HANDBOOK OF. Compressed Gases

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1 HANDBOOK OF Compressed Gases

2 Notice The information contained in this Handbook was obtained from technical sources believed to be reliable, and is based on technical information and experience available at the time of publication from members of the Compressed Gas Association, Inc. and others. Readers are cautioned to refer to any applicable CGA technical pamphlets. These pamphlets are reviewed on a periodic basis and are the official statement of policy by the Association on a particular matter. Neither the Association, its members, nor the publisher guarantee any results, make any representations regarding the accuracy of, or assume any liability or responsibility in connection with, the information or suggestions contained in this Handbook. It should not be assumed that every acceptable commodity grade, test or safety procedure or method, precaution, equipment or device is contained within, or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or suggest further requirements or additional procedures. The Compressed Gas Association, its members, and the publisher shall in no event be liable for any personal injury, property or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication or use of or reliance upon this Handbook.

3 HANDBOOK OF Compressed Gases Third Edition COMPRESSED GAS ASSOCIATION Arlington, Virginia CHAPMAN & HALL I(jJP An International Thomson Publishing Company New York Albany Bonn Boston Cincinnati Detroit London Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Pacific Grove Paris San Francisco Singapore Tokyo Toronto Washington

4 Copyright 1990 by Compressed Gas Association, Inc. Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1990 This edition published by Chapman & Hall, New York, NY For more information contact: Chapman & Hall 115 Fifth Avenue New York, NY Thomas Nelson Australia 102 Dodds Street South Melbourne, 3205 Victoria, Australia Nelson Canada 1120 Birchmount Road Scarborough, Ontario Canada MIK 5G4 International Thomson Editores Campos Eliseos 385, Piso 7 Col. Polanco Mexico D.F. Mexico Chapman & Hall 2-6 Boundary Row London SEI 8HN England Chapman & Hall GmbH Postfach D Weinheim Germany International Thomson Publishing Asia 221 Henderson Road #05-10 Henderson Building Singapore 0315 International Thomson Publishing - Japan Hirakawacho-cho Kyowa Building, 3F Hirakawacho-cho Chiyoda-ku, 102 Tokyo Japan All rights reserved. No part of this book covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means--graphh electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems--without the written permission of the publisher XXX Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Handbook of compressed gases / Compressed Gas Association.--3rd ed. P. Cm. ISBN -13: e-isbn-13 : DOl: / Gases, Compressed. I. Compressed Gas Association. TP761.C65H dc20 CIP Visit ChapmJln & Hall on the Internet To order this or any other Chapman & Hall book, please contact International Thomson Publishing, 7625 Empire Drive, Florence, KY Phone (606) or Fax: (606) order@chaphall.com. For a complete listing of Chapman & Hall titles, send your request to Chapman & Hall, Dept. BC, 115 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10(

5 Foreword In the field of compressed gases and related equipment, there is an expanding core of essential knowledge that people handling and using these materials should be familiar with or should know where to find when necessary. The focus of this book concerns the properties and the accepted means of transportation, storage, and handling of compressed gases. This Handbook is simultaneously intended as an overview of the subject and a source of supplementary information. It is also intended to serve as a guide to pertinent federal regulatory requirements and published standards of the Compressed Gas Association and other standards-writing bodies. Readers are advised that the CGA technical pamphlets remain the official statement of policy by the Association on a particular matter. Reference is made throughout this text to the numerous technical pamphlets published by the Compressed Gas Association. Some of these publications have been incorporated by reference into federal, state, provincial, and local regulations. Since these pamphlets are reviewed on a periodic basis, wherever the text of this Handbook may be found in conflict with corresponding information in the CGA technical pamphlets, the latter shall take precedence. v

