☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

Chapter
2
-

☯ General Consideration
☀ NFPA & OISD Standards
☀ Design of Storage Layout, Dyking requirements. Incompatibility Criteria
☯ Types and Safe Layout of Storages
☀ Tank layout of LPG, Chlorine, Ammonia, EO, Oleum
☀ Isolated storages
☀ Mounded storages
☀ Cryogenic storages

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

CHAPTER – 2
BULK STORAGES

☺ BULK STORAGE – GENERAL CONSIDERATION

 CONTAINMENTS
• Properties – Physical, chemical
• Hazards – health, flammability, reactivity
• Compatibility with the container and environment

 CONTAINERS
• Compatibility with the containment and environment
• Material of construction
• Shape
• Design – Codes, Standards

 MOUNTINGS
• Nozzles orientation
• Drive
• Instruments – temperature, pressure, level, flow etc

 SURROUNDINGS
• Environment – temperature, Humidity
• Protective means – fire protection, explosion barriers
• Spare container or blow – down tanks
• Flare
• Fencing
• Lighting – flameproof / non-flameproof
• Dyke
• Drainage

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 ADMINISTRATIVE FACTORS
• Fencing
• Restricted and authorized entry
• Training
• Appraisal
• Inspection & testing

☺ NFPA & OISD STANDARDS

NFPA – NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

NFPA is an internationally recognised body and their standards, codes and manuals
are followed by not only by American Government and industries but also by other
countries in the world.
The NFPA is the clearinghouse for information on the subject of Fire prevention,
Protection & Fire fighting. It is non-profit technical and educational organization with
a membership network of around 68,000 companies and individuals
The technical standards issued as a result of NFPA committee work are widely
accepted by federal, state and municipal governments as the basis of legislation
and used as a guideline of good practices.
More than 50 serve as OSHA regulations. More than 300 codes and standards are
currently issued by NFPA which are constantly reviewed and updated
The code indicates
 Relative risk to health
 Flammability
 Instability
 Possible specific hazards (symbol)
The first three aspects are assigned a value in range 0-4, the higher the value the
higher the risk.
Representative subject include
 Air conditioning and Ventilation system
 Brigades
 Flammable Chemicals data
 Industrial Fire Loss Prevention
 Life safety code handbook
 National electric code handbook
 Portable fire extinguishers
 Powered industrial trucks
 Prevention of dust explosion in industries

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

 Protection of records
 Safeguarding building construction operations
 Sprinkler system
 Organization and training private fire brigades
 Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases
 Truck fire protection
Other publications of interest to safety professionals concern hazardous materials,
fire safety to health care facilities, and public fire safety.
In addition the fire protection handbook is an authoritative encyclopaedia of fire loss
control

OISD – OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE

It is an institute set up by the ministry of Petroleum, Government of India to serve

the Oil / natural gas exploration & refinery units
It is an autonomous body entrusted with task of formulation, issue & review various
standards on Safety applicable to the above mentioned industrial units
Those standards are applicable throughout the country
Even the department of explosives are now-a-days quoting relevant OISD
standards and stipulating the requirements of enforcement of the same as part of
prior approval & license requirements for factories falling under the purview of
Petroleum Act / Rules and Explosives Act / Static & Mobile Pressure Vessel
(unfired) Rules (SMPVR)

List of available standards – refer page 28 of material given from college

☺ DESIGN OF STORAGE LAYOUT

• Separation distances from population

• Separation distances from plant
• Isolated storage
• Restricted entry
• Entry and exit of transporting vehicle
• Protective means — fire, explosion, light, lightning arrester, drainage
• Transfer distance from the user end

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

There are different types of design of storage sheds. Some are open from all sides,
some are partially open and some are closed
Considerations are
➥ FLOORS
Depending upon the load and type of operations, the conditions of the floor
such as
• Cleanliness
• Absorptive qualities
• Marking
• Colour
• Non-sparking of static disseminating properties
• Durability will give great effect on material handling
Floor used for stacking should be of sound construction, well maintained,
levelled and facilitating drainage

