Cold Venting of Hydrocarbon Gas to air filled system

[ChemEngSquirrel]

I have a piping system containing well production fluids (hydrocarbon gas, oil, water).

Would it be acceptable to depressurise this line to a knockout drum and vent when required for maintenance?

The vent is open to air and is not purged. There is no liquid seals to minimise air ingress. Therefore, all vent lines and the KO drum will be air filled until depressurisation of the hydrocarbon inventory takes place.

 

[Chance17]

I think you already know the answer to your question.
It is not OK to vent flammable hydrocarbon into equipment containing air.

 

[zdas04]

"Acceptable" to whom? I'm sure that the personal injury lawyers would find it perfectly acceptable.

Improper purging of vessels and piping is the number 2 cause of death in the Oil & Gas industry (of course driving is number 1 and always will be), even asking that question makes me think that reducing the number of purge-related fatalities is a vain hope.

David