⎪ Minerals processing and materials handling ⎪
or contracted quickly to match the changing numbers of onsite people needing protec- tion,” he says. Farquhar cites an example from India, where an emergency procedure dictates that 150 people are required to enter a safe environment within two minutes of a release. “We had to design dual rapid entry airlocks rather than having a door system; enabling large numbers of people to enter quickly and efficiently without contaminating the inner refuge,” he explains. Turning attention towards the transition to decarbonising the energy landscape, he says that Australia and South Africa have excellent wind and solar resources and a lot of companies see this as an ideal opportunity to invest in green hydrogen and green ammonia. “I was recently called in to speak with a group looking to use ammonia for its maritime decarbonisation programme. There are a lot of companies getting involved in these gases for the first time and they are looking for advice on how best to handle the associated risks,” he explains. Hydrogen has a low density, so for trans- portation purposes, ammonia (NH 3 ) is more easily handled. While it can be used directly as a fuel, hydrogen can also be stripped out of the ammonia for direct use. “All the technologies involved have started to gain traction with developers and investors,” Farquhar tells MechChem Africa. “We see this as a new and important area of development. It is very challenging, though. Ammonia is likely to be used as a fuel for heavy logistics, the rail and shipping networks, for example. Road based transport would prob- ably use hydrogen directly, supported by a new and innovative refuelling infrastructure,” he predicts. A customised ChemSAFE shelter has al- ready been supplied to a port facility tasked with ammonia transfer from vessels. The ChemSAFE chamber sits on wheels on the wharf so it can be strategically positioned close to the ship being unloaded. This ensures the dock workers can get into a sheltered at - mosphere quickly should the ammonia breach containment. Hydrogen, he notes, which is much lighter than air, tends to dissipate quickly when released and is only a blast hazard if ignited after mixing with oxygen. This will happen if the mixing occurs while the hydrogen is contained. Also dangerous, though, is the secondary fire or blast hazard: when a flame produced where a hydrogen leaks into the air ignites another area of the plant, for example. Farquhar goes on to say that while users tend to have some safety systems in place, the companies around them often feel vulnerable. “Increasingly, we are hearing from people who do not actually own the chemical, but are
accident!’ These days, not only are business owners accountable for the people injured or killed, but if any lack of diligence is uncov - ered, their license to operate is likely to be withdrawn. Accidents are also particularly damaging with respect to public perception, so the effects of any major accident can be felt for a long time,” he warns. “The MineARC and ChemSAFE range can protect against all of these risks,” he concludes. q
seeking advice on how to deal with over-the- fence hazards,” he notes. “In Indonesia, for example, we have a cus- tomer alongside a chemical plant that stores and uses highly toxic chemicals. I know how serious their hazards can be, and it makes me feel much more comfortable knowing that this company now has access to our shelters, “ he tells MechChem Africa. “There is a well-known saying: ‘If you think safety is expensive, wait until you have an
ChemSAFE chambers are surface-based solutions for the oil and gas and chemical industries, designed to protect against releases such as chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen sulphide and other chemicals that can be lethal or cause permanent damage.
Most ChemSAFE shelters are designed for 12 hours or less of safe refuge based on specific site requirements.
January-February 2022 • MechChem Africa ¦ 23
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker