Types of Physical Release of Hazardous Materials in Oil & Gas Plants

By The Brainy Engineer Sunday, December 30, 2018

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What’re the Types(Forms) of Physical Release of Hazardous Materials in Oil & Gas Plants :

A physical hazard is an agent, factor that can cause harm with or without contact. in Oil & Gas Plants there are several Types of Physical Release of Hazardous Materials:

Catastrophic Failure: A vessel or tank opens completely immediately releasing its contents.The amount of release is dependent on the size of the container (e.g., a long tank welded seam split).

Long Rupture: A section of pipe is removed leading to two sources of material release. Each section being an opening whose cross-sectional areas are equal to the cross-sectional area of the pipe (e.g., pipeline external impact and a section is removed).

Open Pipe: The end of a pipe is fully opened, exposing the cross- sectional area of the pipe (e.g., a drilling blow-out).

Short Rupture: A split occurs on the side of a pipe or hose. The cross-sectional area of the opening will typically be about equal to the cross-sectional area of the pipe or hose (e.g., pipe seam split from “hydrogen induced cracking” effect).

Leak: Leaks are typically developed from valve or pump seal packing failures, localized corrosion or erosion effects, and are typically “small” to “pin-hole” sized (e.g., corrosion or erosion).

Vents, Drains, Gauge, or Sample Port Failures: Small diameter piping or valves may be opened or fail which releases vapors or liquids to the environment unexpectedly (e.g., level gauge sight glass breaks).

Normal Operational Releases: Process storage or sewer vents, relief valve outlets, tank seals, flare, and burn pit disposal systems, which are considered normal and accepted releases to the atmosphere.