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AirTower AT is designed to clean ambient factory air, removing the remaining pollutants that existing extraction is failing to capture.Full hall extraction assists extraction systems, removing coolant mist, smoke, and weld fume from the workplace.Designed to extract at high level, where weld fume and atmospheric pollution settles; returning clean air to the working space at low level to create a healthier working environment.AirTower from AirBench uses high power, energy efficient EC fans alongside a filter system selected to suit your application, to clean high volumes of air.Alongside our dust, fume, and mist extraction systems, the new AirTower AT helps you create the right working environment.

Contact us to arrange a site survey.

www.airbench.com

Working pressure tolerances of 90% - now also for high-pressure applications > 400 bar g.  

The HPRRD reverse rupture disk offers a durable and sustainable solution for high-pressure applications with pulsating process conditions. The new design dispenses with predetermined breaking notches or other mechanisms that impair fatigue strength.   The compact design requires no additional support structures and guarantees direct installation in the on-site installation system. Independent and flexible machining of the outer contour allows unlimited freedom for the connections and sealing surfaces.  

Burst pressures from 400 to 4000 bar g with a tolerance of up to ± 2 % of the nominal burst pressure can be realized thanks to consistently precise manufacturing and guarantee a reliable safety function from -5 to 350 °C. 

When triggered, the bursting diaphragm ruptures as a whole and releases the entire relief cross-section. This enables the process pressure to be relieved safely and quickly. 

The unnotched design of the new ST-HPR high-pressure reverse rupture disc enables high pulsating working pressure tolerances of 90 %. As the first reverse rupture disc in the REMBE® universe, no mechanical weakening by blades, for example, is required for opening. The compact design and machining from solid material guarantee almost limitless freedom of shape of the outer contour - whether conical or flat sealing. Burst pressures of 400 to 4000 bar g with a tolerance of up to ± 2 % of the nominal burst pressure can be achieved through consistently precise manufacturing and guarantee reliable opening behavior from -5 to 350 °C. When triggered, the bursting diaphragm ruptures as a whole and releases the entire cross-section. This enables the process pressure to be relieved safely and quickly. 

Fig. 1: REMBE rupture disk for pulsating high-pressure applications

Given the expected and necessary growth of the hydropower industry over the upcoming decades, it could be argued that polymeric technology has a valuable role to play in supporting this growth. Applications, such as the one identified below, demonstrate how assets that would otherwise be decommissioned or sent to landfill can be given a new lease of life thanks to a combination of epoxy repair composites.

Introduction:

Traditionally known for its high performance repair and maintenance solutions, Belzona is expanding its reach into the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) market.

With an extensive range of coatings, Belzona can provide cost-effective alternatives for protecting and finishing OEM equipment such as pumps, tanks and heat exchangers.

One of 14 OEM Heat Exchangers coated with Belzona

Rather than waiting until the damage is done, a large Manufacturer of heat exchangers in the Czech Republic specified the use of Belzona to enhance the durability and performance of their newly manufactured equipment. The Customer reached out to Belzona Authorised Distributor, STROJCONSULT Litvínov s.r.o. for a solution.

Why Chose a Belzona Coating?
After learning about the benefits of Belzona 1593, the Company decided to coat all 14 newly fabricated heat exchangers to prevent corrosion and prolong the equipment's lifespan.

Each heat exchanger was lined with two coats of Belzona 1593, a high temperature brush-applied epoxy coating which provides corrosion protection for equipment operating under continuous immersion conditions. The team at Stroj Consult not only supplied the Belzona solution but also provided an expert team of applicators to complete the lining. The application was completed over a 14-day period offering the customer a comprehensive turn-key service.

Belzona proudly announces the launch of its revolutionary SF₆ Leak Solution.

As the world grapples with the urgency of minimising greenhouse gas emissions, Belzona takes a proactive stance by introducing its solution to SF₆ leakage. Belzona SF6-FIX can reduce leaks to undetectable levels, mitigating the environmental hazards associated with SF₆ usage.

What is Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆)?

Sulphur hexafluoride or SF₆ is a synthetic gas comprised of one sulphur and six fluoride atoms. It is commonly used in medium and high voltage electrical equipment to insulate live electrical parts and to switch the flow of electrical current on and off. This same equipment, crucial for the efficient functioning of power grids, also plays a pivotal role in connecting the generation and storage of renewable energy.

Why is Stopping SF₆ Leaks So Important?

Despite its utility, SF₆ is incredibly detrimental to the planet. With a warming potential that is a staggering 23,500 times higher than carbon dioxide (CO₂)^[1], SF₆ is the most potent greenhouse gas. This means that even in minute quantities, SF₆ has a disproportionately significant impact on global warming. Worryingly, the Environmental Protection Agency notes that leak detection surveys show approximately 10 percent of circuit breaker populations leak and, 85% of these leaks are releasing enough of this dangerous gas to be considered significant. Frequent leaks of such a potent greenhouse gas have become a serious contributing factor to global warming.

