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Setting up an emergency diffusion system for an ammonia leak
We are preparing a Level B PPE training exercise for our Federal On-Scene Coordinators (a mandatory Level B training exercise). The scenario is a forklift driver accidentally punctures an anhydrous ammonia tank and knocks the valve off a nearby anhydrous ammonia compressed gas cylinder at a fish processing facility. Responders in level B are tasked to set-up a treatment system to treat the vapors emitting from both the tank and cylinder by assembling a diffusion tank9s).
Do you have any guidance on how to set up an emergency water diffusion system for an anhydrous ammonia leak? If not, do you have a suggestion on where I could find that sort of information?
Do you have any guidance on how to set up an emergency water diffusion system for an anhydrous ammonia leak? If not, do you have a suggestion on where I could find that sort of information?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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Level B for an Anhydrous Ammonia leak? I wouldn't be anywhere near the source without Level A protection, nor train in level B to handle any aspect of the leak/spill.
PER EPA
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit(level A). (EPA, 1998)
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If you are in an area of other unknown chemicals it wouldn't hurt to add Level A with Flash protection.
Mixing of ammonia with several chemicals can cause severe fire hazards and/or explosions. Ammonia in container may explode in heat of fire. Incompatible with many materials including silver and gold salts, halogens, alkali metals, nitrogen trichloride, potassium chlorate, chromyl chloride, oxygen halides, acid vapors, azides, ethylene oxide, picric acid and many other chemicals. Mixing with other chemicals and water. Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)
I see you have been in Haz Mat for quite a lot longer than I have. Am I missing something for the proper level of protection? My CAMEO program stated the same thing about having Level A protection for handling ANY NH3.
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Permalink Reply by Irons38 on
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I have to agree with Engineco913. Always be on the safer side of things. Level B for ammonia anything to me is not fully protecting yourself. I'm not trying to bash anyone here, but who is coordinating this Hazmat drill? I think you should look over some things before you do anything.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Shane on
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You guys are merciless, but I absolutely agree with you. Understand that this drill is more about donning level B PPE and doing some tasks while on supplied air. The exercise team picked the ammonia tank and cylinder leak. Although we do exercise in level A, the Chief wanted this to be a level B exercise. The main point of the discussion is the emergency treatment of vapors and set up of a diffusion tank to try to mitigate at least some of the emissions. Is there any experience or guidance on this? I know it was done at the Morro Bay Ammonia Release Incident in 2003 (?)
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You guys are merciless, but I absolutely agree with you. Understand that this drill is more about donning level B PPE and doing some tasks while on supplied air. The exercise team picked the ammonia tank and cylinder leak. Although we do exercise in level A, the Chief wanted this to be a level B exercise. The main point of the discussion is the emergency treatment of vapors and set up of a diffusion tank to try to mitigate at least some of the emissions. Is there any experience or guidance on this? I know it was done at the Morro Bay Ammonia Release Incident in 2003 (?)
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You guys are merciless, but I absolutely agree with you. Understand that this drill is more about donning level B PPE and doing some tasks while on supplied air. The exercise team picked the ammonia tank and cylinder leak. Although we do exercise in level A, the Chief wanted this to be a level B exercise. The main point of the discussion is the emergency treatment of vapors and set up of a diffusion tank to try to mitigate at least some of the emissions. Is there any experience or guidance on this? I know it was done at the Morro Bay Ammonia Release Incident in 2003 (?)
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You guys are merciless, but I absolutely agree with you. Understand that this drill is more about donning level B PPE and doing some tasks while on supplied air. The exercise team picked the ammonia tank and cylinder leak. Although we do exercise in level A, the Chief wanted this to be a level B exercise. The main point of the discussion is the emergency treatment of vapors and set up of a diffusion tank to try to mitigate at least some of the emissions. Is there any experience or guidance on this? I know it was done at the Morro Bay Ammonia Release Incident in 2003 (?)
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I understand your feeling of us being merciless Dan. Thats my job as a trainer and educator of fire service. I am a major safety freak. My issue is that you train like you fight. In Haz Mat, you dress in training for the level of dress for an actual incident. What if (again make believe land) you end up on an incident and someone forgets your "disclaimer" and dresses a team in Level B?
The diffusion tank in question based on all accounts I have read was a 55 gallon drum with water in it. They directed the Anhydrous Ammonia into the water rendering it a "safer" substance. The problem seemed that the drum of ammonia was dumped and or let run off into some storm drains in the building they were replacing the tank in.
The leak in question was caused by a forklift operator who "jostled the tank" and caused a hole approximately the size of a pinhole in the pipes leading from the tank. If you are going to base your training evolutions on this, the team would be 100% exposed to NH3 while setting up the diffusion tank. (obviously not a safe deal)
I again understand you are simply trying to get the level B suit time in a training atmosphere but I completely disagree with your scenerio you are using to accomplish your goal. You don't train to fight structure fires with a garden hose. You don't do motor vehicle extrication with a set of tin snips, why would you practice an evolution with a chemical such as NH3 without the proper level of protection?
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Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
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Is this any different than the guys that I have seen in pictures at meth labs. You tend to see guys in level B (not even encapsuated B) pouring 5 gallon containers into pools to render the anhydrous ammonia safe for disposal. I do agree that the hazard warrants level A as well.
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