 Floor slope on one side or at centre for not allowing any liquid to accumulate
 Shed should be adequately ventilated as per vapour requirement
 Fire detectors at proper locations, surrounding open space for easy
movement
 Sufficient head room for fire fighting, proper stacking, sufficient lighting,
proper ventilation etc
 Sufficient room height and proper roof design according to ventilators
 Alarm system in case of fire and leakages
 Proper locking system for explosives, poisonous chemicals, radioactive etc.
 Floor slope should be connected with the drain and collection pit
 Sufficient doors and emergency exits to be provided
 Sufficient lamps and tubes for sufficient illumination
 Suitable space for truck parking during loading / unloading activities
 Gangways must be at least 60 cm wide
 Different sections with necessary partition for incompatible chemicals and for
liquid, solid and gases
 As far as possible fire proof materials of construction and electrical fittings to
be used

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
 Detached location should be preferred
 Best location – open under non combustible weather canopies
 Where detached location is not possible, fire resistant walls (a room cut off
from rest space), fire and pressure resisting construction is advisable

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

 Slopping floor with adequate lining

 Shall be well ventilated
 Automatic sprinkler protection must be applied
 Where pressure is needed adequate hose line with reducing valves should
be provided
 Steam line if heating is necessary
 Emergency showers and eye washers
 Earthing and bonding
 Suitable fire extinguishers availability at strategic locations
 Various detectors with alarm system
 Adequate bund wall should be built around tanks
 Separation distance for incompatible chemicals to be maintained
 Adequate space for free access around tanks

FLAMMABLE GASES
 Gases are generally contained in cylinders in compressed, liquefied or
dissolved state
 Cylinders are protected from sunlight, damage or deterioration and heat (so
proper roofing and room if required to be provided)
 Safe cradle on platform with guard rails should be provided for lifting
 Storage rooms should be dry, cool and adequately ventilated
 Adequate illumination and lighting should be available
 Non compatible cylinders should be stored separately using proper partition
 Various gas detectors and fire detectors with alarming system is of first
importance
 Auto sprinkler and other auto fire extinguishing system is preferable
 Adequate fire extinguisher at particular places / distances

☺ WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF DYKE

PURPOSE
 Dyke walls are required to restrict the spread of the leaking material
 To safely contain material (leaking) within its periphery and restrict the
surface area of leaking material
 To reduce its evaporation (of leaked material)
 For ease of fire fighting or other emergency control activity

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 The contained material can be safely disposed off or if it is burning, it can be

extinguished easily by reaching up to dyke wall

DESIGN & SAFETY

 Dyke walls are preferably permanent strong concrete structure
 Wall height should be less than 2 meter to facilitate evaporation & escape of
vapours from split material and ease for carrying fire fighting
 The intermediate bund walls between a group of tanks or single unit shall not
exceed 0.5 meter
 Intermediate dyke serves as safeguard against mixing of incompatible
products in case of spillage etc.
 The distance between tank periphery and dyke shall not be less than 1 meter
 Dyke wall should be safe, sound & leak proof
 Its floor should have slope
 Volume of dyke should be slightly more than the biggest tank inside
 Steps should be provided to go inside
 Acid proof lining should be provided
 Where possibility of explosion is there, impact or blast wall should be
provided
 It should have appropriate isolation valve to segregate the flow of rain water
accumulation to open sewers and oily material form tank to effluent treatment
or other salvage / disposal facility
 The dyke drainage system must ensure that water discharge is controlled by
valve or suitable pump situated outside the bund pit area
 Do not store any combustible material or any other material inside the dyke
area

