Loss of Containment Analysis for Gaseous Oxygen (GOX) Piping'

1.     
Title

     'LOSS
OF CONTAINMENT ANALYSIS FOR GASEOUS OXYGEN (GOX) PIPING'

Author: Yun-Ho Lee, Process Safety, Air Products Korea.

2.     
Abstract:

Maintaining the safety focus in any oxygen pipeline system
is essential to successful long term operation and requires diligence throughout the entire process of engineering, design, construction, maintenance,
start-up, and plant operation. An example
of evaluation is presented here for an existing large oxygen pipeline in the
form of consequence analysis to ascertain the risk to public.

Gaseous Oxygen (GOX) is supplied via pipeline from an Air Separation plant to customers who are
located in a highly dense Industrial Park that has refineries, petrochemical, polymer, chemical, steel mill and
manufacturing industries. The major portion of this long pipeline runs underground along the side of industrial road.

Enriched oxygen resulting in fire is the primary concern. Although it is  nonflammable, oxygen readily supports
combustion. Explosions May occur in locations where a mixture of fuel gas and oxygen can accumulate.

It is necessary to
evaluate the hazard consequence to third parties due to the rupture potential
of the high pressure oxygen pipeline. This is triggered through a periodical Plant
Hazard Analysis process. The result of the analysis, which includes a detailed
site survey, provides clarity to management on the risks associated with the
pipeline and mitigation plan that can help to keep up the business reputation
around the community

In addition to the
important critical safety layer such as excess flow / low pressure shutdown
system, the pipeline should also require stringent administrative / engineering
controls such as periodical pipeline surveillance for corrosion, regular field monitoring,
and CP (Cathode Protection) for underground piping.

An emergency plan is
prepared so that every possible incidents can receive
effective response. This plan is specific to the parental site and defines the
roles of local personnel in an emergency situation. This document summarizes hazard
identification, evaluation, operational control, planning for emergencies and
monitoring performance.