Interesting Project of Late

2011- Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) Process Safety Consulting - Manufacturing Plant, Illinois

Process safety management (PSM) consulting for an industry leading nationwide manufacturer of industrial fasteners for their QC/QA testing laboratory utilizing Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) for corrosion testing of components and anti-corrosion coatings. Consultative services addressing materials of compatibility, process design, process safety, Job Hazard Analysis, Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) liquefied gas cylinder safety procedures, routine process & emergency ventilation, emergency response and post-installation inspection auditing.

Process involved humid Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) corrosion testing method utilizing the Kesternich, DIN50018, 2.0L test. U.S. DOT classifies Sulfur Dioxide (UN 1079) as a poisonous (UN Class 2.3) and corrosive (UN Class 8) liquefied gas stored under pressure.

2011- Air Monitoring Consulting Services at Crude Oil Release Remediation Site

Two month on-site consulting services for major oil pipeline company to deliver site area and personnel air monitoring services to protect site remediation workers from potential Benzene (C₆H₆) vapor exposure.

Summary of work activities following is taken from one of the weekly updates produced by Destree Consulting, Inc. for the site:

"Destree Consulting, Inc. personnel continues to perform air monitoring in the remediation work area along the perimeters of, and within, the work-site and within specific personnel work activities using a Draeger CMS Analyzer for the detection of trace Benzene (C₆H₆) vapors; and BW GasAlertMax XT multiple gas (LEL, O₂, H₂S and CO) 4-gas monitors (calibrated daily). Air monitoring was conducted at multiple selected locations to address potential on-site personnel and area exposures. Real-time data using these instruments was collected for Benzene (C₆H₆) expressed in ppm, Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) expressed in ppm, Carbon Monoxide (CO) expressed in ppm, Oxygen (O₂) expressed in % by volume; and flammability as % by volume Lower Explosive Limit (LEL). Work area monitoring was conducted around workers during dayshift operations, in multiple work activity areas.

Personnel (site worker) potential Benzene (C₆H₆) exposure(s) sampling is being performed using Assay Technology’s 521-1 organic vapor passive diffusion monitors (OVPDM) following the modified 1 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) method 7 passive method specific Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and total Xylenes (BTEX). Personnel monitoring for trace Benzene (C₆H₆) exposure(s) was accomplish at work-site locations which were judged by the Destree Consulting, Inc. Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and onsite incident management to have the greatest potential(s) for exposure to Benzene vapors due to the specific work-site activities; which changed daily as necessitated by the written and EPA approved Incident Action Plan (IAP). Documented GC-FID analysis of the collected organic vapor passive diffusion monitors is being performed by an offsite AIHA-accredited laboratory with Benzene (C₆H₆) as the analyte."

Contract On-site Health and Safety Services

WC Environmental Works at U.S. Air Base

Author: William Charles Ltd.
Date posted: 7/22/2009

Paul Ezop and Jim Ward of WC Environmental Services (WCES), in conjunction with Focus Environmental of Rockford and Keith Destree, CSP of Destree Consulting, Inc. of Joliet, IL conducted a gas cylinder remediation project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, OH, in June. WPAFB is in many measures the largest, most diverse and organizationally complex base in the US Air Force. It is also one of the largest research and development facilities in the United States. The base has used a numerous array of hazardous chemicals since they began operations during the World War I era.

The remediation process included gas cylinders containing Hydrogen Bromide (HBr) and Hydrogen Fluoride (HF). Both HBr and HF, if left unused over a long period of time, can separate, build pressure and eventually explode. Pressure build up was not the only concern; these chemicals are very corrosive and toxic by nature. SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatus) and tight level-B chemical suits were used to complete the exercise and keep the team safe. The cylinders were remotely accessed by drilling a hole through the side wall. This was accomplished by submerging the cylinders under a caustic chemical solution in association with a specially devised glove box. This process safely vented the cylinders and neutralized chemicals at the same time.

The WCES team also remediated a cylinder of Tetrafluorohydrazine (a stage 3 rocket fuel). Tetrafluorohydrazine over a period of time becomes explosive as well. This cylinder was robotically placed in a cylinder casket by WPAFB Explosive Ordinance Division with the WCES team as back-up. Once stabilized, the cylinder was left at WPAFB for future destruction.

For full details click link below;

http://williamcharles.com/newsDetail.aspx?id=6196

Interesting Projects of Late