to build between 10-15 SMRs

Siemens, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and Nuclear AMRC.

on former nuclear sites in Cumbria and Wales by the end of the decade.

Rolls-Royce’s announcement comes as a boost to the UK nuclear industry which has struggled to compete with renewables

parts, and robotic assembly to build SMRs in parts before shipping them to a site for construction. In order to overcome cost

The SMRs would be around 1.5 acres in size, much smaller and cheaper than nuclear power stations such as Hinkley Point C. In July 2019, the UK government announced that it would commit £18 million ($22.4 million) in initial funding to support the development of the Rolls-Royce-led SMR programme. The consortium comprises

in terms of both cost and capacity. SMRs are seen as a cheaper alternative to major nuclear power stations as they can be mass manufactured and delivered in parts, meaning costs are more predictable. In September 2019, EDF announced that the construction of Hinkley Point C in southwestern England would cost an extra £2.9

barriers, Rolls-Royce hopes to also sell its SMRs abroad.

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The BBC reports that Rolls-Royce will use digital welding methods, prefabricated

The size of SMRs means that theoretically, every town could have its own reactor and because they will be built on pre-existing nuclear power plant sites, security issues can be avoided.

10 News Extra

T

and doors shut. Over 20 fire trucks, 11 emergency service vehicles, and a helicopter

One person died at the scene of the

The man killed by debris 3km away lived on the Plaça García Lorca housing estate in Torreforta. Local residents said they saw

explosion, while another died from their injuries a day later. Both were workers at the factory belonging to Industrias Quimicas del Oxido de Etileno (IQOXE). Local authorities described the incident as a “chemical accident”.

a “ball of fire” flying across the sky before landing on an apartment. Firefighters later confirmed that the debris was a metal plate from the IQOXE factory and weighed around one tonne.

A fire erupted following the blast with black smoke billowing from the factory in Catalonia, before firefighters were able to contain the

One person who was initially missing was found dead the next day after a search and rescue effort had been called off overnight

blaze. Two of the injured are in a critical condition having suffered severe burns.

due to poor visibility and dangerous conditions.

Although authorities said the explosion was caused by a chemical accident, they added

IQOXE, a subsidiary of CL Grupo Industrial, is a petrochemical company specialising in

that no toxic gases had been released into the atmosphere. Shortly following the incident, the civil defence agency had advised

the production of ethylene oxide, glycols and ethylene oxide derivatives. CL Grupo Industrial operates in the consumer goods, energy, and

locals to stay indoors and keep windows

industrial sectors.

hree people were killed and seven injured after an explosion at a

Representative image: Shutterstock

chemical factory in Tarragona, Spain on January 14. One person was killed after a large piece of metal was launched into the air by the blast, landing on an apartment 3km (two miles) away.

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News Extra 11

equipment, at a private terminal at Samara in southern central Russia.

Transneft storage facility - Image: Shuttestock

According to Reuters, state-owned Transneft, which operates the Druzhba pipeline, had put aside 23 billion roubles ($371 million) for compensation after saying it would pay no more than $15 per barrel. However, Reuters’ sources suggest that on average, claims from buyers stand at around $30-$40 per barrel, almost $1 billion in total.

Russian pipeline company faces claims of up to $1bn for polluted oil

I

ndustry sources have told Reuters news

agency that the Russian oil pipeline operator Transneft is facing claims of up to $1 billion relating to the contamination of around five million tonnes of oil in April 2019.

deterioration in the quality of Russian oil

In June 2019, buyers such as BP, Shell, Total, Eni, and PKN Orlen agreed to put their claims to Russian suppliers, while Transneft said it would pay for the majority of the contamination-related costs. Russian exporters such as Rosneft would then forward

running through the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies oil to Belarusian refineries and provides its transit to Europe via Belarus, Poland and Ukraine.

claims of compensation onto Transneft.

The incident last year was discovered after the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and

The oil is said to have been contaminated with high levels of organic chlorides, substances used in oil production to boost output

has already agreed to pay $15 for every contaminated barrel of oil to Kazakhstan and has also made an agreement with Hungary’s

Chemistry, Belneftekhim, reported a sharp

but which are highly corrosive to refining

MOL.

In November 2019, Rosneft confirmed that it had still been receiving claims for compensation from customers. Transneft

12 News Extra

Image: Shutterstock

President Trump unveils plans to simplify permit process for major projects O

n January 9, the Trump administration announced plans

new rule under NEPA to completely overhaul the dysfunctional bureaucratic system that

A further change that the Trump administration has proposed is the widening

to accelerate permitting for major infrastructure projects in one of the largest deregulatory moves under the

has created these massive obstructions.” The NEPA update is another step in President Trump’s efforts to remove regulations in order

of categories for projects that can be excluded from NEPA. If a type of project has received a “categorical exclusion” from

President’s leadership. Released by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the plan would allow

to give a boost to the energy industry.

The ruling will undergo a 60-day period

a federal agency in the past, then it would be excluded from review by other agencies under the President’s proposal.

several large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, such as the Keystone XL pipeline, to avoid legal

of public comment before being finalised.

According to Reuters, the proposal would place a single federal agency in charge of

The CEQ says that the average length of an Environmental Impact Statement for a major

challenges and go ahead with little pushback during the approval process.

the project review process, rather than giving multiple agencies oversight of the process.

The rule would also set a two-year deadline for environmental impact studies to be completed and a one-year deadline for less rigorous environmental assessments.

The proposed update to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) – a 50-year old federal environmental law which President Trump and industry groups have criticised numerous times in the past – would mean

project is around 600 pages long and takes around four and a half years to complete – a process which President Trump says takes too long and is a sign of “big government at its absolute worst.”

Previous moves by the Trump administration

Environmental groups have said that the proposed change to NEPA would remove

During a press conference at the White House, President Trump said, “For the first

to cut regulatory red tape have often been met with lawsuits that the administration has largely lost in court. Over previous years, federal courts have ruled that NEPA requires federal governments to consider the carbon footprints of projects when deciding whether

the first line of defence for local communities that suffer from the impacts of poorly reviewed and designed projects. Once the 60-day period of public comment is over, environmental groups are expected to challenge the Trump administration’s final

time in over 40 years today we are issuing a

to lease lands for drilling or building pipelines.

proposal in court.

that federal agencies would not have to factor in the “cumulative impacts” of a project, including its impact on climate change.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

News Extra 13

that could have warned the crew about the impending blowout were turned off, and the

Representative image: Shutterstock

rig’s crew overlooked signs that large amounts of gas were pushing into the well.

US jury awards $20 million after finding companies responsible for 2018 explosion

Red Mountain said some of the safety board’s findings were inconsistent with the data it had provided. Patterson-UTI Drilling also said it did not agree with all of the findings in the report.

n January 28, a jury awarded two families $10 million each in damages after finding four companies responsible for the deaths of five men in

the explosion, which the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) said was the deadliest drilling accident since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion. In June 2019, a CSB investigation

The jury’s decision on January 28 is one of the largest verdicts in Oklahoma history. The jury found Red Mountain Energy, Crescent Consulting, Patterson UTI, and National Oilwell Varco (NOV) responsible for the

a January 2018 drilling rig explosion in Quinton, Oklahoma.

into the Oklahoma explosion concluded that the incident could have been avoided if federal safety regulators, state oil and gas authorities,

deaths of the five men, with the families of Josh Ray and Cody Risk being awarded $10 million each.

