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    Gas Freeing, Purging & Leak Testing of Process Equipment

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    ABDELKADER BENABDALLAH

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    Petroleum Development Oman L.L.C. Document Title: Gas Freeing Purging and Leak testing Process Equipment and Pipework Document 10 [amt PeeEERD Procedure Set Unrestricted PSS Engineering and Operations UOM - Functional Maintenance & Integrity Manager Bee April 2010 Revision This document is the property of Petroleum Development Oman, LLC. Neither the whole nor any part of this document may be disclosed to others or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means (electronic, mechanicel, reprograghie recording or otherwise) without prier writen consent of the owner. Petroleum Development Oman LLC Revision 41 Effective: Mar-11 This page was intentionally left blank Page2 PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process, Equipment and Pipework Printed 07/03/11 “The contoled version of is CMF Document resides onine in Livelink®. Printed copies ar@ UNCONTROLLED. Revision 41 e | Petroleum Development Oman LLC Etfecioes Marit i Document Authorisation Authorised For Issue — April 2010 Document Authorisation Document Authority / Document Custodian Document Controller ‘Owner (CFDH) va /, OSes a Cuolb de a Jan Vossen (UOP) Del Elibec (UOP7) PTW System | Khamis Wahaibi (UEP351) Functional Production: Coordinator ‘Technical Library Team Leader ‘Administration Date: Date: \2le4l 20 tldhoo pate: 2. te - 2010 Page 3 PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Printsd 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework ‘The conlioled version of his MF Document resis onine i Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. E Petroleum Development Oman LLC Rowson 44 Effective: Mar-11 Revision History The following is a brief summary of the 4 most recent revisions to this document. Details of all revisions prior to these are held on file by the issuing department. Revision [Date | Author ‘Scope / Remarks No. Apr-1T_| Robin Norman UOP6 | Added Section 1.7 ALARP at Mari | Robin Norman UOP6 | See Interim Amendment March 2071 (Rev 4.1) 40 ‘Apr-10 | Robin Norman UOP6 | See Addendum 2 for details 32 Feb-10 | Robin Norman UOP6 | Minor Revision - See Addendum 1 for details 34 Jar-08_| Robin Norman UOP6 | Revised Section 3 Leak Testing’ to provide clarity and remove any confusion 70 ‘Sept 07 | UOPIT Reviewed and revalidated ‘Sept 98 | UOPIT ‘OP-32 rewritten to new format. Related Business Processes Code Business Process (EPBM 4.0) EP 72 Maintain and Assure Facilities Integr iv Related Corporate Management Frame Work (CMF) Documents The related CMF Documents can be retrieved from the CMF Business Control Portal cP-114 | Maintenance CoP oP-115 | Operate Surface Product Flow Assets - CoP See Appendix 4 Page 4 PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Priviod 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework “The contol version of iis CMF Document esis onine in Lvaink®. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. Revision 41 e Petroleum Development Oman LLC Etfecioes Marit TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 7 1.4 Background 7 1.2. Purpose 7 1.3. Scope 7 14 Distribution Target Audience. 7 1.5. Changes to the Document. 8 1.6 Stop-out Approval... 8 1.7 LARP aissensnnne 8 2 Roles and Responsibilities. 9 3. Gas-Freeing, Purging Process Equipment 10 3.4 General 10 3.2. Draining of Vessels and Pipework to Open Pits. 10 3.2.1. Considerations When Draining Vessels and Pipework 10 3.2.2. Criteria for Using an Open Pit 1 3.2.3. Control Required for using Open Pits ot 3.3 Gas-Freeing and Purging 12 3.3.4 Preparation and Precautions. 12 3.3.2 Gas Freeing M4 3.3.3. Atmospheric Pressure Method. 14 3.3.4 Cyclic Pressure Purge Method 14 3.3.5 Water Displacement Method 15 3.3.6 Series Purging ... 15 3.3.7 Displacing To Air. 15 3.4 Purging Following Inspection or Maintenance. 15 3.5 Sampling... 16 4 Leak Testing. 7 AA ObjOCtIVE sn 7 42. Definitions fr Leak Testing 7 4.3. Reinstatement Policy. 18 4.3.1. Method Options in Order of Consideration 18 44 Planning Reinstatement Leak Test 19 4.5 Nitrogen Leak Testing of Systems .. 24 4.5.1 Bubble Forming Solution. 22 45.2. Acceptance Criteria for Ne Leak Testing (Bubb Test 22 4.6 Performing the In-Service Reinstatement Test 2 AT Vacuum Testing soem se sone 28 4.8 Reinstatement Testing of Relief Valves Connected to the Flare or Relief Headers...... 