☺ VARIOUS TYPES OF STORAGE

☺ TYPES AND SAFE LAYOUT OF STORAGES

Major types of storages

 Attached storage and isolated storage
 Fenced storage and Open storage
 Dyked storage and Undyked storage
 Flameproof storage and Non-flameproof storage
 Mounded storage and semi-mounded storage
 Cryogenic storage

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

ISOLATED STORAGE
“isolated storage’’ means storage where no other manufacturing process other than
storage, loading / unloading / pipe line transfer by pumping of hazardous chemical
is carried out and that storage involves at least the quantity of that chemical set out
in Schedule 2, but does not include storage associated with an installation specified
in Schedule 4 on the same site;

SCHEDULE - 2

[See rule 2(c) (ii), 4(l)(b), 4(2) (1) and 6(1) (b)]

ISOLATED STORAGE AT INSTALLATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE COVERED BY SCHEDULE 4

 The threshold quantities set out below relate to each installation or group of
installations belonging to the same occupier here the distance between
installations is not sufficient to avoid, in foreseeable circumstances, any
aggravation of major accident hazards. These threshold quantities apply in
any case to each group of installations belonging to the same occupier where
the distance between the installations is less than 500 meters.
 For the purpose of determining the threshold quantity of hazardous chemical
at an isolated storage, account shall also be taken of any hazardous
chemical which is:-
• The hold up in that part of any pipeline under the control of the
occupier having control of the site which is within 500 meters of that
site and connected to it;
• at any other site under the control of the same occupier any part of the
boundary of which is within 500 meters of the said site; and
• in any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft, under the control of the
same occupier which is used for storage purpose either at the site or
within 500 meters of it;
• But no account shall be taken of any hazardous chemical which is in a
vehicle, vessel, aircraft or a hovercraft used for transporting it.

MOUNDED STORAGE
A storage vessel which may sited above ground or partly buried and which is
completely covered by a mound of earth or similar inert material.
Mounded vessels should be covered by a suitable material which is inert, non-
corrosive, free from particles of abrasive materials likely to damage the vessel
coating and carefully consolidated to give a minimum cover of 500 mm.
The mound should protect the vessel from the effects of thermal radiation and
should be sufficiently robust to remain in place in the event of jet flame
impingement.

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Mounded vessels should be placed on a firm foundation and installed so as to

prevent movement or floatation.
The surface
rface of vessels should be suitably prepared and treated to protect them from
corrosion. Methods of protection may include surface coatings and cathodic
protection.
Mounded vessels should normally be fitted with a manhole or not less than 560 mm
internal diameter
iameter to allow access for inspection. Where a manhole is not provided,
inspection ports may be needed and it may be necessary to excavate the vessel to
thoroughly inspect it.
Vessel fittings and connections may be mounted o the manhole cover or attached
directly to the vessel. If this later, method is used, excavation may be necessary for
inspection.

Mounded storage

Semi-Mounded
Mounded storage

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

CRYOGENIC STORAGE
A storage below —40 °C is referred as cryogenic sto rage. Extreme stresses should
be considered for design of such vessel. It is so low temperature and hence likely to
cause vacuum inside the vessel and likely to cause implosion by the external
environmental pressure. Vacuum breakers or relief systems should be provided on
such vessel.

☺ TANK LAYOUT OF LPG

After chlorine and Ammonia, the third chemical of major industrial use is LPG. It is
stored as liquid and transmitted by high pressure pipeline for industrial and
domestic uses. Fire and explosion is the main hazard associated with it.

