Codes / Guidelines for Blast Protection of Reactors (Hydrogenation)- Specialty Chemicals Batch Plant
Codes / Guidelines for Blast Protection of Reactors (Hydrogenation)- Specialty Chemicals Batch Plant
(OP)
I was researching into Codes and Guidelines for Blast Protection of Reactors (Hydrogenation). A non-US facility I was reviewing has a number of hydrogenators (approx 10,000 to 15,000 L) and there are no locally applicable codes that cover this use case.
The end-use is specialty chemicals so the plant itself is built to local codes and "good engineering practice". And in any case the facility is older and grandfathered in.
Hence I was wondering from a safety point of view whether there would be other codes e.g. API, US / EU etc. that would serve as guidance or best practices.
Fundamentally, I am trying to reconcile two different points of view: (a) Safely venting the blast wave pressure e.g. by friable panels or having a reactor which is somewhat "open" i.e. no surrounding concrete walls etc. versus (b) Blast shielding that would remain structurally sound in case of a blast.
This is a preliminary review so just want to familiarize myself with applicable standards and recommendations before a PE comes in for the detailed calculations and recommendations.
The end-use is specialty chemicals so the plant itself is built to local codes and "good engineering practice". And in any case the facility is older and grandfathered in.
Hence I was wondering from a safety point of view whether there would be other codes e.g. API, US / EU etc. that would serve as guidance or best practices.
Fundamentally, I am trying to reconcile two different points of view: (a) Safely venting the blast wave pressure e.g. by friable panels or having a reactor which is somewhat "open" i.e. no surrounding concrete walls etc. versus (b) Blast shielding that would remain structurally sound in case of a blast.
This is a preliminary review so just want to familiarize myself with applicable standards and recommendations before a PE comes in for the detailed calculations and recommendations.
RE: Codes / Guidelines for Blast Protection of Reactors (Hydrogenation)- Specialty Chemicals Batch Plant
RE: Codes / Guidelines for Blast Protection of Reactors (Hydrogenation)- Specialty Chemicals Batch Plant
https://www.iitk.ac.in/nicee/wcee/article/14_05-01...
This document has Codes/Standards listed under the section marked "References"
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.mdspe.org/resource/resmg...
All of these guidelines and papers seem to reference that 1964 seminal classic -- Biggs !!!
BIGGS (J M). Introduction to structural dynamics, 1964. McGraw Hill Book Company, Inc, New York.
A risk based approach may be useful during the FEED or conceptual stages of a project
https://www.dnv.com/Images/A%20risk%20based%20appr...
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Codes / Guidelines for Blast Protection of Reactors (Hydrogenation)- Specialty Chemicals Batch Plant
Refer to Chapter 6 (Fundamentals of Venting of Deflagrations) for specific design guidance.