placement of k.o. drum

Can we place K.O. drum in a pit with in gas plant especially when the gases are heavier than air? If the answer is yes, is their any reference available in any international code (especially in American or BS code) that we can use for detail study and onward working?

 

[mucour]

What has the gas density to do with locating a KO drum.

My understanding of a KO drum is remove entrained liquid in a gas system. And the system in question is pressurised (I assume) so it should flow base on pressure gradient.

If you concern is the hazardous area classification, then it does not matter if it is located in a pit or on the surface, the hazardous classification requirement can be gotten from API-500 or IP 15 depending on your client requirement.

 

Dear Hafiz,
It is not a good practice to locate the K.O drum(I believe in flare service) within the gas plant process area. It shall be located in the vicinity of the flare stack in a manner to eliminate liquid hold up both on the inlet header and outlet flare header with precausions set forth in API 521 and 520. However should you be forced to locate the KO drum within the process area due to plot limitation and topography the flare KO drum can be located inside process area but not in an open pit. As you have highlighted when you are processing a heavier than air gas, the gas in case of release will be accumulated in the pit and will increase the risk of fire, personnel suffocation etc.. So it,s better to bury the drum if there is absolutely no other way provided certain precautions of monitoring leaks,external corrosion monitoring etc to be carried out. IF buruial is not possible then extreme care should be carried out eg;specifing class 1 DIV.1 for the pit, Installing gas detection, and flame monitoring for the pit area, alocation of all precautions for the personnel fall etc..
Regards