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Oxygen Valve Safety Awareness

Oxygen Valve Safety Awareness
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Oxygen Valve Safety Awareness Mitigating Fire Risk for Oxygen Valves Used in Chemical, Aerospace, Medical and Other Industrial Applications

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Oxygen systems present unique risks and safety concerns. Proper system design, materials selection, operation, and maintenance procedures are all critical in mitigating the risk of injury to personnel and damage to equipment and systems. IMPORTANT NOTE: This bulletin is intended as a starting point resource for understanding some of the risks associated with valves in oxygen systems. It does not address all possible hazardous conditions and is NOT intended as a guide for the design or use of oxygen systems. Always consult a qualified professional before specifying equipment for use in...

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Kindling Chain Reactions In a kindling chain reaction, an easily ignitable material (such as contamination in the system or a non-metallic component) burns and the energy released ignites adjacent, more burn-resistant materials. Kindling chain reactions are a function of each material’s inherent minimum ignition energy threshold, heat of combustion and heat transfer characteristics. Risk of kindling chain reactions can be mitigated, but not eliminated, following good industry practices such as the following: • Selecting materials that are within their combustion resistance limits • Ensuring...

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As the process fluid oxygen concentration increases, it becomes a more aggressive oxidizer. At concentrations greater than 23.5%, many non-metals that typically are not combustible become flammable. At concentrations above 40%, metals become more susceptible to combustion. Oxygen also becomes a more aggressive oxidizer as the pressure and/ or temperature increases. Most materials, both metallic and non-metallic, will combust in 100% oxygen with elevated pressures. Since it is not possible to remove the oxygen from an oxygen system, lowering the risk requires managing the other two legs of...

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Non-Metals Non-metals in oxygen valves include items like gaskets, packing and seals. Non-metal components require special consideration because they are easier to ignite than metals. When non-metals burn in oxygen-rich environments, the amount of energy (and the associated heat) released can be enough to ignite adjacent metals in a kindling chain reaction. Non-metal components should be avoided where possible. When non-metals are required, they should be evaluated based on ignition mechanisms possible in the system, their oxygen compatibility based on published test data, and...

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Heat Sources Localized sources of heat that can potentially ignite materials are ignition sources or ignition mechanisms in an oxygen system. A partial listing of some of these ignition sources follows. In order for an ignition mechanism to be active, all characteristic elements must be present. A brief introduction to these Mechanical Impact Heat is generated from the transfer of kinetic energy when an object with a relatively large mass or momentum strikes a non-metal component or contaminant. The impact creates localized heating at the interface between the two impacting parts. • Single,...

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Compression Heating Compression heating occurs when gas is rapidly compressed To ensure safe operation of a facility, final evaluation of from low to high pressure. Compression heating is the most efficient igniter of non-metals and contaminants. the system and components should only be performed by professionals who are qualified and have knowledge of the • Pressure ratio system design, potential hazards of the system, operation • Rapid pressurization of the system, and the Oxygen Hazards & Fire Risk Analysis • Exposed non-metal or contaminant proximate to dead end Example: A fast-opening...

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References 1) General overview a. ASTM G128-95 Standard Guide for Control of Hazards and Risks in Oxygen Enriched Systems b. CGA G-4, Oxygen 2) System design/heat sources/guidelines for minimizing ignition mechanisms (heat sources) a. ASTM MNL 36-2nd Edition Safe Use of Oxygen and Oxygen Systems: Handbook for Design, Operation, and Maintenance: 2nd Edition b. ASTM G88-13 Standard Guide for Designing Systems for Oxygen Service c. EIGA/IGC DOC 13/12/E Oxygen Pipeline and Piping Systems d. EIGA/IGC DOC 200/17 Design, Manufacture, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of Valves Used in...

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Flowserve Can Help Still have questions? Let our Oxygen Valve Evaluation Team (OVET) help. Flowserve’s OVET refines the science of oxygen service by combining our extensive valve expertise, a long history of supplying valves for oxygen service in a variety of applications, and detailed collaboration with oxygen experts. Flowserve’s globally available Oxygen Valve Evaluation Team is able to assist with valve configuration for your system design. OVET highlights: • Completed WHA International training; topics include: −−Oxygen fire hazards −−Maximize compatible materials −−Minimize ignition...

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USA and Canada Flowserve Corporation 5215 North O’Connor Blvd. Suite 2300 Irving, Texas 75039-5421 USA Telephone: +1 937 890 5839 To find your local Flowserve representative: For more information about Flowserve Corporation, visit www.flowserve.com or call +1 937 890 5839. Europe, Middle East, Africa Flowserve Corporation Parallelweg 13 4878 AH Etten-Leur The Netherlands Telephone: +31 76 502 8100 Asia Pacific Flowserve Pte. Ltd. 10 Tuas Loop Singapore 637345 Telephone: +65 6771 0600 Telefax: +65 6862 2329 FSG-148 (E) October 2017 © 2017 Flowserve Corporation Flowserve Corporation has...

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