The explosion occurred on January 22, 2018, as a crew employed by drilling contractor Patterson-UTI Energy was drilling a gas well for the producer Red Mountain Energy. The crew was removing pipe from

and the energy industry had closed regulatory gaps and set tougher safety standards. The five fatalities were trapped in a control room with poorly designed exits and were blocked in by the fire, the report said.

The jury decided that Red Mountain Energy and Crescent Consulting were 60% responsible for the deaths of each man, with Patterson-UTI 30% responsible and

The investigation added that tougher oversight could have prevented a series of

NOV 10% responsible. The $20 million will be divided between the four companies by the percentages of fault that were

lapses leading up to the rig explosion, alarms

determined in court.

O

the well when gas began escaping to the surface and ignited.

22 workers were on the site at the time of

14 News Extra of the injured died in hospital as a result of severe burns. The death toll may

Representative image: Shutterstock

increase still, with several people still in critical conditions in hospital.

The tanker, which was carrying around 10,000 litres of liquefied gas, exploded as it approached an intersection in Lima’s Villa El Salvador district. The explosion is thought to have been caused when a fuel hose became detached from the tanker as it passed over a bump in the road.

Local authorities are investigating

30 dead after tanker blast in Peru

A

gas tanker explosion killed 30 people in Lima, Peru on January 24. Peru’s Health Ministry said around 50 people were initially injured by the

where the blast occurred were damaged or destroyed and nearby vehicles were incinerated. Peru’s housing ministry said that it would demolish and rebuild six homes in

blast which caused a fire that engulfed several nearby buildings.

the area, and repair 14 damaged buildings.

Many buildings surrounding the intersection

the blast and whether the tanker had the correct safeguards in place for transporting flammable materials.

Investigators are also looking at whether staff from Transgas, the tanker’s owner, are adequately trained to handle such events.

The initial death toll of 14 rose to 30 in

The tanker’s driver, who managed to survive the blast, has since been handed over to authorities as the investigation

the weeks following the blast after 16

into the incident continues.

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News Extra 17

Representative image: Shutterstock

US factory explosion kills two T

wo people were killed on January 24 after an explosion at a manufacturing company in Houston, Texas. Buildings up to half a mile away were damaged

gas, however Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said this was unconfirmed and that the investigation could take several days, weeks, or months. Propylene is a

Around 20 people from the surrounding area were taken to hospital for minor injuries as a result of shattered doors and windows. Temporary shelters

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were set up to accommodate those whose houses were destroyed. Officials said that the death toll and number of

The explosion happened at Watson Grinding

Following the blast, a hazardous materials team monitored the site’s air quality after

injured could have been much higher had the explosion occurred later in the day when more employees would have

and Manufacturing where two employees died. A multi-agency investigation is underway to find the cause of the blast and

firefighters found propylene gas leaking from a tank at the facility shortly after they arrived. The leak was stopped while several

been at the factory.

will focus on whether any regulatory violations were committed. Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said that in addition to the factory being

small fires were left to burn themselves out.

Debris from the explosion was spread up

fire department is gathering information regarding Watson Grinding and Manufacturing’s chemical inventory at

destroyed, 214 homes were damaged and around 50 were completely destroyed.

to a mile away from the factory. Police are seeking help from local residents to conduct a search for human remains and pieces of debris that could help in the investigation.

the site. The company, which provides machining, grinding, lapping and thermal spray coatings, is working with officials to determine the cause of the explosion.

20 miles away.

Pena said early indications were that the blast was caused by a leak of propylene

As part of the ongoing investigation, the

Texas oil well explosion kills three, injures one

A

n explosion at an oil well killed

to Chesapeake Energy, workover

The well blowout occurred around

three contractors and inured one person in the US on January 29. One of the workers died at the scene while two others died in hospital in the following days having

operations and maintenance were being conducted on the well when the blast occurred.

15:30 on January 29 causing a fire to erupt which burnt through the night until firefighters were able to put it out the following day.

suffered severe burns.

receiving treatment after being airlifted in the aftermath of the blast. Air monitoring equipment was installed once the fire had been put out, however local authorities said there was no risk to the public.

The well, owned by Chesapeake Energy Corporation, is located in Burleson County, around 100 miles (160km) northwest of Houston. According

One contractor remains in hospital Following the blast, the family of one of the deceased opened a wrongful death lawsuit seeking around $1 million from Chesapeake Energy, Forbes Energy Services, Eagle Pressure Control and Halliburton Co.

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News Extra 19

Hydrogen filling station - Image: Jóhann Heiðar Árnason/Wikimedia

this golden area from a matrix solution as a basis for a metal-organic framework consisting of zinc molecules and particular organic compounds.

“This frame is extremely sensitive to hydrogen, since it captures its molecules from the air. Moreover, it is inert to other gases. Such sensors are comparable to a stationary chromatograph that is ten times more expensive and requires qualified personnel. For now, we have managed to achieve sensitivity and detection limit below 2%. In other words, our sensor can detect hydrogen in the air at a concentration below 2%, while the lower explosive threshold of a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is about 4%,” Pavel Postnikov said.

Researchers propose hydrogen alarm for remote hydrogen leak detection R

esearchers have suggested new sensors could act as the basis for a

“hydrogen alarm” that can detect leaks of explosive hydrogen from hundreds of metres away. Tomsk Polytechnic

“Therefore, it is necessary to detect hydrogen molecules in a gas mixture.

The main advantages of the sensor embrace simplicity, sensitivity, and an option for quick remote diagnostics.

“Another important feature is the sensor resistance to oxidising gases, for instance, carbon dioxide, and various oxides. It is a problem for the modern sensors since these gases interfere with the sorption of hydrogen. Our sensor can easily work in the open air full of such gases,” Pavel

Currently, there are various methods, including electronic sensors, although they are a potential source of spark. In this

Postnikov added.

University and University of Chemistry and Technology of Prague researchers have proposed the new sensors which

respect, we turned our attention to optical fibre. This is a simple and commercially available material. In addition, a sensor can

and increased use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). Although seen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels for vehicles, the majority of hydrogen used in hydrogen FCVs is currently produced by steam methane reforming, a process which emits carbon dioxide.

According to the research published in the journal ACS Sensors, the sensors are reusable and resistant to oxidizer gases which are harmful to traditional sensors with electronic components. Hydrogen is seen

be operated remotely, since optical fibre provides rapid and easy information transfer over long distances. The sensor can be installed in the engine of a hydrogenpowered machine or refuelling station,” said Pavel Postnikov, one of the authors and Associate Professor of the TPU Research School of Chemistry & Applied Biomedical Sciences.

as a promising alternative energy source with many advantages such as its pollutantfree emissions, the abundance of hydrogen from several different sources including garbage, and its rapid refuelling capabilities

Optical fibre is a thin filament of optically transparent material, e.g. glass or plastic, capable of transmitting digital information in the form of a light pulse. The researchers

point. Opposition to hydrogen stations has been growing in certain parts of the world due to explosions. For example, in May 2019 a hydrogen tank explosion killed two people and injured six at an industrial park

modified them by removing a fragment of the fibre sheath and applying a fine layer of gold onto this place through magnetron sputtering. On the surface of this golden area, the effect of surface plasmon resonance arises. It is the source of the analytical signal. The researchers used

in the city of Gangneung, 240 kilometres east of Seoul, South Korea. A preliminary investigation found the blast was caused by a spark after oxygen found its way into the tank. One month later, there was also an explosion at a hydrogen refuelling station in Norway.

are based on widely available optical fibre and ensure accurate detection of hydrogen molecules in the air.

compared to electric vehicles.

