China Chemical plant explosion and Security Consideration
Source: http://blog.vedardalarm.com/china-chemical-plant-explosion-and-security-consideration/
Date: 2019/04/17
Explosion at China Jiangsu Xiangshui Chemical Plant Killed 64 and injured 94 people. Residents nearby now worry about the safety of their water, and some have fled out of fear of toxic air.
A tanker truck carrying natural gas had caught fire, setting off an explosion in a benzene storage area.
The plant mainly produces pesticides. An inspection last year by the State Administration of Work Safety found 13 safety problems, including extensive leaks, a lack of safety training, “poor site management” and a shortage of operating procedures and technical specifications posted in the benzene tank area.
Regulators did not have the resources to regulate the vast chemical industry and that businesses should do more to police themselves.
What can chemical plant do to avoid disaster? The special explosion proof alarm device and automatic emergency dealing equipment is needed. The explosion proof combustible gas or toxic gas detector is needed which is with sound and light alarm on site and linked to fire alarm control panel. So, when the gas leakage happens, the detector will trigger alarm for notice at first time and have the fire automatic alarm control panel to trigger gas source driver shutting off tank gas source, activate closure of the motorized damper.
Below are two examples of gas detector installation requirement.
H2S Detector
Contractor shall install a H2S sensor of 0-100 ppm range for measuring the H2S concentration in the Fresh Air intake unit duct. The H2S sensor shall have a local digital display and potential free relay contacts to activate closure of motorized damper when H2S concentration in the fresh air reaches preset alarm set point. The damper shall open automatically when the concentration of gas becomes normal.
HC Detector
Contractor shall install a HC sensor of 0-100% LEL range for measuring the HC concentration in the Fresh Air Intake Unit duct. The HC sensor shall have a local digital display and potential free relay contacts to activate closure of the motorized damper when HC concentration in the fresh air reaches preset alarm set point. The damper shall open automatically when the concentration of gas becomes normal.
The Gas detectors (H2S & HC) shall be interlocked with HVAC System in such a way that in case of energstaion of gas detection system as described above, the fresh air supply will be cut off and HVAC system will work in re circulation mode only.