Category M Fluid
Category M Fluid
(OP)
ASME B31.3 para 300.2 Definitions defines the Category M fluid as "the fluid is so highly toxic that a single exposure to a very small quantity of the fluid, caused by leakage, can produce serious irreversible harm to persons on breathing or bodily contact, even when prompt restorative measures are taken".
My questions on this:
1) what is the small quantity of fluid that B31.3 is pointing here?
2) Are hydrocarbons with H2S category M fluids? The 1000 ppm leakage in air is enough to kill a person (almost immediately).
3) Can we define that Hydrocarbon with H2S content more than XX percentage is hydrocarbon? How much that percentage would be? Any material available on that to refer?
My questions on this:
1) what is the small quantity of fluid that B31.3 is pointing here?
2) Are hydrocarbons with H2S category M fluids? The 1000 ppm leakage in air is enough to kill a person (almost immediately).
3) Can we define that Hydrocarbon with H2S content more than XX percentage is hydrocarbon? How much that percentage would be? Any material available on that to refer?





RE: Category M Fluid
Also see these useful links;
http://www.wmhuittco.com/images/Category_M_Basis.p...
https://becht.com/blog/when-should-category-m-flui...
RE: Category M Fluid
RE: Category M Fluid
RE: Category M Fluid
So there is no fixed criterion, OWNER's engineer has to decide it. Fine!
Should it be PROCESS engineering department or PIPING?
RE: Category M Fluid
Your question: "Should it be PROCESS engineering department or PIPING?"
Neither, It should be Project Management (& the Client) during the early Contract discussions. There should be a line or section in every Contract Document that is filled in with "None" or a list of every Cat "M" Fluid.
Why? you may ask.
The answer is Cost! The measures required to prevent leakage, clean-up spills, provide medical care and insurance against Law Suits all add to the cost of the project. It is better to know all the Cost Impact items up front.
Sometimes its possible to do all the right things and still get bad results
RE: Category M Fluid
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Category M Fluid
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Category M Fluid
Noted with thanks.
My comment:
Owner has to decide and owner does not have slightest of help from ASME.
RE: Category M Fluid