However, its application as an energy carrier is complicated due to its highly explosive nature when mixed with oxygen. These dangerous situations may arise in the case of hydrogen leaks from the tank where it is stored.

The sensors could help in the development

Furthermore, the building of refuelling infrastructure for FCVs is expensive with each hydrogen filling facility costing many times more than an electricity charging

www.hazardexonthenet.net

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Monitoring the world

Standards 21

Brexit got done Economic Area (EEA comprising EU plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) to have

it may come clearer as to the expected outcome, so there is not necessarily

Notified Bodies. Note that this does not include Switzerland which has several very specific agreements with the EU, but remains outside the EEA, even though it is in the common Schengen travel area. I understand that although there is border

any need to take immediate action, but beware that if transfer becomes necessary and if many certificates still remain to be transferred, there will be logistic problems in achieving the necessary transfers at short notice by

free travel for people, some goods are subject to inspection and duties.

the deadline.

Switzerland has more than one Notified Every two months, SGS Baseefa Technical Manager Ron Sinclair MBE gives his perspective on the latest developments in the world of standards.

I

n the first week of February I attended the annual meeting of

the European Notified Bodies Group for the ATEX Directive (ExNB).

It is not up to the UK Notified Bodies to tell their customers what to do, only to put the

Body for ATEX, as does Turkey, which also has some specific agreements.

The EU might actually dispute the use of the term Notified Body in that way,

facts before them as they emerge.

but effectively that represents the effect of the agreements, as documents from those bodies are accepted as if they were

deadline that has just passed, the fall back scenario is that you will require certification from an EU Notified Body

actually EU Notified Bodies.

Based on information the UK government made available before the January 31

This was after the UK had officially left

Most people operating in our sector would hope that the UK can negotiate a deal that

(typically the one where your certificates have been transferred) to apply the CE Marking and that you will need that CE Marking for sale in the UK as well as the

the EU but, of course, nothing has actually changed. UK Notified Bodies are still recognised in the EU; our EU-Type

will be similar to Switzerland or Turkey.

As a fall back, it should also be noted that Canada has negotiated the right to

rest of Europe. We believe that the draft legislation, that was prepared to replace the ATEX Directive in the UK, is likely to

Examination Certificates remain fully valid and support manufacturers’ CE declarations and markings. In fact, all that

appoint EU Notified Body equivalents under the CETA provisions, although none have yet been appointed.

be passed. We were told this would be passed on the day of exiting but have heard nothing since February 1. The main

has happened, as far as manufacturers and users of ATEX equipment are concerned, is that “the can has been

How the negotiations will actually proceed, between now and the end of

provision is that all existing UK based Notified Bodies immediately become UK approved bodies and can issue

kicked further down the road”. The date to be concerned about is now January 1, 2021. This “can” seems to have a life of

the year, is well beyond the powers of my crystal ball.

certificates to allow the fixing of the UKCA Mark (effectively the replacement for the CE Marking). The UKCA Mark and CE will

its own!

If the UK bodies retain their Notified Body status from January 2021 onwards, all the time and effort spent arranging the transfer of certificates to elsewhere in Europe will have been a waste of time.

However, such a transfer (and the related costs in changing labels, etc.) can be considered in the same light as paying for

both be accepted for a short time (yet to be determined), before only the UKCA mark will be acceptable in the UK.

So, what happens in the meantime?

All UK Notified Bodies have made arrangements to allow their customers to transfer existing documents (primarily EUType Examination certificates and QANs) to their partner Notified Body operating from another EU country. Whether that will actually be necessary depends on the outcome of the current trade negotiations between the UK and the EU Commission.

an insurance policy: just another cost for the privilege of remaining in business!

There is certainly a precedent for countries

If, come 2021, negotiations have not achieved that outcome, the insurance money will have been well spent. As

who are not members of the European

we move towards the end of the year

About the author SGS Baseefa’s Technical Manager Ron Sinclair also has a personal contract to act as an authorised signatory on behalf of SGS Fimko, the Finnish Notified Body partnered with SGS Baseefa. He is a vice-chair of the European Notified Bodies Group for ATEX (ExNB), as well as chair of both the UK and European Standards Bodies operating in this area.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

22 Offshore safety

UK HSE offshore safety repor T

he Offshore Statistics & Regulatory Activity Report for 2018 from the

The Offshore Statistics & Regulatory Activity Report provides details of offshore

would usually make a negligible difference to the numbers.

UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has shown that most safety trends in offshore oil & gas and wind operations

injuries, dangerous occurrences and ill health reported to HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous

The RIDDOR data includes incidents occurring on offshore installations, offshore

have continued to improve. 2018 was the second consecutive year without a fatality and the longer-term rolling reportable non-fatal injury rate continues to fall on the UK Continental Shelf.

Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), and the HSE’s regulatory activity offshore during 2018. The data in this report is a frozen, validated snapshot of operational information from HSE systems, and is published as Official Statistics.

wells and activities in connection with them, offshore pipelines, pipeline works and certain activities in connection with pipeline works, and offshore diving operations.

One possible cause for concern is the rate of hydrocarbon releases (HCRs)

Wherever possible, data is based on a

The Offshore Statistics & Regulatory Activity Report does not include incidents arising from marine activities that are not directly

which stagnated in 2018, after having risen slightly in 2017. While industry continues to look for ways to curb HCRs, there is a possible risk that progress is now stalling after steady improvement year-on-year between

calendar year. Data for the most recent year is marked as provisional to allow for minor adjustments to be made when they are released as final in the subsequent annual report. This may be necessary if there are, for example, late reports or corrections. In

connected with offshore operations (e.g. vessels or rigs in transit). The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has primary responsibility for maritime safety. The report also excludes air transport activities (including transport to, from or between

2010-15.

practice, such changes are infrequent and

installations), except incidents involving

www.hazardexonthenet.net

Offshore safety 23

worker works 2000 hours annually: FTE = Total PoB Nights x 12 ÷ 2000

• Lower limb accounted for 26% of all injuries reported (28 of 106)

The assumption that a full time equivalent works 2000 hours a year is based on what other regulators do, in particular the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

• In total, injuries to limbs accounted for all 19 of the specified injuries and 71% of over-7-day injuries (62 of 87) • Slips, trips or falls on same level were the most common injury type and accounted for 25% of all injuries reported (26 of 106).

All reported injuries

rt for 2018

This was followed by handling, lifting or carrying (22%; 23 of 106) and striking against something fixed or stationary (17%; 18 of 106)

RIDDOR data for the period 2007/08 to 2012/13 is based on fiscal year (AprilMarch). Data from 2012 onwards is based on calendar year (January-December).

Dangerous occurrences

Furthermore, several changes to the reporting system and legal requirements have occurred over recent years, making comparisons difficult with previous data.

As part of the changes introduced in October 2013 following a full-scale review of RIDDOR, many defined dangerous occurrence (DO) categories changed ‘type

The key findings regarding reported injuries for 2018 are that there were a total of 106 injuries reported under RIDDOR, with a rate

number’ as well as description. In 2018, there were 235 DOs reported, compared to 217 in 2017 (and 249 in 2015); longerterm analysis of the trend in reported DOs is

of 365 injuries per 100,000 FTE and there were no fatal injuries (see Figure 1). While there have been three fatalities in the last

complicated by the above change.

five years and six in the last 10 years, 2018 was the second consecutive year without a fatality.

a third of the DOs reported under RIDDOR (41%; 96 of 235), while the number of reported wells DOs is the same as last year having previously been decreasing steadily.

Hydrocarbon releases accounted for over

Major/Specified injuries There were 19 specified injuries reported, a similar number to the previous two years.

