Outdoor Storage of Chemical Products

[Headache2013]

Sirs;

We want to design an outdoor (no shelter) storage area for chemical containers (hundreds of Iso tanks, capacity: 26000 litters each tank).
Several chemical products are concerned: Defoamer, Biocide, Demulsifier, Methanol, Glycol, Corrosion Inhibitor, Reverse Demulsifier...etc.
These chemical products are used in Oil Production facility.

Our concerns are as follows:
a) Is there any chemical product from the above, which shall never stored outdoor?
b) Which fire protection system shall be provided in such cases: CO2 or powder extinguisher or fire water network?
c) Shall we provide a fire detection system or not?
d) Which international code is governing the fire fighting systems of chemical products stored outdoor?

Thank you for your help.

 

[bimr]

a) not possible to ascertain without knowing the chemical and properties.
b) ditto
c) ditto
d) NFPA 30

 

[Headache2013]

Thank you bimr;

A summary of all MSDS (material safety datasheets) of all chemical products is attached to this post.

d) NFPA 30 doesn't give any requirements (from fire fighting point of view) for outdoor storage. It gives only for indoor stored chemicals.

Best Regards

 

[StoneCold]

Headache2013
What you need to do is separate off the flammable chemicals. They should have there own storage area. You probably don't need fire protection but that will depend on where the storage area is and what the local fire marshal and your insurance company think.
Some chemicals need to be kept from freezing, so that maybe a problem for your outside storage.
Some chemical mixtures are not stable and the temperature cycling from day to night causes the solutions to separate. You need to identify if you have any of these and how you can remedy the problem.
Many localities would like to see your isotainers on concrete with secondary containment.
Segregation of incompatible chemicals with separate secondary containment would be a good idea.

Regards
StoneCold

 

[chicopee]

NFPA 30 has requirements for chemical storage in detached structures. My 2015 edition has all sort of requirements.

 

[sixinjoearnold]

I work for a large defoamer manufacturer. I can only speak on behalf of the defoamers. For oil production, you typically see silicone emulsions (5-30% active), organosilicon concentrates (polyethers), some oil based products, and some powder defoamer. The organosilicone surfactant defoamer tends to have a very low freezing point, and ours has been used in temperatures below freezing. Ideally, you do not want to have a silicone emulsion defoamer in a tank outside that is in freezing. You will begin to see separation and poor performance. Conversely, if it is too hot outside, you can see that the defoamer will break down at high temperatures. This is where a powder defoamer is very handy, it comes in bags or supersacks and is not as dependent on temperatures. Fires are not typically a concern with defoamers, but the oil-based products can ignite if exposed to a flame. Typically they have a firepoint around 350*F. Let me know if you want some more info! Thanks