Flash Point Limit for Dispensing to Open Drain System 1

[GaTechTheron]

Can a liquid with a flash point at 0[C], but RVP around 3[psia] go to an open drain system? According to API2000, it seems our atmospheric tanks can handle the liquid provided that they meet some venting requirements (flame arrestor, etc), but its unclear if this liquid can be drained from process equipment, and into this open drain system (to API separator). If you attempt to apply that same definition (by API2000) to the open drain system, then I guess these liquids cannot go to open drain?

Please provide that standard that would give guidance in this area, if possible. Thanks !

 

[Latexman]

API 2000:Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks has almost nothing to do with the environmental, legal, safety, etc. reasons of can or should a flammable liquid go to an open drain. API 2000 only answers would the tank vent properly if it was drained at a certain rate of the flammable. Where it drains to is immaterial to API 2000. API 2000 is not applicable to the question, can these liquids go to open drain or not.

Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.

 

[GaTechTheron]

Latexman,

To me, it actually does address safety by giving facility requirement in order to avoid dangerous situations (flame restorers are required when flash is <100F). Question is whether or not safety is fully covered by the standard, perhaps. Would NFPA30 be the right answer (beyond company standards) that addresses safety? Thanks for your reply, but would appreciate a bit more insight in order to solve this problem properly. Thanks in advance !

 

[Latexman]

Yes, API 2000 does address safety . . . of the venting and breaking vacuum; not about what is draining out though.

And, yes again, NFPA 30 plays a part, and NFPA 70 (National Electric Code), and probably other regs. A proper process hazard analysis (PHA) is called for. Is there any compatability issues (chemical reaction)? Could hot materials be put in drain and create a flammable vapor cloud? Is a dedicated closed pipe to the API separator inherently safer? A good PHA will ferret out what's important.





Good luck,
Latexman

To a ChE, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.

 

[GaTechTheron]

Latexman,

I agree with that point, and thank you.

 

[georgeverghese]

It would be bordering on suicidal if you drained a liquid with a flashpoint of 0degC into open drains. This should be routed to a closed drains system with a means to continously exclude air.