23 Page 5 PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Printed 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework ‘The conlioled version of his MF Document resis onine i Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. E Petroleum Development Oman LLC tion Wecit 5 Hazards. ssnnnnnnnnnnnnn smn so 4 5.1 Draining and Flushing to Open Pits. 24 5.2. Gas-Freeing and Purging 24 5.3 Leak Testing ‘Appendix 1 - Working With Nitrogen Gas. Appendix 2 - Method Statement... Appendix 3 - Abbreviations...... Appendix 4 — Reference Material ‘Appendix 5 - User Feedback Page ‘Addendum 1 - Changes at Revision 3.2..... ‘Addendum 2 ~ Changes at Revision 4.0..... oo oe os Interim Amendment March 2011 (Revision 4.1) 35 eeeeee TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1 - Recommended Criteria Hydrocarbon / Nitrogen Purge. 6 Table 2 - Inert Gas End Points for Purging Equipment Out of Service... Figure 1 — Reinstatement Leak Testing Decision Chart Table - Sample Checksheet for Testing of Pipework System 16 19 29 Pages PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Priviod 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework “The contol version of iis CMF Document esis onine in Lvaink®. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. 44 1.2 1.3 1.4 Petroleum Development Oman LLC Ettecioe Med Introduction Background Process equipment in hydrocarbon services shall be subjected to periodic inspections and maintenance which may result in the pressure containment being broken. Such breaks in the pressure containment can result in explosive mixtures of air and hydrocarbon vapour being present. Therefore whenever pressure containment is broken measure must be taken to ensure that * An explosive atmosphere is not present during such times that work is being undertaken * An explosive atmosphere is not present in the equipment prior to its return to hydrocarbon service + Pressure containment is tested and confirmed before the equipment is returned to hydrocarbon service IMPORTANT: This procedure vil be used for gas freeing, purging and leak testing process system and equipment that has been commissioned and is being operated as ‘@ production unit Purpose ‘The purpose of this procedure is to detail the steps necessary to ensure that hydrocarbon process equipment is correctly gas-treed before the pressure containment is broken; purged of any explosive mixtures before being returned to hydrocarbon process service; and leak tested to ensure pressure containment is confirmed. This procedure may be used in conjunction with PR-1077 - Preparation of Static Equipment for Internal Maintenance and Inspection Scope This scope of this procedure’ covers gas-freeing, purging and leak testing of hydrocarbon process equipment and pipework. Specific plant / equipment level “Work Instructions / Method Statements” shall be developed prior to the work being undertaken. These shall form part of the Scope of Work. Distribution / Target Audience This procedure is intended for the use of Operations and Maintenance personnel and Contractor staff working with Operations and Maintenance involved in intrusive work on process equipment and pipework. * The procedure shall not detail removal of instrumentation lines where the volume of hydrocarbon vapour / gas / liquid is small and will therefore not present an explosion hazard, However safe working practice shall still be observed when undertaking this work, Page7 PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Printed 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework ‘The conlioled version of his MF Document resis onine i Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. Petroleum Development Oman LLC tion Wecit 15 1.6 47 Changes to the Document Responsibility for the upkeep of the Document shall be with the Functional Production Team Leader UOP, the Owner. Changes to this document shall only be authorised and approved by the Owner, Users of the Document who identify inaccuracy or ambiguity can notify the Custodian or hisiher delegate and request changes be initiated. The Requests shall be forwarded to the Custodian using the “User Feedback Page" provided in this Occument The Document Owner and the Document Custodian should ensure review and re- Verification of this procedure every 3 years. Step-out Approval This procedure is mandatory and shall be complied with at al imes. Should compliance with the procedure be considered inappropriate or the intended activity cannot be effectively completed or safely performed, then step out authorisation and approval must be obtained in accordance with PR-1001e — Operations Procedure Temporary Variance, prior to any changes or activities associated with the procedure being carried out ALARP ALARP is the acronym for ‘As Low As Reasonably Practicable’ which simplified