Gases Under Pressure: Why we need to manage the risks Philip Brickell, General Secretary European Industrial Gases Association

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1 Gases Under Pressure: Why we need to manage the risks Philip Brickell, General Secretary European Industrial Gases Association ISSA Workshop, Frankfurt, Germany 20 June 2012

2 Gases under pressure Manufacture Storage Transport Distribution Handling Use Sources: Air Products, The Linde Group 2

3 Unique Characteristic of Gases» Gases will expand indefinitely but when contained» Will take the shape of and completely fill the entire volume of any container in which they are confined.» Will exert a pressure uniformly against the walls of the containment vessel. 3

4 Pressure is a useful characteristic of gases» Gases are used under pressure» because of the economies and benefits of delivering it to the point of use under pressure, and» because pressure is the property of the gas that an end user needs. Source: The Linde Group Source: The Linde Group 4

5 The use of gases under pressure is increasing worldwide for many reasons» Ease of use» Economic reasons» Environmental reasons» Liquefied and permanent gases» Applications» Pressure as the property high pressure e.g. dispensing, propulsion low pressure e.g. exclusion of atmosphere» Hydrogen fuel» Healthcare and mobility 5

6 Increasing pressures» Improvements in materials and manufacturing technologies have allowed the pressures at which gases are handled to increase,» Meeting the need for improved economics and efficiency in the industry, but» with a consequent increase in the potential risks.» Steel has been the predominant cylinder construction material for 120 years» Aluminium and composites are allowing higher pressures and lighter weights e.g.» 300 bar for medical and industrial gases» bar for hydrogen fuel 6

7 Benefits of increasing pressures 150 bar ~7 m 3 Gas 200 bar ~9m 3 Gas 300 bar ~15 m 3 Gas Source: Air Products 7

8 Benefits of handling gases at pressure... efficiency at work Both containers could hold up to 10m 3 of gas Source: Quirky China News / Rex Features Source: The Linde Group 8

9 Benefits of handling gases at pressure... treatment at home Source: The Linde Group High pressure gas in small portable lightweight gas cylinders allows treatment at home and patient mobility 9

10 Benefits of handling gases at pressure... transportation Source: The Linde Group Source: Quirky China News / Rex Features Hydrogen now used as a fuel at bar pressure for fuel cell powered buses. 10

11 But where there are benefits there are also risks» Hazard» A gas under any pressure is a source of energy waiting to be released and therefore a hazard and a potential risk if the release is not controlled.» Sudden or uncontrolled release of high pressure gas can cause serious injury or death and considerable property damage. 11

12 But where there are benefits there are also risks» We cannot eliminate the risk unless we remove the pressure, but we can analyse, understand and minimise the risks» Three questions:» Is there a real risk here?» Can we reduce the risk by reducing the pressure? Low pressure = low hazard = reduced risk?» What is low pressure, what is high pressure? 12

13 Incidents and consequences and causes

14 Uncontrolled gas release» pressure shock wave released and debris flying from the container may» severely injure or kill anyone nearby, or» cause major property damage destruction of walls, roofs, building collapse, damage to pipework, equipment destruction of motor vehicles 14

15 Integrity of gas container risk of corrosion» Long term effect of corrosion is weakening of the containment vessel / system to the point that an uncontrolled release can take place.» corrosion,» chemical attack» mechanical damage.» Sudden or uncontrolled release of a corrosive gas can cause serious injury or death and considerable property damage. 15

16 Lack of maintenance or improper operation» EIGA Safety Information highlights the incidents that have occurred and the precautions to be taken.» Lack of awareness by customers. 16

17 Risks of gases under pressure» Pressure and energy» Overfilling» Over temperature and low temperature» Temperature effects of compression and decompression» Joule Thomson effect» Adiabatic compression» Vessel weakening due to corrosion, heat, chemical or mechanical damage or fatigue 17

18 How do we reduce the risks of gases under pressure» Design equipment and components to accepted industry standards» Operation within the parameters and conditions specified in the design» Management of change processes in place and used:» For equipment used to contain gas under pressure» For equipment used to reduce and control and deliver gas» Inspection of components and equipment» External damage» Internal contamination» Cylinders or containers which show signs of weakening must be inspected and tested before re-filling.» Maintenance» Training» Education and awareness» Workforce» Supply Chain» Customers 18

» Industry knows how to manage the risks safely.