While the number of hydrocarbon releases reported under RIDDOR increased in 2018,

The rate was 66 per 100,000 FTE workers in 2018, compared to 61 per 100,000 in 2017 and 63 per 100,000 in 2016.

the grand total was similar to last year as there was a smaller number reported under EU Offshore Directive arrangements (see Figure 3).

helicopters whilst on an offshore installation.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has

Over-3-day/Over-7-day injuries In April 2012, the legal requirement to report

Hydrocarbon releases

responsibility for aircraft flight safety.

injuries to workers resulting in more than three days absence (’over-3-day’) changed to ‘over-7-day’.

HCRs are classified as ‘Minor’, ‘Significant’, or ‘Major’ on the basis of their severity; these definitions have been agreed with the

Industry profile The UK offshore industry operates the Vantage personnel tracking system, which records the number of nights of Persons on Board (PoB). Details can be found at www.logic-oil.com/vantagepob. Using this information, it can be determined that in 2018, 4.8 million days were spent offshore.

The key points for 2018 (see Figure 2) were: • There were 87 over-7-day injuries reported, compared to 66 in 2017 • The rate was 300 injuries per 100,000 FTE workers, compared to 222 in 2017 The nature of the injuries reported in 2018

It is estimated that there was an offshore population of 29,000 full time equivalent (FTE) workers in 2018, compared to 29,700 in 2017 and 30,400 in 2016.

FTE is based on the assumption that each shift on average lasts 12 hours, and an FTE

included: • Fractures (accounted for nearly 90% of specified injuries reported (17 of 19) • Sprains and strains (accounted for 32% of over-7-day injuries reported (28 of 87) • Upper limb accounted for 50% of all injuries reported (53 of 106)

offshore industry. By combining incident and population data, estimates of the frequency of loss of containment incidents for equipment and system types can be determined.

The HCR release rate is based on the level of production in million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d) reported by OGUK; latest data is available at https:// oilandgasuk.co.uk/product/businessoutlook-report.

As a result of the new EU Commission Implementing Regulation No. 1112/2014,

www.hazardexonthenet.net

24 Offshore safety some of HSE’s voluntary notification scheme became mandatory. As such, from July 2015, some non-process HCRs were allocated severity classifications again and by July 2017 all non-process HCRs were classified.

Since the introduction of the ROGI (‘Reporting of Oil and Gas Incidents’) form, all non-process HCRs (e.g. heli fuel and diesel spills) reported under the EU Offshore Directive arrangements are classified in the same way and against the same criteria as process HCRs.

Figure 1 – All reported injuries (offshore), 2007/08 – 2018

Key points for 2018: • 16 of a total 112 HCRs were reported solely under the EU Offshore Directive arrangements, i.e. they did not meet the criteria to be reportable under RIDDOR. • The HCR release rate has fluctuated over the past 10 years but has increased slightly in each of the last two years.

• Non-process HCRs account for over 30% of HCR figures for 2016 to 2018, higher than in previous years.

• There were 4 Major HCRs during 2018, the most in a single year since 2013 (see Figure 4).

Regulatory activity

Figure 2 – Reported over-3-day/over-7-day injuries (offshore), 2007/08 – 2018

HSE’s regulatory programme for the offshore industry seeks to ensure major

take formal enforcement action to prevent harm and secure justice in line with its Enforcement Policy.

hazard and personal risks are properly managed in compliance with legislative requirements. Where appropriate, HSE will

Key regulatory activities are assessing safety cases, inspecting installations, investigating

www.hazardexonthenet.net

incidents, following up concerns, identifying non-compliance issues, and formal enforcement. Data on regulatory activity covers the last seven-year period from 2012 to 2018.

Offshore safety 25

Key points for 2018: • ED Offshore assessed 134 Safety Case Submissions; similar to the previous year. Figures have been higher since the introduction of the 2015 Safety Case Regulations.

• ED Offshore undertook 126 planned offshore inspections at 111 offshore installations, the lowest • number in the last seven years.

• ED Offshore completed 35 investigations, higher than the previous year having previously been decreasing year on year.

Figure 3 – Reported dangerous occurrences (offshores), 2007/08 - 2018

• ED Offshore followed up 22 health and safety concerns; higher than in the previous year but still much lower than at any point in the five-year period before that.

• ED Offshore identified 1257 noncompliance issues • There were 30 improvement notices and two prohibition notices issued • There was one case instituted, following a serious injury to an employee attempting to change a compressed gas cylinder. The employee was struck by the cylinder when it became a projectile following

Figure 4 – Hydrocrabon releases (offshore), 2007-2018

an instantaneous release of its contents.

To see the HSE’s full report, visit: https:// www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/statistics/ hsr2018.pdf Figure 5 – Offshore Topic Inspection Scores – Overview, 2017 and 2018

www.hazardexonthenet.net

26 Cabling

The benefits of an effective cable gla I

n this article Matt Ogden, Cable Gland Product Specialist at Hawke International discusses why it is essential for companies working in harsh and hazardous environments to develop a proper cable gland strategy and the benefits one delivers.

Cable glands are too often thought of as being commodity products, their importance undervalued by those who dismiss them as merely being bits of brass and rubber.

However, if decision-makers get their cable gland strategy wrong, the expensive equipment that glands are tasked with protecting – which can be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds – could fail. So, how do they get it right and what benefits will be delivered as result?

If a gland is not right, there is a high risk of water and dust getting into the equipment it is protecting, which can have a catastrophic effect.

than listening to recommendations from engineering departments. This means many projects end up with wrong or ineffective cable glands. If a gland is not right, there is a high risk of water and dust getting into the equipment it is protecting, which can have a catastrophic effect.

not last their full lifespan. An over tightened gland will compromise and stress a cable’s properties. This limits how well a gland offers ingress protection against dust and water penetration and presents an explosion risk. A gland that is under tightened will also allow dust and water to damage equipment, in addition to being liable to loosening, creating an electric shock risk.

With this in mind, it is important to invest in cable glands that have tightening guides integrated as standard. This gives the glands’ installer and inspector a simple visual indicator to show it has been tightened correctly to the outer diameter of the cable being fitted.

Those charged with procurement often

In addition, cable glands that are over or

Given that cables can pull away if an incident happens with a gland, it is critical to install a clamp or a cleat. It is recommended that cable clamps are installed within 300mm of the end of a cable gland. This

select equipment based on cost rather

under tightened can damage cables and

ensures that if any extreme pulling, twisting

Safeguarding against equipment damage

www.hazardexonthenet.net

Cabling 27

In addition to the costs incurred by lengthy installation times, it is also vital

installers with a usable cable gland, no matter the nature of the installation. One

to consider the threat presented by poorly installed cable glands. Expensive equipment failures will happen as a result of negligent installation practices.

gland can be purchased for both standard and barrier gland requirements, meaning major cost savings, stock flexibility and peace of mind.

Given that over the lifespan of a product, maintenance is one of the biggest expenses, all must be done to offer as much protection as possible.

Small part, big difference Hazardous environments present the most testing of conditions. Every item of

Inspection is the biggest expense when it comes to ensuring equipment is functioning

equipment – no matter how small – must successfully play its part. That includes glands, which are typically tasked with

efficiently and it must be carried out on a recurring basis. The implementation of close and detailed inspections ensures that any faults in equipment are spotted early, before

protecting extremely expensive pieces of equipment. By developing a good cable gland strategy, organisations operating in such areas are able to safeguard against

they have the chance to worsen and require more money to fix.

damage, save money on installation costs, inspection and maintenance, and provide installers with the versatility and

or tightening of a cable occurs, the clamp provides the strain-relief required so that no extra damage develops.