means, ‘reducing the risk to a level at which the cost and effort (time and trouble) of further risk reduction are grossly disproportionate to the risk reduction achieved’. Full Compliance to PDO Standards and Procedures is a key element in achieving ALARP. For more details refer to ALARP Definition Page @ PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Priviod 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework “The contoled version of is CMF Document resides onine in Livelink®. Printed copies ar@ UNCONTROLLED. Petroleum Development Oman LLC Revision 41 Effective: Mat-11 2 Roles and Responsibilities Delivery Team Leader awareness of the Procedure * Ensuring compliance to the Procedure Production Coordinator. procedure compliance checks * Approving monitoring Levels * Approving use of flammable liquid / gas for in-service reinstatement leak testing Production Supervisor. Equipment selection ‘+ Review and approve method statements. (Technical Authority level-2 required) * Witnessing leak testing Production Operators. process equipment & pipework isolation. * Logging isolation details * Nitrogen purging operations. + Gas testing. + Leak testing. + Process equipment & pipework reinstatement Specialist leak ‘+ Preparing and undertaking all works required for Testing Contractor specialist leak testing Page 9 PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Printod 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework ‘The conlioled version of his MF Document resis onine i Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. Revision 41 Petroleum Development Oman LLC Efioctve Matt 3 Gas-Freeing, Purging Process Equipment 3.1 General + Gas-freeing ~ This is the process whereby a safe atmosphere is established within the process equipment / pipework prior to opening. Gas-freeing will normally be undertaken in conjunction with the draining and flushing processes. + Purging - This is the process wheraby the atmosphere within the process: equipment / pipework is purged of air by an inert gas i.e. nitrogen prior to final leak testing and reinstatement. The following procedures shall be referenced in conjunction with this Section and Section 3, PR.1076 - Isolation of Process Equipment PR-1077 - Preparation of Tanks and Vessels for internal Work Procedure PR-1086 - Locked Valve Control PR-1148 - Confined Space Enty PR-1154 - Gas Testing PR-1172- Permit to Work 3.2 Draining of Vessels and Pipework to Open Pits Before vessels and pipework can be gas freed they require to be drained and flushed / cleaned of hydrocarbons. The preferred method for draining and flushing of vessels and pipework is via a closed drain system to a sealed drain tank. On a large number of facilities in PDO this means of safely draining hydrocarbons liquids was not provided in the design. Because of this draining and flushing in some instances is carried out to open pits’ 3.2.1 Considerations When Draining Vessels and Pipework The following will be considered when draining vessels and pipework: NOTE: The list is not limited to, there could be more © Volume of liquid ‘+ Size of pipework and flanged sections ete.; ‘+ Type of medium i.e. hytrocarbon; hydrocarbon / water; olly water; Ha content elc.: + Pressure; * Location; * Concurrent activities; + Type of work to be undertaken: + Hazard and Associated Risks of the operation identified (Risk Assessment required) NOTE: When draining and flushing to an ‘Open Pit a ‘Risk Assessment’ reviewed and signed by the appropriate authority shall be required. Page10 | PR-1073- Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Prinied 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework “The contoled version of is CMF Document resides onine in Livelink®. Printed copies ar@ UNCONTROLLED. e Petroleum Development Oman LLC Ettecioe Med 3.2.2. Criteria for Using an Open Pit It shall be a mandatory requirement to ensure that the following eriteria are met before draining or flushing operations can be carried out to an Open Pit © The liquids to be di 'ad shall not contain NORM, H28, or Mercury + Tho Residual Risks associated with the draining / flushing operations are LOW (after putting controls in place as part of the Risk Assessment) + All hazards identified can be managed safely ‘+ The systems, equipment, vessels or pipe work is depressurised to atmospheric + Adotailed Job Safety Plan has been developed and approved + ATRIC Discussion is held and a TRIC Card completed before the operation is commenced + Hydrocarbon monitoring instruments are within calibration and certification + The operation is continuously supervised by the appropriate Area Authority Failure to meet the above criteria shall require a Variance to be raised in accordance with PR-1001e— Operations Procedure Temporary Variance. 