Commenting on Belzona's new solution for SF₆ leakage, one of the main developers, Training Facilitator, Karl Rodman, said:

“By implementing this solution, the amount of harmful SF₆ being released into the atmosphere will be significantly reduced. Belzona has created a necessary solution to a prolific problem in this integral industry. Belzona SF6-FIX not only addresses the environmental concerns surrounding SF₆ leakage, but also contributes to the sustainable and efficient functioning of power grids”.

The Online Leak Solution in Action

This electric switch gear flange within a Power Distribution Substation was leaking 70kg of SF₆ per month. In addition to being devastating for the environment, such leaks incur substantial costs, as local authorities can issue hefty fines. Leveraging a strategic combination of expertly applied specialist materials, including reinforcement sheets alongside Belzona's advanced resin and coatings, Belzona successfully stemmed the leak in just one day, without the need to degas the system.

Electric Switch Gear Flange with SF₆ Leak                       SF₆ Leakage Sealed with Belzona SF6-FIX

Six months into service, the solution was deemed successful. The leak has been reduced to an undetectable level, resulting in a monumental environmental and financial saving. This triumphant application has paved the way for the solution's expansion to other substations, offering a practical and efficient means to propel the global power distribution industry towards a more sustainable future.

^[1]

Belzona SF6-FIX Leak Solution Launch

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) ﷟HYPERLINK "https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar5/"fifth assessment report.

In recent Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) testing, the results showed that the cool roof coating, Belzona 3111 (Flexible Membrane), exhibited high solar reflectance properties with an average* SRI of 99.4%. Considering the vicious cycle of increased global temperatures leading to an increased use of air conditioning, which exacerbates the problem further, polymeric technology like this plays a valuable role in mitigating this damaging process.

*Average figure based on SRI calculated in low, medium and high winds.

It is well known that more explosions are traced to non-electrical sources of ignition than electrical sources. Despite this, for Zone 1 (CAT2) Certification under ATEX non-electrical equipment could be ‘self-certified’ (with the resulting file lodged with a Notified Body but not checked) Since the introduction of IECEx non-electrical assessment this has changed, and all IECEx Certification is conducted by qualified and IECEx accredited Certification Bodies.

Non-electrical equipment can cause explosion by friction, impact, static, hot surfaces and many other methods; all equipment designed to be used in Explosive Atmospheres should have been risk assessed to assure that this cannot happen, but in Europe it is the law that this must be done (under the ATEX Directive) and the methodology for doing the assessment and protecting ignition capable parts has been well defined in the form of ‘Standards’.

Typical Information required to conduct an Ex non-electrical assessment.

A document would be required to confirm the global specification & environment for where the equipment will be used and in what environments (E.g. Zone, Gas Group, T Class, and Ambient Temperature).

The COVID19 virus has had an unprecedented impact on our world. Since its establishment within the human population a year ago, it been recorded in more than 74 million people and led to more than 1.6 million deaths. Governments around the world have responded in different ways to limit the suffering, including fast tracking the search for vaccines, mandating virus spread limiting measures and providing financial support for their economically worst affected citizens. These actions have, in turn, had tangential impacts for safeguarding activities which happen not to be in the COVID front line.

A huge number of national and international events have been cancelled or postponed, disrupting lives and livelihoods worldwide. Indeed, the Wikipedia page dedicated to covering this states that ‘this is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness’. Furthermore, a British Medical Journal (BMJ) investigation on ‘Mortality due to cancer treatment delay: systematic review and meta-analysis.’ from November 2020 found that delay and cancellation of cancer treatment due to COVID prioritising and spread limiting measures, significantly increased death rates in sufferers (Each 4 week delay in breast cancer surgery leads to an 8% increase in patient mortality. Accordingly, a 12 week treatment delay for all patients would translate into 1400 annual excess deaths in the UK alone).

In my own sphere, Process Hazard Assessments (PHAs), I sense there has also been a tangential COVID impact – the cancellation of limited duration reviews. As anecdotal evidence I can cite the fact that pre-COVID (up to Feb 2020), 34 out of 101 PHAs I had led were of 1 or 2 day duration. Post COVID (March 2020 onwards) 1 out of 7, a reduction of ~60%. Is this indicative of a wider industry trend and if so, what might be driving it?

My theory is that major project designs and site periodic reviews for high hazard processing (HHP) facilities have the financial resources and momentum to have transformed the planning and execution of PHAs to be 2020 COVID compliant. I suspect that those responsible for managing these smaller scopes, especially site based revamps, may have found that the perceived transformation threshold too daunting and convinced themselves that a less rigorous Management of Change (MOC) process was, in the circumstances, acceptable.