19 Standards and regulations and EIGA s role» Industry has learnt from these incidents and their causes.» Industry knows how to manage the risks safely.» Industry has an obligation to impart and share this knowledge with employees, contractors, distributors, users and other stakeholders. 19

20 Standards and regulations and EIGA s role» Standards and regulations for the control of gases under pressure have their roots in those developed by regulators aimed at managing the hazards associated with steam boilers, but» For many years the industrial gases industry has taken a lead in initiating the development of appropriate standards and providing standardization bodies with technological expertise.» Common approach of industry working together and with regulators» Industry experts working for competing organisations creating common consensus» EIGA values the experience and expertise of regulatory experts» Industry has become self regulating in standards and specialised areas 20

21 Support to Regulatory and Standardisation Bodies, Cooperation with related Industry Associations Medical Associations EMEA, EDQM, PIC/S, EFPIA Comité Européen de Normalisation Brussels CEN Int. Organisation for Standardisation Geneva ISO European Commission Brussels EC UN Committee of Experts on Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Globally Harmonised System Geneva Other European Trade Associations EHA AEGPL - BUSINESSEUROPE Council of European Chemical Industries Brussels CEFIC Other Transport Regulating Bodies Geneva-Bern-London ADR/RID/ADN-IMDG 21

22 Key focus areas to manage the risks of gases under pressure Safety & Quality Legislation Harmonisation Standards 22

23 Key Focus Safety & Quality Safety & Quality» Incident reporting and analysis» Management systems review» Accident statistics» Safety awards» Timely information, advice and guidance» Benchmark performance and programmes 23

24 Key Focus - Legislation Legislation» European legislation» National legislation» European directives on safety, health and environment» International legislation on transport of dangerous goods (EU, UN, ADR/RID/ADN)» UN Globally Harmonised System (GHS) 24

25 Key Focus - Harmonisation Harmonisation within the industry» Co-ordination with national gas associations» Co-operation with regional gas associations - AIGA, ANZIGA, CGA, MEGA, SACGA and JIMGA» Promotion of consistent standards worldwide» Focus on UN Regulations and ISO Standards 25

26 Key Focus - Standards Standards» E.g.» European Pharmacopeia» CEN TC 23 and ISO TC 58 Cylinders» CEN TC 268 and ISO TC 220 Cryogenic vessels» CEN TC 215 and ISO TC 121 Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment» ISO TC 197 Hydrogen 26

Technical documentation» EIGA publishes a

documents, written by the industry experts.

materials on process safety, transportation,

27 Technical documentation» EIGA publishes a wide range of safety, quality and technology documents, written by the industry experts.» Most documents can be downloaded free of charge from the EIGA website.» EIGA runs workshops and develops training materials on process safety, transportation, gas handling, oxygen, flammable gases and many other areas.» 27

28 Thank you EIGA - European Industrial Gases Association AISBL Avenue des Arts 3-5 B-1210 Brussels Phone: Fax: info@eiga.eu Website:

29 This is EIGA EIGA is a safety, quality, environment and technically oriented organisation representing the vast majority of European companies producing and/or distributing industrial, medical and food grade gases. The member companies closely co-operate in safety, environmental and technical matters to achieve the highest level of safety for all stakeholders, quality of products and services and environmental care in the manufacture, distribution, handling and application of gases. 29

SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR PRESSURE REGULATORS FOR MEDICAL OXYGEN CYLINDERS

SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR PRESSURE REGULATORS FOR MEDICAL OXYGEN CYLINDERS Doc 104/16 Revision of Doc 104/03 EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL GASES ASSOCIATION AISBL AVENUE DES ARTS 3-5 B 1210 BRUSSELS Tel: +32 2 217 70