3.2.3. Control Required for using Open Pits Draining / flushing to ‘Open Pits’ in the most part will have common risks attached to it and therefore the following require to be adhered to Open Pits . Open pits shall be no larger than 3m x 3m x 1m (deep). . Liquid levels in the open pit shall be maintained as low as possible. * Open pits shall be lined with ‘thick gauge PVC’ covered with firefighting foam to reduce evaporation of hydrocarbon to atmosphere. Hazardous Areas + Ahazardous Zone 1 will be established 1m above the pit and 3m around the pit. The pit itself shall be Zone 0 + Allelectrical equipment that does not meet the specification for operation within these Zone ratings shall be isolated Vacuum Tankers * Vacuum tankers shall meet PDO Specification SP-1207 - Specification for Vacuum Tankers. Vehicle Access and Control * Vehicles shall be not be allowed to within 5m of the pit * Continuous gas testing will be required if vehicles such as mobile cranes and vacuum tankers are required to be run in the vicinity of the pit. * Local gas testing shall be required before other vehicles are allowed to enter or are restarted in the vicinity of the pif General ‘+ When breaking flanges sufficient bolts will be retained to enable the flanges to be ‘closed’ in the event of uncontrolled draining, Pago 11 | PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Printed 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework ‘The conlioled version of his MF Document resis onine i Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. Petroleum Development Oman LLC tion Wecit 3.3 Gas-Freeing and Purging ‘As general guide process equipment containing 96% nitrogen by volume shall be considered (hydrocarbon) gas free. The key steps in the process of gas-freeing and purging with Nitrogen are: ‘+ Isolate from all other equipment + Reduce pressure. + Remove hazardous liquids. + Remove hazardous vapours by depressurisation ‘+ Flush with water if appropriate. + Purge with nitrogen. + Purge with air, if necessary. Nitrogen for purging purposes shall be supplied in ‘quads’ or for large operations tankers or portable high volume tanks. The nitrogen tanks and associated equipment are normally supplied by a contractor, who will also supply competent personnel to operate the equipment. However, this does not remove the responsibilty of the PDO. Operations staff for the overall supervision and the safe completion of the work under the PDO PTW System. 3.3.1 Preparation and Precautions ‘The following shall be taken into account in the preparation of gas-freeing and purge procedures: + Hired equipment shall be inspected to confirm compliance with PDO standards, particularly for diesel engines and electrical equipment. + Personnel, whether PDO staff or Contractors, shall be competent in the Use of the equipment being used for the purge. * Personnel must be in attendance whenever purging is taking place to monitor system pressure and purging equipment. + Notwithstanding the classification of the hired equipment, it should be located outside and in a non-hazardous area where possible. + All low temperature equipment must be cordoned off and appropriate warning signs fitted. Entry shall be restricted to authorised personnel only. + Any low temperature equipment must be kept clear of decking or other structural members and be provided with drip trays at joints. For details refer to Appendix 4 + Where equipment is located such that any spillages of nitrogen liquid may cause structural damage, charged fire hoses must be available to deal with any spillage. + All nitrogen hoses shall have current pressure test certification, be visually checked for condition. © Great care shall be taken with the choice of location to which temporary vent lines are directed, due to the hazardous nature of the vented gas. Vent lines should be vented external of closed modules / areas. Temporary vent lines must also be secured against movement, especially where the gas released may be under pressure. NOTE: Consideration should be given to installing permanent supply and vent lines for activities that are carried out regularly. Pago 12 | PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Priviod 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework “The contoled version of is CMF Document resides onine in Livelink®. Printed copies ar@ UNCONTROLLED. Petroleum Development Oman LLC Ettecioe Med + Prior to starting the purging operation, with the exception of the flare system which may be required to complete the purge activity, the equipment being urged shall be