SECTION S

WORK METHOD PROCEDURES Revised March, 2005

Purge the vessel until the exh gases no longa show hydrocarbons or toxic material on a chemicalreactiontube.

CAUTION:

COMBUSTIBLE GAS DETECTORS REQUIRE OXYGEN TO WORK BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY

BURN THE HYDROCARBONS PRESENT IN THE SAMPLE. WHEN PURGING OUT OF OR INTO
SERVICE, THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH OXYGEN IN THE VENT GAS STREAM FOR THE DETECTOR
TO READ ANYTHING BUT ZERO. DO NOT USE THIS TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY TO MONITOR THE
PROGRESS OF A PURGE, BUT INSTEAD USE CHEMICAL REACTION TUBES (DRAEGER, GASTECH ETC.)

(ü) FiU and Dump

Displace hydrocarbon vapour by filling the isolated vessel with non-combustible gas to approximately 30 psi after
ensuring that the vessel isratedforthat pressure. AUow residence time of 5 mmutes for dry gas, or 2 hours when Uquid
hydrocarbons are present, and then dump or vent. These long residence times for liquid hydrocarbons are approximate,
and may need to be adjusted dependmg on how weU the liquid diffuses into the purge gas. Repeat this process until the
hydrocarbon vapour is reduced below the explosive limit. Measure tiie amount of hydrocarbon in the dumped gas using
a Draeger (or similar) chemical reaction tube.

If the vessel is to be entered, aü must be purged through it after the non combustible purge and before entry. Whüe the
mixture is not combustible, it could stiU present a toxic hazard. Purge with air until below 100 ppmtotalhydrocarbon,
or wear breathing protection. The hydrocarbon vapour level must be monitored atregularintervals as conditions
dictate when someone is in the vessel.

(Ui) Continuous Purge

Continuous purge can shorten the amount of time required over the fill and dump method. The mechanical action of a
moving solvait mayremovehydrocarbons more quiddy than by the static diffusion required by fill and dump, but wUl
require considerably more inert gas. Monitor the vent gases with chemicalreactiontubes for completion of purge.

Purgmg Pipelines

(i)General Procedures

For dry gas pipelmes (like sales gas), aü can be used for a purge medium providing the procedure is as described in
section 7.3(v). Do not purge with aü if there are any hydrocarbon hquids in the Une. The air purge wUl not displace
these hydrocarbons and explosive mixtures wiUformas the Uquid vaporizes.

For Unes containing hydrocarbon liquids, displace the Uquid with a pig first and then follow with aü.

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