metal structured packing - clean(new col) a fire risk? 1

[jamesbanda]

Dear all,

i understand the risk of structured packing fires during turnarounds etc. that a spark could be a major risk.

Is this the same case for a new install of stuctured packing into a clean column on a new plant.?

and is the risk the same as the packing is being stored?
ie do we need to be carefull installing the packing in a constuction site?

 

[ash9144]

Cases I have heard of involving structured packing fires are usually started by welding work inside the tower. Slag or direct flame source impinges the thin metal and ignites. Take proper precautions when performing hot work and you should not have a problem.

 

[Milutin]

Hi all,

Main risk with packing is presence of pyrophoric iron. This compound doesn't need spark to ignite, only oxygen. This is particulate dangerous in refinery vacuum towers. Usually before opening for maintenance such column are chemically washed. Even after cleaning during maintenance it is good idea to keep packing wet.

Good article:

http://www.cheresources.com/ironfires.shtml

For installation of new packing , main concern is how to keep debris away from packing, also walking on them is not good idea.
I hope that your packing vendor will provide you enough data how to deal with packing during installation also many vendors offers supervisors for packing installation.

Regards,

Milutin

 

[0707]

Milutin, has given the good answer to this subject,which is a commom practice.


luis marques

 

[sshep]

One of the plants at a site where I worked had a column fire due to welding slag which slipped down onto the packing below- area below the work was blanketed but not good enough. This was structured packing, I think wire gause bricks. This was shutdown work, but the tower was believed clean. The draft through the tower was believed to assist the propagation.

The workers felt the heat from below and evacuated. The tower was flushed with water. This was one experience anyway.

best wishes,
sshep