PROPERTIES
Expansion ratio: liquid LPG when exposed to normal atmospheric condition rapidly
evaporates expanding 270 times its own volume of vapours
TLV: 1000 ppm
LPG is colourless & odourless; therefore, methyl mercaptant is added to facilitate
defect presence of LPG by its foul smell.
LPG is heavier than air & hence tends to settle at ground level
LPG tank is also called as Bullet
LPG tanks can be sited above or underground (mounded)
• Bullet — for pressure in the range of 7 to 10 kg/cm2
• Sphere For high pressure storage above 15 kg/cm2
• Fully Mounded — Inerting from all the sides of the tank
• Semi-mounded — Inerting is partly

STORAGE CONSIDERATION / SAFETY ASPECTS

 LPG storage installation located above ground should be located in the open
air and in well ventilated position as per the separation distances covered
under the “static & mobile pressure vessel rules” and OISD guidelines
 Underground or mounded vessels should be located such that the manhole
and pressure relief valves are in a well ventilated position
 Vessels should not be mounted one above the other
 The ground beneath should be concreted or compacted and made free from
pits, depression, drains and culverts

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 In case refrigerated vessel is used the system must be adequately designed

to maintain specific temperature
 The shell and manhole nozzle shall be insulated with an approved type of
insulation material
 With increase in temperature, there is an increase in pressure of LPG; hence
enough vapour space should be left in both bullets & in cylinder (the vessel
shall not be liquid full)
 Should be kept away from source of heat of ignition
 For cryogenic vessel
• MOC of inner vessel shall be suitable for the service temperature and
compatible to specific cryogenic liquid
• The outer vessel shall have required structural strength and capable
of supporting the inner vessel together
• The inner supports between the inner vessel and outer vessel shall be
of non-flammable material and capable of supporting of inner vessel
and the support shall be able to withstand expansion or contraction
with the operating temperature range.
• The air in the annular space between the inner and outer vessel
should be evacuated and the space shall be filled with the suitable
insulation material
 No vessel shall be filled with permanent gas in excess of its design pressure
 Every tank / vessel shall be painted externally to prevent corrosion with a
light / heat reflecting surface (shining like silvery grey, white etc.)
 Each vessel shall have metal plate permanently fixed on it showing
• Manufacturer’s name
• Identification number
• The standard or code of designs and constructions
• Official stamp of the inspector
• Design pressure in kg/cm2
• Date(s) of first hydraulic test and subsequent tests
• Water capacity in litres
• Gas capacity filled with the liquefiable gas
• Name of chemical symbol of the gas in service
 Each vessel shall be provided with each of the following fittings
• Pressure relief valves (2 nos.) connected to vapour phase
• Safety valves
• Drains
• Contents gauge or level indicator
• Pressure gauge connected to vapour phase
• Temperature gauges
• Shut off emergency and emergency valves
• Liquid level gauging device

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

☺ TANK LAYOUT OF CHLORINE

• Cylindrical dished end, leg mounted tanks

• Dyked (deep pit)
• Refrigerated
• Insulated
• Safety valve
• Emergency spare tank
• Caustic scrubbing system
• Magnetic Ll, TI, PI
• Dew point —40 C for air transfers
PROPERTIES

Greenish yellow gas, liquid or rhombic crystal

Melting point: 101°C, boiling point: -34.5°C, densi ty: 1.47 at 0°C
TLV: 0.5 ppm, STEL: 3 ppm
It is heavier than air and hence tends to settle down
It evaporates expanding 450 times its own volume
In addition to toxicity, it poses fire hazard when react with turpentine, ether,
ammonia gas, hydrogen, powdered metal, wax, rubber, alcohol and many materials.

Being a compressed gas, all installations and tank vehicles used for storage and
transport of liquid and gaseous chlorine have to be approved and licensed under
the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessel (unfired) Rule, 1981
For bulk storage it is also called as Bullets and for Tonne storage for transportation
it is called tonner

STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS / SAFETY ASPECTS (for both)

 Storage area should be cool, dry, well ventilated, clean and protected from
external heat source
 It should be remote from elevators, gangways or ventilating systems
 Ventilation should be sufficient to prevent accumulation of vapour pockets
 As far as possible, the building for the storage of chlorine should be entirely
of non-combustible construction and separate from other buildings
 In case storage is not in separate building it should be ground floor with at
least two exits opening outside and separate from other parts of the building
by fire resistant walls and floors
 Online breathing apparatus & SCBA set must be facilitated in the area for
emergencies
 Adequate service point connected to waste-air system is necessary for taking
maintenance during leak