To inspect a gland, equipment must be powered down. However, at this point it is not doing its job and is therefore costing the

training to work efficiently. For these reasons, investing in a proper cable gland strategy must be taken seriously, with

A lack of knowledge, as well as space onsite, means that many installations

business money. Decision-makers should therefore choose cable glands that are easy and quick to inspect, limiting the costly

senior figures part of the discussion from the outset.

and strategy

do not adhere to this standard. There are, however, innovations available that should be considered as part of any

downtime that is otherwise incurred.

cable gland strategy. New space efficient clamps have been developed that can be applied within 50mm of the end of a cable gland.

Installers of hazardous area equipment want versatile products. Although standard cable glands are used more often than barrier glands, there are many situations where barrier glands are required, such as when a cable is less than three metres in length.

What often happens is that a standard gland is specified and arrives onsite, only for

Saving money The time it takes to install cable glands costs money, with every minute that an

About the author

Versatility

engineer is working onsite increasing business costs. To reduce this cost, engineers should be trained and competent in relation to the glands they are tasked with installing. By choosing a gland that comes with a full training service, engineers will be

installers to realise the installation requires a barrier gland. Any gland strategy needs to be mindful of this.

quicker when installing it.

gland with two applications. This provides

Conversion kits have been developed which give installers the ability to order one

Matt Ogden is a Cable Gland Product Specialist at Hawke International, a manufacturer of cable glands for harsh and hazardous environments.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

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01223 653500 Hazardous Area

Food & beverage 29

Selecting motors and drives for explosive atmospheres W

hen selecting variable speed drives and motors for potentially explosive atmospheres,

the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations must be followed, otherwise explosion protection

measures will be compromised. ABB’s Luciano Santos and Andrew Bould share some advice.

Throughout the food and beverage sector, variable speed drives (VSDs) and electric motors are renowned for contributing to productivity improvement and energy efficiency. However, their use needs to be very carefully considered in applications within potentially explosive atmospheres.

It is for these reasons that correctly dimensioning a motor and VSD combination is critical, as getting this wrong can

atmosphere. These atmospheres have a defined zone classification which defines the minimum safety level (category) to which the

compromise explosion protection measures.

motors must comply. The category defines the permitted motor protection types.

The key is to follow the motor manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations. For instance, the instructions are intended to prevent the motor from overheating

Motors can be classified by equipment protection level (EPL) according to the IEC/ EN standards. The EPL indicates the motor’s

or creating any sparks. Meanwhile, the accompanying VSD must never be installed within a potentially explosive atmosphere and needs to be located away from the motor, in a safe area.

inherent risk of ignition. The purpose of this classification is to make it easier to select motors for different zones. For motors, the EPL marking is included in the Ex marking, and the equipment category is included in the CE marking.

Choosing a motor and drive Selecting a motor and drive combination starts by gathering the customer’s

Classification into categories is particularly important, because all the end user’s

Flour dust, for instance, is potentially explosive and in high enough concentrations, when combined with oxygen and an ignition source, such as a hot surface or a spark, it can combust.

requirements including ambient conditions, supply voltage and frequency, motor shaft speed area, motor output load, load type and overload requirement, efficiency requirements, as well as the zone, gas/dust

inspection, maintenance and repair duties will depend on the category of the product/ equipment, not on the zone where it is installed. The following highlights examples of Ex motor protection types and methods

In enclosed areas it can have devastating results. In fact, airborne flour dust is even more explosive than coal dust. Since it is not realistic to eliminate flour dust and oxygen from a typical bakery facility, ATEX regulations instead focus on removing ignition sources.

group, temperature class and Ex protection type. Armed with this information, the correct motor type can be selected.

given in the IEC/EN standard to ensure safe operation when a motor is fed from a VSD.

Motor protection types Motors are directly connected to the load or machine within the potentially explosive

Flameproof - Protection type Ex d When using protection type Ex d with an AC drive, the motor must be tested together with the drive for the duty intended and with the

www.hazardexonthenet.net

30 Food & beverage protective device provided. Alternatively, use direct temperature protection with embedded temperature sensors and with sufficient margin to protect the bearings or the rotor.

The actions of the protective devices used must cause the motor to be disconnected.

Only external surface temperature needs to be considered for the Ex temperature class.

Increased safety “ec” (formerly “Non-sparking Ex nA”) - Protection type Ex ec With protection type Ex ec it is important that the motor is tested with the drive or a comparable drive. Alternatively, the motor’s temperature class is determined by calculation or by using direct temperature control with embedded temperature sensors. The action of the protective device must cause the motor to be disconnected.

Surface temperature of any part (inside or outside) must not exceed the Ex temperature class limit.

Dust-ignition-proof - Protection type Ex t

Each zone classification defines the permitted motor protection types

rotor. The action of the protective device must cause the motor to be disconnected.

Only external surface temperature needs to be considered for the Ex temperature class.

Increased safety “eb” Protection type Ex eb For this protection type, when used with an AC drive, the standard requires

Using this protection type with an AC drive requires that both the motor and drive are tested together for this duty and with the

Ingress protection to IP55 or IP65 prevents any dust from entering the motor, and therefore from reaching any internal hot

that the motor is tested in association with the specific drive and protective device for this duty. A combined heat run test is mandatory. Surface

protective device provided. Alternatively, use direct temperature protection with embedded temperature sensors and with

surfaces. Windings can be equipped with temperature sensors to protect the insulation, while thermistors are fitted to limit

temperature of any part (inside or outside) must not exceed the Ex temperature class limit.

sufficient margin to protect the bearings or

the surface temperature of the motor.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

Food & beverage 31 Dimensioning the motor and drive When sizing a motor for variable-speed use, continuous thermal dimensioning and shorttime overload capacity must be considered.

Also, limiting the switching frequency via Ex parameters will de-rate the amount of current and should be considered in the calculations.

that are fitted must be considered when dimensioning the motor.

About the authors

Other factors to consider include short-time overload capacity, ambient conditions and voltage drops in long cables.

Insulation and filters Choose the insulation and filters according

Drive dimensioning can be performed using

to voltage and frame size. Different motor

motor load capacity curves. These curves show the maximum permitted continuous output torque of the motor as a function of supply frequency. The output torque is

manufacturers have different instructions.

given as a percentage of the motor’s nominal torque. The load capacity curves are based on nominal supply voltage. The maximum speed of the motor must not be exceeded.

manufacturers take a different approach to fulfilling the requirement of the standards.

Check whether the combination has been type-tested and whether overtemperature

Load capacity curves are calculated for a specific switching frequency depending on the drive type. Since the switching

Thermal protection Depending on the motor protection type,

protection is required in the certificate. Choose the ATEX-certified safety devices accordingly.

Installation

frequency is different for different drives and load types, to ensure safe operation the combination of motor and drive must

Follow the installation instructions from the motor manufacturer – especially the cable and EMC recommendations in accordance with

be tested for the specific type of protection needed. The alternative is to connect the internal temperature sensors in the motor to a certified PTC/Pt100 relay that controls the

local regulations. Configure the drive according to the values on the motor rating plate and drive rating plate. Check that the drive’s switching frequency can be limited to the value

main contactor of the drive and disconnects the motor from the power supply if the temperature limit is exceeded. Any filters

required by the motor manufacturer. Additional safety can be achieved by commissioning the load capacity curve, if available.