The problem is, of course, that hazards are present whatever your project size. In fact, again based on anecdotal evidence from a HAZOP / LOPA I led a few years ago, this risk can be quantified. The PHA lasted 9 days and, by my calculation, identified the following Process Safety Gaps:

• PS Gaps identified in LOPA – fatality likelihood 0.0046/yr; serious injury 0.049/yr
• Fatality frequency reduction per day of HAZOP/LOPA 0.00050/yr; Serious injury 0.0054/yr
• 1 future life lost during scope operation (say 15 years) = £1.8m cost (HSE estimate) = 1/0.00050/15 days of HAZOP / LOPA not executed = ~130 days
• 1 future serious injury = 1/0.0054/15 days of HAZOP / LOPA not executed = ~12 days

If the 1 or 2 day reviews which I managed had not been sanctioned, around 4 serious injuries would have resulted; perhaps people I know. If this continued for another 15 years, it is likely that one future life would have been lost; maybe someone you know.
The good news is that help is at hand. You can encourage, enable and empower those responsible for initiating and managing smaller HHP PHAs to do just that. In other words, help them to see that the barrier to small PHA execution is smaller than they envisage and can be pushed even further down. And here is one way you can do it:

• Identify and limit your core (Process, Ops, C&I, Independent Chair?) and contributory team (Vendor, Engineering Expert, Scribe?) members
• View a Virtual HAZOP webinar 

• Develop / Adopt a Remote Review Etiquette (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an example)
• Set Up and Test a Video Conferencing Amenity (MS Teams, Zoom)
• Prepare Robustly – Mark Up Nodes, Populate Flow Causes. Distribute to participants ahead of HAZOP
• Take the plunge…..

According to Britannica.com. the Bermuda Triangle is a section of the North Atlantic Ocean off North America in which more than 50 ships and 20 airplanes are said to have mysteriously disappeared. Wikipedia goes on to note that in 1952 Fate magazine published "Sea Mystery at Our Back Door", where the author recounted the loss of several planes and ships since World War II. A geography not to be messed with, it seems.

Similarly, in the realm high hazard processing facilities, another challenging geography is the Green Ammonia triangle.

Green Ammonia production is likely to far outweighs the more polluting black, grey or blue production methods, as we transition to a fossil free future. As materials develop, advances in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) technology for electrolysers yields greater efficiencies year on year. The route to produce ammonia as a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) brings significant transportation benefits when comparing transportation of liquid H2 in its virgin state.

However, a triangle of significant hazards exists during the ammonia production process, namely:

1. Nitrogen manufactured from an Air Separation Unit, consists of asphyxiant & cryogenic hazards.
2. Hydrogen possesses very low minimum ignition energies (0.017mJ) & has a significant explosive fuel range (4-75% v/v) & will generate a deflagration producing a significant pressure wave (550 bar m/s).
3. The resultant ammonia (produced by the Haber Bosch process) is highly toxic.

At each stage of process design, especially at conceptual, it is imperative to make wise choices of plant/equipment layout. A HAZID study (HS 2) will tease out the safeguard requirements, for example:

• Blast Walls - however an inherently safe design (ISD) may be favoured negating this.
• Spacing of equipment / minimise congestion will help to reduce pressure wave magnitude & assist for equipment inspections or routines. Plant layout is a critical factor not only for constructability but will assist a Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) approach and process release of units.

HAZOP (HS 3) must consider an ISD, versus Safety Instrumented Functions which not only need to be appropriately designed (IEC 61511) but maintained for the life of the plant. Any upgrades or changes must be covered by appropriate Functional Safety Audits (FSA’s). DSEAR will need to be followed and adopted prior to final confirmed locations.

Finally, consideration of plant hazards for startup/shutdown must be allowed for, as this is when the plant is at its greatest change of flux. Level-headed decisions need to be made for credible unplanned scenarios, with the appropriate safeguards in place to mitigate any potential loss of containment for any of the plants fluids. Add the hazards of high voltage electrical supply required for the electrolysers into an aqueous rich environment.

In conclusion, the new geography of green ammonia is likely to be a high reward one for those who choose to enter. Just take care to identify the hazards so that your residual risks can be rendered known and low.

Blog by Paul Gornall from Process Safety Matters 

www.processsafetymatters.com

MSA Grid software recently received an Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) magazine Industrial Hygiene Award in the “Auditing and Compliance Software” category.

 The awards feature winners across 28 categories, honoring the outstanding product development achievements of health and safety manufacturers whose products are considered particularly noteworthy in their ability to improve industrial hygiene.

 This year’s awards enjoyed a broad range of compelling entries with some hot competition in some of the categories,” said David Kopf, executive editor and publisher of Occupational Health & Safety. “This was particularly noticeable in categories such as Internet of Things—Connected Devices and Hearing Conservation & Noise Reduction. It just goes to show that the companies providing industrial hygiene products and services are continually working to innovate and improve.”

 MSA Grid is a cloud-based software solution that automatically integrates with the ALTAIR io™ 4 Connected Gas Detector to help enhance safety and productivity across workers, worksites, and workflows, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection via desktop or mobile.

Capabilities include:

Grid Compliance Service: Features over-the-air updates, digital device assignment, and lifetime data logs

Grid Fleet Manager: Enables safety managers to proactively address detector maintenance, streamline recordkeeping and compliance, and drive worker accountability

Grid Live Monitor: Offers real-time visibility of workers and worksites, including gas readings, individual or group evacuation alerts, and location awareness

New features recently released to Grid include Mobile Notifications, providing immediate in-app notifications when an alarm exposure or SOS event occurs along with live worker location and gas readings, and Shared Alerts, which notifies those on-site if a nearby worker or another worker in their group has gone into alarm.

Learn more about Grid software for ALTAIR io 4 devices here.