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 Emergency kit must be handy and in proper working condition located at

strategic points
 Chlorine detectors should be installed at strategic points with alarming
system
 Fire hydrant should be made available around the storage area

BULK STORAGE
 Appropriate minimum safety distances as stipulated in the above mentioned
rules have to be maintained
 The tank has to be installed entirely above the ground
 The bulk storage tanks must be installed near waste-air system
 At least two safety valves should be connected to the waste-air system
 Pressure indicator with alarm should be available in the control room
 If continuous supply is required, it is essential at least two tanks
 Distance between adjacent storage tanks shall be adequate
 All tanks shall be installed in a bund wall with sufficient floor slope
 Area should be planned to provide facilities for good housekeeping
 For vessel operating at low temperature lagging is required
 Chlorine leak detector must be provided at various points in storage area
 As an emergency measure, a perforated pipe, connected to blower suction
around storage tanks should be provided
 It must be capable of handling 12 bar pressure and temp -35°C to +45°C
 The storage tank capacity must be significantly greater that the capacity of
full load of liquid chlorine
 The vessel supports should be designed in accordance with the design code
to permit thermal expansion or contraction over the design temperature
range
 Branch dimensions should be limited to minimum required, particularly for
liquid line
 Manhole access should be provided on the top of the tank
 Following connections are permitted to the tank
• Liquid inlet
• Liquid outlet
• Vent lines & compressed gas lines
• Relief system
• Instrumentation and pressure gauges (fail safe instrumentation
recommended)
• The number of connections should be minimum & arrangements
should be made simple
• A back up isolation valves should be provided

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

TONNER / CONTAINER STORAGE

 Should be stored on a cement floor sloping towards a pit capable of
collecting all the liquids in the cylinders
 Area should not be wet and muddy for tonner storage
 Chlorine tonners should be stored separately from explosives, acids,
anhydrous ammonia, ether, alcohol, finely divided materials or any other non-
compatible material
 Enough space should be provided between tonners so that all are accessible
during emergency
 Shed should be covered in order to keep it away from hot sun or any other
source of heat
 Provision of storing containers on their sides on rails a few inches above the
floor to be made. They should not be stacked or racked more than one high

☺ TANK LAYOUT FOR AMMONIA

• Atmospheric pressure storage: Refrigerated, Canned type (tank in tank),

insulated
• Ambient Temperature storage: Bullet
• Pressure Storage: Sphere (leg supported, cladded, ring cladded)
• PI, Magnetic LI, TI
• Safety valves

PROPERTIES
Colourless gas, pungent smell, irritant
Melting point: -77.7°C, boiling point: -33.35°C
LEL: 16%, UEL: 25%, TLV: 25 ppm, STEL:35 ppm
Density: 0.771 g/l at 0°C
Fire hazard low, Explosion hazard moderate when exposed to flame, when heated
emits toxic fumes
To fight fire stop flow of gas

STORAGE CONDITIONS
Three methods of storages are currently used; the choice depends upon quality to
be stored
 Storage at ambient temperature and equivalent pressure n cylindrical vessel.
This method is used when relatively small quantities are involved as practical
manufacture and transport consideration limit the size of vessel

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 Storage under pressure n spherical vessel & constructed on site to hold

several thousand tonnes of ammonia. Most vessels are in range of 500 to
3000 tonnes. Refrigeration equipment may be used to lower the temperature
of Ammonia & in such cases the vessel operates at a lower temperature than
ambient temperature. Thus a type of storage is often referred to as ‘semi-
pressure’ or ‘semi-refrigerant’
 Storage at atmospheric pressure. Ammonia may be stored at atmospheric
pressure by reducing temperature to (-33°C). In thi s condition cylindrical flat
bottomed tank is used. A slight positive pressure is maintained to simplify the
operation of refrigeration system. This method of storage is considered
economical when quantities in excess 5000 tonnes are involved. Many tanks
ranges 20000 – 35000
Now-a-days double walled storage tanks are used for storage of Ammonia t ensure
safety if one wall is damaged

STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS / SAFETY ASPECTS (for both)

 Designing of layout of area with due considerations of adequate natural or

mechanical ventilation
 Use of properly selected material for construction of plant and equipment for
handling of ammonia
 Avoid contact of ammonia with certain other chemicals, including mercury,
chlorine, iodine, bromine, calcium, silver oxide and hypochlorite

INDOOR
 Storage should be cool, dry, well ventilated and protected from external heat
sources
 The building protected with automatic sprinklers, vapour tight electrical
equipment, good natural ventilation, good floor drainage and adequate
exposition venting

OUTDOOR
 Each storage area should be protected at least by one standard fire hydrant
 Area should be barricaded off from unauthorised entry
 Vents of storage tanks must lead to a safe location (e.g. scrubber etc.)
 Tanks must be located at least 15 meter away from buildings
 Should be away from flammable material storages
 Dyke of adequate capacity with slopping floor
 Fire proof electrical fittings and equipments shall be provided
 Sound foundation
 Safe guarding against direct sunlight

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 Auto shut off valves for emergencies

 Storage tanks must be designed for 15.5 bars absolute and temp. -10°C
 Suitable provisions to restrict water, ice or snow to enter and blocking vents.
 Detectors and alarm systems during leakages is of prime requirement
 Gauge of glass should be provided with excess flow check valves
 Each storage tank shall be equipped with two relief valve to safe location
 Install remote control valve at the bottom of ammonia storage tank
 Non-refrigerant ammonia shall be stored in gas tight containers
 Storage tank construction should be of integrity and double wall type known
as ‘can in tank’ type
 A flare stack should be provided to burn ammonia vapour in case safety
valve fails to release ammonia pressure
 In event of power failure, diesel generator shall be available to run the
compressor
 Arrangement of personal water drench facilities should be made with
immediate access for affected personnel

☺ TANK LAYOUT FOR ETHYLENE OXIDE

PROPERTIES
Colourless gas
Melting point: -113°C, Boiling point: 10.7°C, Flash point: -17.8°C
LEL: 3%, UEL: 100%
Density: 0.8711 at 20°C
TLV: 1 ppm
LD50(rat): 330 mg/kg, LC50(rat): 1462 ppm for 4 hours
It is toxic, flammable and explosive
Fire and explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame, vaporise rapidly at
ambient temperature, can cause cold burns and it is soluble in water

STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS / SAFETY ASPECTS

 Storage tank should be separated at least 15 mt from plants and buildings
 Collusion of vehicles should be prevented by fencing and barricade
 Ethylene Oxide is very volatile and should be stored under pressure with
adequate cooling
 Whenever possible refrigerated storage held preferably at temperatures
below boiling point of ethylene is recommended

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☺ NILAY PATEL CHAPTER – 2 BULK STORAGES