6 Preface Most people in our society never stop to consider just how widespread the use of industrial and medical gases has become. Recall the familiar oxy-acetylene torch used to replace a muffler or weld the steel frame of a building, the portable oxygen pack giving mobility to those with respiratory problems and similar equipment for breathing used by firefighters and underwater divers, the carbon dioxide cylinder under every restaurant counter putting the bubbles into our soft drinks, and the less obvious refrigerant gases that ensure the preservation of food in our refrigerators. These are but a few of the more common and innumerable ways in which society has employed gaseous substances for the betterment of mankind. More uses will be mentioned in Chapter 1 of this book. This third edition of the Handbook of Compressed Gases comes at a time when the uses of compressed gases continue to grow as fast as new technologies emerge. For example, gases known only as scientific curiosities a few decades ago are now routinely used in semiconductor and other high-technology manufacturing. An increasing awareness of possible applications and the necessary understanding required to implement these applications continues to emerge. New concerns result in changing regulations covering the transportation, handling, and use of these materials. This third edition of the Handbook is an attempt to keep pace with these changes. In 1988, the Compressed Gas Association observed its 75th Anniversary. Throughout the years since its inception, those who have led the Association have reaffirmed and steadfastly adhered to its foremost objective of enhancing the safety of the industry. In general, this goal is pursued through activities aimed at fulfilling the Association's purposes as stated in its Constitution: To develop, promote and coordinate technical, educational and standards activities in the compressed gas industry; to promote public and occupational safety; to safeguard public and private property and the environment; and to cooperate with other trade and technical organizations in safety and technical matters, standards activities and public programs relating to the compressed gas industry. The publication of this edition of the Handbook of Compressed Gases is once again derivative of this intent. The pervasiveness of compressed gas utilization means that thousands of people come into contact with such gases during the course of their daily lives. Many of these people may have no particular technical or chemical expertise and yet they are dealing with potentially very hazardous materials: hazardous by virtue of pressure, flammability, oxygen deficiency, corrosivity, toxicity, and other physical and chemical properties. The compressed gas industry is extremely proud of the fact that, despite this wide range of hazards, the safety record of its products is among the best in general industry. vii

7 viii Preface This edition of the Handbook represents a thorough revision and comprehensive expansion of the text. It aims to provide both trained engineers or scientists, and those without detailed technical training or experience, a basic understanding of the properties, safety considerations, and regulatory framework concerning compressed gases and compressed gas equipment. For the reader who requires a more in-depth knowledge on specific topics, this Handbook will provide a useful guide to the standards and recommended practices published by the Compressed Gas Association and other organizations. The Association is indebted to Handbook Committee Chairman Frank J. Heller (Bartlesville, Oklahoma), whose perseverance and leadership have been marked by distinction, not only during the preparation of this edition, but through several decades of contribution to the compressed gas industry. Also Handbook Committee Vice Chairmen Allen L. Mossman and A. J. Nathanielsz are to be commended for the substantial effort they expended to review and suggest improvements to the many pages of draft manuscript. Many valuable contributions were made by numerous other technical experts within the membership of the Association. Among these, Robert J. Engstrom, William S. Kalaskie, David N. Simon, Felix Smist, Edward Van Schoick, William West, and Lionel Wolpert deserve special thanks. Harrison T. Pannella, CGA Staff Manager, should be acknowledged for his coordination of the Handbook Committee, and for combining his technical and editorial skills to produce this edition. The Compressed Gas Association gratefully acknowledges E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. for its help in preparing vapor pressure curves for many of the gases covered in this book. Likewise, the Association is grateful to AGA Gas Inc. for permission to reprint the text in Chapter 3. The contributors to this book have endeavored to provide the most accurate information available. These efforts notwithstanding, we recognize that such works are generally not without error, whether due to the difficulties of compiling complex technical data into a finished publication, or merely from the passage of time and changes in the body of technical information itself. We therefore welcome being advised of any errors detected by readers and appreciate the citation of relevant reference sources where applicable. Carl T. Johnson, President Compressed Gas Association, Inc.

8 Introduction The Handbook of Compressed Gases is intended to serve the needs of a wide audience. Among others, this group will include laymen, teachers and students, workers and sl,lpervisors in many industrial sectors, scientists and engineers, and managerial personnel. The broad range of people who may have occasion to become familiar with the subject of compressed gases and compressed gas equipment is indicative of the pervasive role these materials play throughout our society. Much diversity in the amount of formal technical training will also be found within these groups. There will also be differences in the interests of readers, especially between those within the industry, who often have acquired considerable familiarity with the subject over the years, and on the other hand, readers who may be approaching the subject for the first time. In an attempt to satisfy the needs of all such readers, this Handbook has been divided into four parts. The contents of each part will be briefly described in the Part Introductions. By structuring the book in this way, the contributors hope to enable readers to better focus on a particular area and level of interest. References to regulations, standards, and other citations are indicated by bracketed numbers within the text. These references are listed in accordance with their order of appearance at the end of each chapter or gas monograph. ix

9 Contents Foreword Preface Introduction v vii ix PAR T I. Compressed Gases and Related Equipment 1 CHAPTER 1. COMPRESSED AND LIQUEFIED GASES TODAY 3 Introduction 3 Major Families of Compressed Gases 6 Safety Programs 11 Units of Measure 13 Reference 13 CHAPTER 2. REGULATIONS PERTAINING To COMPRESSED GASES 14 Introduction 14 Transportation Regulations 15 Medical Gas and Medical Device Regulations 20 Employee Safety and Health Regulations 21 SterilantiFumigant Gas Regulations 22 References 22 CHAPTER 3. GENERAL PROPERTIES OF GASES 24 Equations of State 24 Thermodynamic Functions 25 Critical Properties 32 Transport Properties 34 Physical and Chemical Properties 36 Determination of Moisture Content 39 References 41 CHAPTER 4. COMPRESSED GAS CONTAINERS AND ApPURTENANCES Introduction Cylinders and Small Containers Regulators and Control Valves for Cylinders and Other Containers Containers for Shipping by Rail in Bulk Cargo Tanks and Tube Trailers Portable Tanks and ISO Containers Containers for Shipping by Water in Bulk Cryogenic Containers Stationary Storage Containers xi

10 xii Contents Pipelines References CHAPTER 5. SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR COMPRESSED GASES AND CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS 70 Introduction 70 General Safety Considerations for Compressed Gases 71 Liquefied Compressed Gases 74 Cryogenic Liquids 75 Flammable Gases 79 Inert Gases 82 Oxygen and Oxidizing Gases 83 Poison (Toxic) Gases 84 Corrosive Gases 85 OSHA, FDA, EPA, and Canadian Department of Health and Welfare Regulations 85 Emergency Response 86 Safety Training 90 References 91 PART II. Specific Technical Information for Compressed Gas Equipment 93 CHAPTER 6. HANDLING BULK SHIPMENTS OF LIQUEFIED COMPRESSED GASES 95 Introduction 95 Personnel and Training 96 General Precautions 97 Tank Cars 98 Initial Precautions at Rail Loading and Unloading Racks 100 Unloading Tank Cars 101 Handling Multi-Unit Tank Cars 104 Cargo Tanks 106 Return of Empty Transport Equipment 108 Special Precautions for Specific Gases 108 References 114 CHAPTER 7. PRESSURE RELIEF AND SAFETY DEVICES 115 Introduction 115 Pressure Relief Devices for Compressed Gas Cylinders 115 Pressure Relief Devices for Cargo and Portable Tanks 121 Pressure Relief Devices for Compressed Gas Storage Containers 130 Other Safety Devices 131 References 132 CHAPTER 8. CYLINDER VALVE, CYLINDER ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT, AND BULK TRANSFER CONNECTIONS 133 Introduction 133 Cylinder Valve Outlet Connections 133 Cylinder Valve Inlet Connections 140

11 Contents xiii Cylinder Ancillary Equipment Connections Bulk Transfer Connections References CHAPTER 9. COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS: MARKING, LABELING, INSPECTION, TESTING, FILLING, DISPOSITION Introduction Precautionary Labeling and Marking of Compressed Gas Containers Visual Inspection of Compressed Gas Cylinders External Inspection Internal Inspection Hydrostatic Testing of Cylinders and Tubes Filling Compressed Gas Cylinders Disposition of Unserviceable Cylinders with Known Contents References CHAPTER 10. CLEANING COMPONENTS, EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS FOR OXYGEN SERVICE Introduction Objectives Factors for Selecting a Cleaning Method Cleaning Operations Cleaning Methods Mechanical Cleaning Chemical Cleaning Inspection Procedures Packaging and Labeling Personnel Safety References PAR T III. Compressed Gases and Gas Mixtures: Properties, Manufacture, Uses, and Special Requirements for Safe Handling 209 Acetylene 213 Air 223 Ammonia (Anhydrous) 231 Argon 253 Arsine 259 Boron Trichloride 265 Boron Trifluoride 270 1, 3-Butadiene (Butadiene) 276 Carbon Dioxide 284 Carbon Monoxide 301 Carbon Tetrafluoride 307 Chlorine 310 Diborane 322 Dichlorosilane 327 Ethane 334 Ethylene 340

12 xiv Contents Ethylene Oxide Fluorine Fluorocarbons Helium Hydrogen Hydrogen Bromide Hydrogen Chloride, Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride Hydrogen Sulfide Liquefied Petroleum Gases Methane MAPP Gas Methylamines (Anhydrous) Methyl Bromide Methyl Chloride Nitric Oxide Nitrogen Nitrogen Dioxide Nitrogen Trifluoride Nitrous Oxide Oxygen Phosgene Phosphine Rare Gases: Krypton, Neon, Xenon Silane Sulfur Dioxide Sulfur Hexafluoride Vinyl Chloride Gas Mixtures PART IV. Appendices 595 Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms 597 Appendix 2: List of Abbreviations 602 Appendix 3: State Regulatory Agencies and Codes 603 Appendix 4: Publications of the Compressed Gas Association 626 Index 635