Magnetite hazards and handling

[TOT]

My company is scheduled to open a Hydrocarbon system that holds up a large quantaty of magnetite sludge.(An offshore oil / gas pipeline). he sludge is a combination of light gas oil (HC condensate), light HC gases, trace levels of Mercury, and H2S. The question is what is the likely hazrds operators will be ex[posed to when thios equipment is N2 purged, and open to atmosphere? Will the magnetite dry out and become flaky, will it become pyrophoric? Is it possible to be reactive and evolve adsorbed HC's?
Anything in terms of the handling hazards etc will be most welcome. Or a link to a usefull site or contact also.

 

[Metalguy]

It will slowly convert to hematite (red oxide) from exposure to air and humidity. Don't know about your other concerns.