 Piping should be of “all steel” welded construction with flanged or welded

joints
 Flange joints should be minimum and there must be provision for nitrogen
purging of EO containing lines
 Whenever there is any risk of exposure to heat, pipe lines should be lagged
 Ethylene oxide in liquid form which might polymerize and choke pipe lines,
pipe runs should be fitted drain valves
 Valves should be of all steel construction, ball valves being used for shut-off
operation and globe valves for control valves
 Spillage should be directed to a remote catch pit by an impermeable and
sloppy floor
 Material of construction – stainless steel or MS aluminised from interior
 Insulation – mineral wool covered by galvanised or SS cladding
 All storage must be provided with continuous ventilation.
 Pits, depressions and basements must be avoided
 Storage tanks for EO should be protected from electrical storms and static by
grounding of the equipment
 Storage tanks should be maintained under inert atmosphere during all
transfer as well as stationary conditions
 Gaskets should be Teflon coated
 Double safety valve (at least one must be locked open) with 2 meter
discharge outlet pipe, flame arrestor on outlet and nitrogen purging
connections are required
 In emergency, for starting water spray system or circulate chilled water
thorough limpet coils or use of fire hydrant system should be provided
 Iron and steel centrifugal pumps with mechanical seal is normally
satisfactory; provision should be made such that pump do not run dry or
overheat (if pump temperature margin increases 3°C , pump should be
stopped)
 Keep away from heat, flame and ignition source (separation distance should
be maintained)
 Provision for backflow of chemicals in EO vessel should be made
 Storage tanks for ethylene oxide service should be of dedicated type unless
thoroughly cleaned and purged before utilizing for other service
 Before a tank is placed in EO service, it must be cleaned, flushed with water
and dried, and if possible cleaning may be done by citric acid
 Ethylene oxide reacts exothermically with such compounds as Alcohols,
ammonia, and organic mineral acids
 Temperature gauges with high and low temperature alarm is necessary
 Level gauges are float differential pressure type, torque type or magnetic
float type. Compound pressure and vacuum gauge is preferable

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☺ TANK LAYOUT FOR OLEUM

PROPERTIES

It is fuming heavy, yellow liquid (sulphuric acid) as H2SO4 + 80% SO3

Mostly it comes in two categories: Oleum 23% and Oleum 65%
When heated to decompose, it emits highly toxic fumes of SO2 (TLV-2 ppm and
STEL-5 ppm)
It reacts with water or steam to produce heat and toxic & corrosive fumes TLV - 1
ppm
It is highly irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membrane and via oral and inhalation
routes
It can cause dangerous fire hazard by chemical reaction with reducing agents and
carbohydrates
It can cause explosion by chemical reaction with acetic acid, acetic anhydride,
acetonitrile, acrolein, acrylic acid, aniline and many other chemicals

STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS / SAFETY ASPECTS

 Dyke with slopped ground floor is required to contain storage tank
 The sloop should end in a sump having drain valve facility approachable from
outside
 The drain should discharge into an acid resistant neutralization sump of
adequate sixe
 Acid proof lining in dyke is necessary
 Storage should be located in the open or well ventilated area or sheds
 Natural ventilation is sufficient
 All tanks should be placed squarely on sound foundation and raised off the
ground by at least two layers of acid resistant bricks
 Each tank must be provided with a vent of sufficient capacity
 Tank vent is to be connected with a sulphuric acid tank or scrubber with
strong H2SO4 to prevent discharge of fuming SO3
 Vent line of oleum of more than 45% concentration needs steam tracing to
prevent freezing of SO3
 A roof is required to protect form rain water
 Nearby safety shower and eye washer is of most importance
 To contain spillage ample quantity of sand or slaked lime or sodium
carbonate should be kept aside

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 Electrical wiring should be made of acid resistant insulation and encased in

rigid metal or PVC conduits
 For inspection purpose, the tank top must be accessible by an independent
metallic ladder / stair case without the need for a person directly stepping on
the tank roof which is vulnerable to corrosion / damage and consequent
failure
 No water or wood dust spray system on leaking oleum should be provided
 Self breathing apparatus and acid proof hand gloves, aprons, and gum boots
must be made available in storage area
 Level indicator and identification of content should be provided
 Remote control isolation valve at the bottom outlet or no bottom outlet and
submersible pump on the top outlet are desirable
 The flanges on the acid pipe lines should be so covered that any leakage
may not cause spray of acid, if flanges are above working and moving
surfaces, catch pots with adequate drain pipes may be provided to avoid
dripping of acid on body parts

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PDIS-204 ADVANCED SAFETY MANAGEMENT & ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES