April 24, 2011

Ammonia and thermal expansion

For my friends in the ammonia industry, let me remind you ammonia can also kill you in another way apart from exposure to it. 25 years ago, I witnessed a large leak due to thermal expansion of liquid ammonia which was not understood by the technical services team of the plant who had carried out an in house modification. The liquid ammonia which was blocked in, expanded due to thermal expansion and a pressure gauge in the line gave away, rocketing the gauge and causing a large leak. The flying projectile could have killed people.Airgas has published a technical bulletin about ammonia, which all personnel in ammonia facilities should read. Read it in this link.

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