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BOMMI-PRD-03.0003-rev.00
Methanol Operations
BOMMI-PRD-03.0003
Table of Contents
1
Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Scope ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Description ................................................................................................................................................ 5
4.1
What is Methanol............................................................................................................................... 5
4.1.1
Overriding considerations ........................................................................................................... 5
4.1.2
Special provisions and protective measures .............................................................................. 5
4.2
Nitrogen ............................................................................................................................................. 6
4.3
4.4
Records ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Related documents................................................................................................................................... 8
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1 Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to promote the safe handling of methanol in order to protect your health,
your workplace and the environment. It presents current information on Methanols properties, potential
environmental, health and safety hazards, safe handling practices, emergency response procedures and
communication risk. It also highlights the danger of producing nitrogen in confined spaces. However, this
procedure is not intended to be a substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
2 Scope
This procedure is applicable to:
All BOURBON line management, operating and/or managing vessels, which are capable of carrying
Methanol;
All BOURBON vessels with approved Methanol tanks/systems and Nitrogen producing plant.
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4 Description
The following elements of this section shall be taken in consideration when developing the operation and the
specific methanol manuals.
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Hoses shall be grounded in methanol loading and unloading situations. Methanol is not a static
accumulator. Electrical conductivity of methanol is relatively high when compared to that of most fuel
materials.
4.2 Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u.
Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and mostly inert gas at standard conditions, constituting
78.08% by volume of Earth atmosphere.
UN number is 1066 (See MSDS PRAXAIR P- 4631-H).
Rapid release of nitrogen gas into an enclosed space can displace oxygen, and therefore represents an
asphyxiation hazard. This may happen with few warning symptoms, since the human carotid body relatively
slow and a poor low-oxygen (hypoxia) sensing system. An example occurred shortly before the launch of the
first Space Shuttle mission in 1981, when two technicians lost consciousness and died after they walked into
a space located in the Shuttle's Mobile Launcher Platform that was pressurized with pure nitrogen as a
precaution against fire. The technicians would have been able to exit the room if they had experienced early
symptoms from nitrogen-breathing.
Large volumes of nitrogen gas are evolved from small volumes of liquid nitrogen (1 litre of liquid giving 0.7 m3
of vapour) and this can easily replace normal air in poorly ventilated areas leading to the danger of
asphyxiation. It should be noted that oxygen normally constitutes 21% of air. Atmospheres containing less
than 10% oxygen can result in brain damage and death (the gasping reflex is triggered by excess carbon
dioxide and not by shortage of oxygen), levels of 18% or less are dangerous and entry into regions with
levels less than 20% is not recommended (Notices are posted in the stairwell altering lab workers to the
dangers in case of Oxygen deficiency alarm sounding).
Oxygen Content
(Volume %)
21%
Normal breathing
17%
12-16%
11-14%
8-11%
6-8%
0-6%
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5 Records
N/A
6 Related documents
Approved by
(job title)
Validated by
Revision
(N and date)
Changes
(chapter/reference)
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