Luciano Santos has worked at ABB for 12 years and is currently Low Voltage Motors Area Manager and Food & Beverage Lead. Prior to his current position, Luciano was an International Business Development Manager for an engineering trading company based in the UK, Product Developer for Electrical Instruments, Process Instrumentation Application Engineer, and DC Drives and AC Motors Product Manager at ABB Brazil. He holds a bachelor electronics degree from the University of Santa Cecilia in Brazil, and an expert certificate in microelectronics from INSA Toulouse, France.

Andrew Bould is the UK food and beverage industry segment manager serving England, Scotland and Wales for ABB Drives. He looks after the ABB customer installed base, selling the full range of ABB drive and control products, as well as multiple service offerings including engineering services, energy saving surveys and service level agreements. He works closely with customers in the food and beverage industries.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

32 Robotics

Robotic technology for nuclear decommissioning A

utomated robotics within the nuclear sector have historically been adopted to minimise operator

without becoming damaged or experiencing fatigue) can be implemented into nuclear environments, providing operational

robotics within a nuclear environment as the range of tasks to be attended is broad with both flexibility and dynamicity being

exposure to harmful radiation and ease the difficulties associated with accessing critical parts and/or contaminated

efficiencies that ultimately provide cost and time savings. These robots are also capable of undertaking tasks too harmful for humans

imperative.

equipment within a nuclear facility.

to manage on a cyclical basis.

Consideration of robotic technology should

Some of the robots that are available in

tools within a single robot cell, providing a multifunctional robot arm that can undertake several different tasks; changing between

also be given to repetitive tasks that require a consistent level of accuracy of execution – non-ergonomic tasks that impose a level of stress or risk upon a worker. Some of the key decommissioning activities include, but are not limited to; material handling, material size reduction, cutting, storage and sealing.

today’s market comprise a minimum of six axes, giving them the ability to perform several industrial tasks compared to robots with fewer axes. Six axes enable a robot to move in the x, y, and z planes – also known as six axes of freedom. Payload capacities also vary (the maximum load of which a robot can manage at full reach) from

bolting tools, swabbing tools, lid handling grippers, and size reduction tools such as saws or shears, to name just a few.

Tool changing technology is commercially available – off-the-shelf equipment that has been used for many years in sectors such as the automotive industry. When not in use, the tools can be stored in tool racks and

The use of industrial robotics in the nuclear sector has now become almost commonplace. So much so that ‘off-theshelf’ solution robots designed to operate in harsh environments (robots engineered to withstand high levels of dust and/or

lightweight models as light as 3kg through to industrial machines that can manage a load of 1,300kg. A seventh axes can also be incorporated into a robotic cell by way of a linear track or overhead gantry that afford an increased diversity of movement. This

mating faces of the tooling, protected from any debris within any given environment. This flexibility improves efficiency as one robot can complete several operational tasks.

Combining processes in one station can dramatically improve space savings, a critical

exposure to high heat and harsh chemicals

diversity is key when adopting automated

consideration in a process plant.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

It is possible to deploy several different

Robotics 33

Many of today’s industrial robots are suitable for use in laser, plasma and water jet cutting

A joystick solution provides a great deal of flexibility. Repetitive processes can be

processes, so additional size reduction techniques could potentially be used in certain areas rather than traditional cutting tools.

managed in automatic mode, whilst allowing an operator to drive the robot into position so it can perform one-time tasks that might not have been pre-programmed when an original system was commissioned.

In addition to cost and space savings, adopting automated robotic processes

an enhanced level of visual information to support the manual control of the robot.

The processes aligned with the continued decommissioning of the UK’s nuclear power plants and subsequent handling of legacy waste are, as with many automated processes across multiple industries,

can more importantly help achieve process optimisation. One process area that many consider to be critical, in terms of optimisation and consistency from waste package to waste package, would be the swabbing process.

Typically, a joystick control allows the operator to undertake size reduction tasks with a robot using various cutting tools to improve the packing ratio of waste containers, an important point when considering the use of an industrial robot within a waste retrieval

evolving. Mobile robots, collaborative robots and systems configured with vision guided systems are making their way into the decommissioning sector as nuclear facilities attempt to achieve their ‘site end state’ targets and explore ever advancing

A range of swabbing tools can be used to process storage drums and boxes. Typically, swab paths are concentrated around areas at which the box is sealed and the areas

process. Greater levels of efficiency can be achieved and the speed at which waste can be processed is accelerated. We should also consider that this method of combining

solutions that support the safe and efficient decontamination and dismantling of facilities.

surrounding the bolts. End of arm tooling is designed with an adjustable degree of compliance to ensure that a controlled amount of force is applied to the swab tool

automated and manual routines affords the operator protection from harmful radiation as the tasks are undertaken remotely.

The joystick solution incorporates a CAD

and ensure the process is repeatable for each box of waste processed. The compliance rates are variable during the process to

visualisation of the cell as part of the control solution and, when used in conjunction with a CCTV system, the operator is afforded

About the author KUKA is a supplier of intelligent automation solutions for industries around the world, including automotive, electronics, energy, healthcare, and many more. Its headquarters are in Augsburg, Germany.

ensure that gravity does not adversely affect the performance of the swabbing process when moving from a horizontal face to a vertical face, for example.

The swabbing process involves the removal of the lid bolts, thus releasing the container lid.

On removal, the bolts are placed into a bolt rack for safe storage and then retrieved and placed back into the box when the process is complete. Bolting tools are intelligent end effectors that can measure torque and count the number of turns of the bolt providing both greater process control and monitoring.

Specially designed socket heads match perfectly with the bolt heads that are used in these applications. Machine vision is also often used within a swabbing application as it allows the robot to find the bolt heads, minimising any potential misalignment of the waste container.

Automated processes within repetitive, sequential applications are the most cost effective and reliable method of process execution, but how do we go about managing ‘one-time tasks’ that can be undertaken by an operator remotely? The answer is by using a joystick control that essentially transforms the robot into an intelligent manipulator.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

34 Explosion science A high energy arcing fault vaporising a steel panel of power plant equipment, providing data that could help keep power plants operating safely – Image: Sandia National Laboratories

The cameras were placed behind a cinderblock wall to get them close to the arc fault while also protecting them from the heat.

They pointed the cameras toward high-grade mirrors and recorded the reflection of the explosion at more than 1,000 frames per second. The team recorded an arc fault that lasted four seconds with 26,000 amps of current. Reviewing the high-speed footage, the researchers saw how the steel panel enclosing the switchgear vaporised within half a second of the arc initiation.

Sandia’s optical engineers have developed

High-speed fire footage reveals key insights for power plant safety E

advanced imaging and analytic methods to show several kinds of data in one video. After collecting video during a test, the group uses algorithms to stabilise and merge footage from multiple cameras. For the arc fault tests, the engineers filmed the explosion using thermal imaging so they could see through the smoke and monitor the temperature of the flames. Then, they combined that footage with a view from a high-speed camera recording visible light from the explosion. The

ngineers from Sandia National Laboratories are using high-speed cameras and advanced algorithms, imaging and analytic methods to reveal

Sandia optical engineers have a way around those challenges. Working with Sandia fire protection engineers and colleagues at the National Institute of Standards and

results showed the temperature profile of the explosion relative to the physical equipment without smoke obscuring the view. These efforts allow the researchers to be able to use

key insights about arc flashes and help improve safety in power plants. The research is allowing the engineers to

Technology, the group recently conducted large-scale tests to gather data for a computer model that will predict an arc

video as test data.

gain a deeper understanding of arc faults between two conductors, such as the high-voltage bus bars in a switchgear

fault’s zone of influence. The results could be applied to low or medium voltage cabinets at any facility.

bright flames and shaking cameras. Three high-speed cameras with different exposures were set up so that combining the views

High energy arcing faults are high-power

Conductors running though these electrical cabinets were traditionally made of copper,

produced high dynamic range footage. The footage was then stabilised, and a video was produced with enough visual contrast to see

electrical discharges between two or more conductors that can release tens of thousands of amps of current. They can

the metal on which zones of influence have been determined over the past 50 years, but recently, many bus bar systems

where ejected particles at the edge of the explosion travelled. The researchers also used carbon tape and silica aerogel which ejected

result in explosions that reach about 35,000 degrees Celsius and vaporise steel, spewing hot metal particles into the air. Power plants evaluate risks from arc faults by knowing their zone of influence – the distance that neighbouring cables and equipment would be damaged beyond functionality.

have used aluminium conductors or a combination of copper and aluminium.

Aluminium, while less expensive and lighter than copper, is much more reactive during a high energy arc fault. This difference can affect how much energy and material an arc fault emits.

particles stuck to, providing clues to reactions that occurred during the explosion.

However, precise data about a rapid arc fault is hard to collect. Bright flames and smoke obscure the view, and the high heat destroys many diagnostic instruments. The electromagnetic interference associated with the flash also impairs the ability to collect

To learn about the impact of an arc fault in a full range of electrical equipment with both copper and aluminium conductors, the researchers set up high-speed and infrared cameras in a laboratory with unique electrical equipment capable of generating

provides the zones of influence for a high energy arc fault of given voltages and currents in a cabinet with specific metal conductors.

For more information, visit: https://shareng.sandia.gov/news/resources/news_

data.

high energy arc fault conditions.

releases/plant_safety/

at a power plant.

www.hazardexonthenet.net

Another challenge involved accounting for

The researchers are hoping to use data from these tests to create a computer model that accounts for the energy, mass and momentum balances during an arc fault.

Then the researchers can create a table that

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36 Process safety

Key lessons from incidents during start-up operations S

Case 1 – Petrochemical plant

under routine operations. The company’s

and sometimes quite cumbersome operations; these periods require intense activity and attention from

Mid way during a night shift while personnel were performing post-maintenance heat exchanger restart operations, a

lax safety culture led to a “complacent” attitude towards flammable leaks and occasional fires; the workers knew about

the operators. In this Safety Lore written by the IChemE Safety Centre (ISC), key learning points from two

heat exchanger on an adjacent bank catastrophically ruptured. Employees were in the final stages of a start-up activity

the problems at start-up, but it became the new “normal”. The Process Hazard Analysis of this activity did not provide

start-up incidents are discussed and suggestions are made using the ISC framework to highlight what can be

to put three (A/B/C) heat exchangers back into service following cleaning. The adjacent three (D/E/F) heat exchangers

effective preventive methods to eliminate the hazards. The investigation revealed that the effectiveness of safeguards to

done to achieve good process safety outcomes.

remained in service during this operation.

While the operations staff performed the start-up operations, the E heat exchanger

prevent HTHA was neither evaluated nor documented in the process hazard analysis study. The consequence was also

The ISC framework is not a management system and does not seek to create a management system, but simply provides a framework to view process safety across an organisation.

in the middle of the operating D/E/F bank catastrophically ruptured. The rupture of the E heat exchanger was the result of the carbon steel exchanger being severely weakened by a damage mechanism known as High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA). As a consequence of the explosion, seven employees were fatally injured.

increased due to the additional staff on site when the incident occurred.

and pressure etc.) in the system as it brings the pipework and vessels up to the required operating conditions from ambient. Under such recurring extreme conditions, pipework and different safety

Key learning points The start-up of the heat exchangers within the unit was a hazardous, nonroutine operation. The unit had a long history of flange leaks and occasional

affected unit, operators prepared the start-up during the night shift. First steam had to be imported to be able to start the primary furnace the following day. However, at 00:55 the top fired reformer blew up.

instruments can experience fatigue or other deterioration. These can develop as a result of the rapidly changing parameters (pressure, temperature etc.) during start-up.

These mechanical failures coupled with the lack of routine, competency and inadequate training can lead to major incidents.

fires during start-up in the past that were never investigated. Engineers had used steam to mitigate leaks rather than addressing the heat exchanger design issues. The start-ups commonly required additional staffing to manage issues, resulting in more personnel on site than

The procedure required many valves to be in the closed position and for these to be verified. The shift leader, however, did not ask the workers to check the valves because he was convinced that the valves were closed following his site walkaround.

Even though the display in the control

tart-ups are non-routine, transient

Starting up a process unit results in significant changes (operating temperature

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Case 2 – Ammonia plant During a summer’s day, a violent storm hit an ammonia production plant. The thunderstorm caused the failure of the external power supply and the trip of the plant at 15:20. After safely isolating the

Process safety 37

room showed that the valves were open, he insisted that the reading was wrong and continued the start-up. With that, he opened the natural gas supply valve, resulting in the triggering of a series of alarms and a minute later, the explosion occurred. The explosion injured two workers and destroyed the steam reformer.

Key learning points

The ISC believes that leadership across six key functional elements is vital to achieve good process safety outcomes. These elements are: & procedures & competence • systems • knowledge engineering & design

human factors • assurance • culture •In the ‘What can I do’ section below•you can see how each of these elements plays a part.

Figure 1: The ISC Framework

What can I do?

Management

The shift leader was convinced that the valves were closed and that was never double checked. To confirm that all safety critical equipment is in the correct position

• • • Make sure that procedures are clear and that they are always followed by personnel.

• Identify the hazards associated with the procedure and check that safeguards are • available and adequate. Make sure that start-ups are considered in sufficient detail

prior to start-up is a crucial step. It should be included in the operating procedures and those procedures should always be followed.

There was no redundant system in place to

• •

prevent operators from introducing natural gas in the process while the valves were open.

The investigation revealed that no logbook entry indicated the positions of the valves and any readings from the display. The start-up procedure was used sometimes as a checklist, but no signature or approval was requested. It was, however, not used this time to check the valves for the arch burners. Lack of training and competence were also factors that may have contributed to the accident. Start-ups are rare, and as such, regular refresher training is necessary. In case of emergency shutdown, a risk assessment should be undertaken to understand any changes or issues prior to starting up. This may include a formal Management of Change.

during PHA/HAZOP reviews.

• In case of experiencing anomalies during start-up, immediately investigate what happened instead of normalising such hazardous situations.

• Use inherently safer design where possible to control the damage mechanisms rather than inspection strategies.

• If you work in the petrochemical industry, for more information about turnaround activities see the IChemE BP Process Safety Series “Safe Ups and Downs for Process Units” available at http://www.icheme.org/bp-safety

Process Engineer/Supervisor

•

• Make sure that start-up operating procedures are up-to-date and adequate. They should be in checklist format and signed off at each step. Such procedures should cover all possible operating modes.

once it has been handed back. A pre-start-up safety review should be completed (see www.marsh.com)

instrumentation to enable start-up.

• Prior to start-up make sure that all critical safety devices are in the right position • (valves closed or open depending on the procedure).

• Make sure that adequate staffing and competence are available before starting up.

• • At shift change, talk through the procedure with the team and check the upcoming • • steps. Ensure the status is recorded in the logbook and check it before shift change.

• Communicate to all personnel, including contract workers in the vicinity of the • process unit about start-up and evacuate the affected areas during critical steps.

