Taylor-Wharton Bulk Tank Safety Data User Manual
SAFETY FIRST
Bulk Tank Safety Data
Special Notice
This booklet is intended for personnel who are familiar
with cryogenic liquefied gases and the handling of
cryogenic fluids. If you are not familiar with the principles
of operation and safe practices for this equipment, we
urge you to read and fully understand the Safety Precautions and reference publications and reference publications in this manual before attempting operation or
maintenance.
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Table of Contents
Principles of Safe Operation ........................................... 3
Safety Precautions Liquefied Gases ............................ 3
Installation Safety ............................................................ 9
Functional Descriptions ................................................... 10
Initial Filling Safety .......................................................... 12
Maintenance Safety ........................................................ 13
Moving the Tank .............................................................. 15
Special Notice:
Failure to use and operate this equipment in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions and industry standards can lead to serious
injury or death.
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Principles of Safe Operation
Cryogenic systems present potential hazards which the users must understand and
consider when operating such systems. Thorough understanding of the potential
hazards and the safety precautions necessary to prevent accidents is absolutely
essential. All persons involved in the operation and maintenance of the system must
read and understand the safety precautions contained in this booklet and the
reference publications listed herein. Complete familiarity with the equipment of the
system is also necessary. All operators must carefully read and understand the
pertinent instructions before proceeding with their work.
To protect personnel and equipment, observe the following points:
1. Operate the equipment with competent operators, adequately trained
and properly supervised. Never allow unqualified persons to attempt to
operate or repair the system
2. Keep the equipment in good operating condition. Schedule regular
inspections and correct any discrepancies promptly. Keep a record of
all inspections and repairs as described in the Maintenance Section of
this booklet.
3. Establish and maintain an effective program for handling possible
emergency situations. Conduct simulated emergency drills to ensure
that operating personnel are familiar with the emergency action plan.
4. When field installed options are incorporated with the tank installation,
full consideration must be given to providing adequate safety relief
devices.
Safety Precautions - Liquid Gases
The following safety precautions are for your protection. Before performing installation,
operating, or maintenance procedures, read and follow all safety precautions in this
booklet and in reference publications. Failure to observe all safety precautions can
result in property damage, personal injury, or possible death. It is the responsibility of
the purchaser of this equipment to adequately warn the user of the precautions and
safe practices for the use of this equipment and the cryogenic fluid being used.
Extreme cold can cause frostbite injury. Accidental contact with cryogenic liquid or
cold issuing gas may cause a freezing injury similar to frostbite. Handle the liquid
so that it wont splash or spill. Protect your eyes and cover the skin where the
possibility of contact with the liquid, cold pipes and cold equipment or the cold
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gas exists. Safety goggles or a face shield should be worn around cryogenic equipment.
Ejection or splashing may occur, or cold gas may be released from equipment. Clean
insulated gloves that can be easily removed and long sleeves are recommended for arm
protection. Cuffless trousers should be worn outside boots or over the shoes to shed
spilled liquid. If clothing should be splashed with liquid oxygen or otherwise saturated, the
clothing will be highly flammable and easily ignited. While the concentrated oxygen
remains, air out the clothing immediately, removing it if possible. Do not consider
saturated clothing safe for at least 30 minutes.
For more detailed information concerning safety precautions and safe practices to be
observed when handling cryogenic liquids, consult CGA pamphlet P-12 Handling
Cryogenic Liquids (see page 15).
Liquid Oxygen
Oxygen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be condensed into a liquid at
the low temperature of -297°F (-183°C) under normal atmospheric pressure. Approxi-
mately one-fifth of normal air is oxygen. As a liquid, oxygen is a pale blue color.
Oxygen causes fire to burn rapidly. Oxygen is non-flammable but vigorously
accelerates the burning of combustible materials. Keep combustibles away from oxygen
and eliminate ignition sources. Many substances which do not burn normally in air require
only a quick spark or moderate heat to set them aflame in the presence of concentrated
oxygen. Other substances which are only moderately combustible in air can burn violently
when a high percentage of oxygen is present.
Do not permit smoking or open flame in any area where liquid oxygen is present. Keep
all organic materials including hydrocarbons and other flammable substances away from
contact with liquid nitrogen. Some of the materials that can react violently with oxygen are
oil, grease, kerosene, cloth, wood, paint, tar and dirt which contains oil or grease. Under
certain conditions, flammable materials which have been permeated with liquid oxygen
are impact sensitive and can detonate if subject to shock.
Keep area surfaces clean to prevent ignition. As normal industrial soot and dirt can
constitute a combustion hazard, all equipment surfaces must be kept very clean. Do not
install oxygen equipment on asphalt surfaces or allow grease or oil deposits on concrete
surfaces in the vicinity of the oxygen equipment. Equipment to be used in contact with
liquid nitrogen should be handled only with clean gloves or hands washed clean of oil.
Replacement parts must be suitable for oxygen service. Many materials, especially
some non-metallic gaskets and seals constitute a combustion hazard when in oxygen
service, although they may be acceptable for use with other cryogenic liquids. Make no
substitutions for recommended spare parts. Also, be sure all replacement parts are
thoroughly Clean for Oxygen Service (see page 15).
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Observe safety codes when locating oxygen equipment. Prior to installation, become
thoroughly familiar with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard No.
50, Bulk Oxygen Systems (see page 15), and with all local safety codes. The NFPA
Standard covers the general principles recommended for installation of bulk oxygen
systems on industrial and institutional consumer premises.
Liquid Nitrogen and Liquid Argon
Nitrogen is an inert, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas which makes up four-fifths of
the air you breathe. Liquid nitrogen is obtained by cooling air until it becomes a liquid
and the removing the oxygen which makes up most of the other fifth of air. Liquid
nitrogen is at a temperature of -320°F (-196°C) under normal atmospheric pressure.
Liquid argon is an inert gas whose physical properties are very similar to nitrogen and
represents about 1% of the air you breathe.
Keep equipment area well ventilated. Although nitrogen and argon are non-toxic and
non-flammable, they can cause asphyxiation in a confined area without adequate
ventilation. Any atmosphere which does not contain enough oxygen for breathing can
cause dizziness, unconsciousness, or even death. Nitrogen and argon are colorless,
odorless, and tasteless and cannot be detected by the human senses. They will be
inhaled normally as if gas were air. Without adequate ventilation, the expanding gas will
displace the normal air without warning that a non life-supporting atmosphere is
present. Store liquid containers outdoors or in other well-ventilated areas.
Dispose of waste liquid and argon safely. Dispose of waste liquefied gases out-ofdoors where cold temperature cannot damage floors or driveways and where they will
evaporate rapidly. An outdoor pit filled with clean sand or gravel will evaporate liquid
nitrogen and argon safely and quickly.
Liquid Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a flammable, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas which may be
condensed into a liquid at the very low temperature of -423°F (-253°C) under normal
atmospheric pressure. Gaseous hydrogen is always present where there is liquid
hydrogen. Hydrogen gas burns with a pale blue, almost invisible flame when mixed with
air or other oxidizers, and is explosive over a wide range of mixture.
Eliminate hydrogen accumulation and ignition sources.
Concentrations of hydrogen between 4% and 75% by volume in air are relatively easy to
ignite by a low-energy spark. Smoking, open flames, unapproved electrical equipment,
and other ignition sources must not be permitted in hydrogen areas. Possible ignition by
electrostatic sparks must be prevented by earthgrounding all hydrogen storage
and handling equipment. Hydrogen containers should be stored outdoors in
well-ventilated areas.
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