• A number the losses relate to poor control of work during the shutdown • maintenanceofperiod, but this is somewhat out of the hands of the operations team • Start-ups are rare operations, therefore plan refresher training for personnel; best • carried out just before start-up.

• In case emergency shutdown or before modifying the start-up procedures, • • complete ofa Management of Change review.

• Report and investigate incidents • occurrence of hazardous events. and near misses which are clear indicators of future • • Alarm management should be in place for start-up operation, too. control instrumentation should be carefully designed to be able to function • in• Process non-steady state operations when it is necessary to bypass safety critical

About the authors The IChemE Safety Centre is a notfor-profit multi-company, subscription based, industry consortium, focused on improving process safety. We share, analyse and apply safety related thinking. Contact us at safetycentre@ icheme.org

Operator

• • • If you are unsure about what is written in the start-up procedure, ask your supervisor.

• Check that no foreign particles are left in the system that can block pipes or cause • vibration in compressors.

• Always follow the start-up procedure using it as a check list to cover each step in the • right order.

The information included is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of the IChemE or the IChemE Safety Centre

www.hazardexonthenet.net

38 Events

OTC Asia 2020 Date: 24-27 March 2020 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The biennial Offshore Technology Conference Asia (OTC Asia) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.

Founded in 1969, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) organises the world’s foremost events for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, productions, and environmental protection. The flagship OTC is held annually in Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

OTC events are brought to you by organisations that cover all aspects of the offshore energy industry.

2020.otcasia.org

Oil & Gas Digitalisation Summit Sub-Saharan Africa Date: 24-25 March 2020 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Transforming the operational performance of Sub-Saharan Africa’s oil & gas industry through adopting digital technologies. The Oil & Gas Digitalisation Summit Sub-Saharan Africa will welcome the oil & gas sector to Johannesburg in March 2020 and will place the oil & gas industry at the forefront of a new age.

The conference will help chart a roadmap for developing more resilient and robust producers across the continent, less affected by global price fluctuations and future-proofed to withstand external shocks (which the O&G industry is prone).

Over the course of two days, the conference will demonstrate how adopting technology can positively facilitate national content strategies

that build capacity across SSA and enhance development of the SME sector and add value to national economies across the continent. www.oilandgasdigitalisation-ssa.com

Industrial Control Systems Cyber Security Conference Date: 21-23 April 2020 Location: Singapore

each October, and a Singapore/APAC event which takes place each April.

SecurityWeek’s Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cyber Security Conference is the largest and longest-running event series focused on industrial cybersecurity. Since 2002, the conference has gathered ICS cyber security stakeholders across various industries and attracts operations and control engineers, IT, government, vendors and academics.

The events cater to the energy, utility, chemical, transportation, manufacturing, and other industrial and critical infrastructure organisations.

Over the years, the focus of the conference has shifted from raising awareness towards sharing security event histories and discussing solutions and protection strategies. The conference series now includes two editions, the flagship U.S. Event which takes place

Data files

Both events address the myriad cyber threats facing operators of ICS around the world, and will address topics covering ICSs, including protection for SCADA systems, plant control systems, engineering workstations, substation equipment, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and other field control system devices.

The majority of conference attendees are control systems users, working as control engineers, cybersecurity professionals, in operations

management or in IT. Industries represented include defence, power generation, transmission and distribution, water utilities, chemicals, oil and gas, pipelines, transportation, data centres, medical devices etc. Other attendees work for control systems vendors, security products and services companies, associations, universities and various branches of the US and foreign governments. www.icscybersecurityconference.com

Logistics firms to get active on boosting Zone 2 safety

Logistics operations using ATEX lift trucks in Zone 2 should be using active gas detection to improve safety and protect people, warns Pyroban.

In Zone 2 it is important that drivers know when a potentially explosive atmosphere is present so that the cause of the flammable atmosphere can be investigated and rectified. Active gas detection systems on lift trucks can play a vital role in this, significantly improving onsite safety.

Some 3PLs have been slow to adopt this active approach assuming that it is better to operate ATEX lift trucks that use passive, Ex d protection methods so that

www.hazardexonthenet.net

trucks can work through a gas or vapour release. However, active gas detection ensures that drivers know there is a problem and can act upon it accordingly.

Pyroban’s most popular active gas detection solution for Zone 2 areas is system6000™ which involves converting the truck at the Pyroban UK factory in as little as six weeks. system6000 combines gas detection with various explosion protection methods and is suitable for all brands and types of diesel and electric materials handling equipment working in logistics operations, such as VNA, pallet, picking, counterbalance and reach trucks, and more.

With system6000, the driver gets visual/audible warnings followed by automatic equipment shutdown at certain levels. www.pyroban.com • +44 1273 456825 • sales@pyroban.com.

Data files 39 EEMUA Publication 186 - A Practitioner’s Handbook for potentially explosive atmospheres

ATEX Certified Humidity/Moisture and Temperature Sensors

EEMUA 186 offers guidance for safe installation, inspection and maintenance work in potentially explosive atmospheres.

EEMUA 186 focuses on ignition caused by electrical and mechanical sources and interprets relevant parts of international and European standards, directives and regulations.

EEMUA 186 covers application design engineering and duties of the Responsible Person (IEC standards). It includes separate chapters on fuel filling stations, hazardous areas in water and waste water, and mechanical ignition sources.

Closely associated with the CompEx® training and competency assessment scheme, this easily navigable resource is available to purchase at: https://www.eemua.org/Products/Publications/Print/EEMUAPublication-186.aspx

ROTRONIC Intrinsically Safe sensors and measurement transmitters with analogue outputs are suitable for use wherever there is a risk of explosion due to dust or gas in the environment.

HygroFlex5-EX transmitters and probes from ROTRONIC conform to the latest international ATEX standards. The transmitter is Intrinsically Safe (secondary side) , there are two channel outputs, the housing is heavy duty. Interchangeable probes are available for all applications, including those at pressure and low dew point.

Technical datasheet available Tel: 01293 571000 Email: instruments@rotronic.co.uk Web: www.rotronic.co.uk

ATEX certified pressure regulators ATEX certified pressure regulators for air, gases and liquids from ID Insert Deal Srl are available through their UK distributor, Measure Monitor Control. There are 54 different models of ATEX certified regulators and filter regulators covering a range range from 1/8” to 2”.

The primary regulators suit inlet pressures up to 400bar for air, gas or liquids and at the opposite end of the scale, the tertiary regulators offer control ranges down to 5mbar.

Also ATEX approved are another 30 different models of relief valves, filters, lubricators and manifolds to deliver a comprehensive package of solutions for pressure control in hazardous environments.

316L stainless steel, brass and aluminium constructions are available up to DN100

Heaters

with a range of elastomers to suit all common industrial gases and liquids from -60 to +300degC. See the ID Insert Deal range at stand AF104 during Air Tech 2020 21-23 April at the Birmingham NEC. Also at stand AF104 will be the new S230 series triple certified dew point sensor from SUTO iTEC GmbH that measures from -100ºCtd to +20ºCtd up to 1.5MPa and can be supplied with either ATEX, IECEx or GB3836 certification. This groundbreaking instrument employs dual sensors to deliver a very wide accurate measuring range.

The S231 is based on the same technology and carries equal certification options for hazardous environments but with a narrower measuring range of -50ºCtd to +20ºCtd for gas pressures up to 35MPa. www.measuremonitorcontrol.com +44 (0)1443 772500

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SeriesVP/VG

SMC - Meeting tomorrow’s machine safety standards today ISO 13849-1 Safety Standard Compliant Valves – Series VP/VG

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