isolated from all other equipment. + If venting is into a common flare system, Operations staff should be aware of the possibilities of gas being vented, or leaking across PCV's from another system and thus recontamination the purged vessel. + When discharging nitrogen to the flare system, considerations shall be given to the possibility of extinguishing a iit fare. ‘* If nitrogen is being supplied by cylinders, a two-gauge regulator control, which indicates cylinder and flowing pressure, shall be used, fitted directly onto the manifold. CAUTION: At no time, irrespective of the relative volumes of the operation and the cylinder(s), shall nitrogen be used without a regulator. ‘+ If the nitrogen is being supplied by ‘quads’, the cylinders shall not be removed from the frame and the lifting slings shall not be altered in any way. + To avoid reverse flow of product into the nitrogen supply, the line up shall be ‘equipped with check valves. CAUTION: Where temporary hoses are used for purging and re-pressurisation these should be secured in position at 3m intervals to prevent ‘whipping’. Where temporary hoses are fitted with ‘crow’s foot’ type connections these must be fitted with ‘R’ clips and whip checks. + Temporary hose connections and tie-in points shall be blanked off when not in use and for all tie-in points an isolation valve shall be fitted. Where the connection is envisaged as being required to operate against a pressure in the vessel, the connection to the vessel shall comprise a hose connection coupling, a bleed valve, a check valve and a block valve. * All temporary connections and vent points shall be controlled under the PTW system. Labels should be fitted to identify all nitrogen purge points and regular checks carried out to identify the vaive status. This status should be recorded on an Isolation Certificate (IC). + During periods when large numbers of temporary connections are in use (ie. ‘during shutdown or startup) regular checks shall be carried out, referring to a checklist, on ail nitrogen utility points in service, in order to identify their status. + PVG or leather gloves must always be worn when handling anything that contains, or has been in contact with, cryogenic liquids. These gloves should be loose fitting so that they may be easily removed if liquid is splashed onto or into them: + Where spraying or splashing may occur, a face visor must be wom to protect the face and eyes + Before the arrival of any temporary nitrogen equipment on site, the dangers of nitrogen in both liquid and gaseous form should be discussed at a safety meeting. Refer to Appendix 1. + It is very difficult to totally gas free a hydrocarbon vessel by nitrogen purging, even if flushing with water is part of the procedure. It is therefore most important that any hotwork in the vicinity of the vessel to be opened up is stopped prior to the removal of any manway doors, access hatches etc. + Tho possible leakage of nitrogen in confined spaces/modules, whether Permanent or temporary (habitats), MUST be considered in the planning of purging operations, Page 13 PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Printed 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework ‘The conlioled version of his MF Document resis onine i Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. Petroleum Development Oman LLC tion Wecit 3.3.2 33.3 33.4 Gas Freeing Before starting the purging operation, the nature and the properties of the substances to be purged must be taken into account, a. Where practicable, liquid hydrocarbons must be cleared prior to purging. Relatively small quantities of hydrocarbon liquid will produce significant volumes of gas if vaporised, b. Where recontamination by solids or sludge is likely, the purge procedure, where possible, should be preceded by a water flushing operation if purging efficiency is not to be impaired. ©. The relative densities of the gases to be purged must be considered. Where possible, propane or heavier gases should be displaced by downflow purging, and ethane or lighter gases should be displaced by upfiow purging, NOTE: Certain equipment, particularly fiter beds, may require to be purged in one direction only. Generally this willbe in a direction toward the support structure, but at all times the manufacturer's instructions should be followed. Several methods of nitrogen purge are available which are described briefly below. Under normal conditions, a combination of these methods is generally used. Atmospheric Pressure Method The principle of this method is the displacement of system contents by a flowing nitrogen purge. This technique is most effective when applied to pipework. The volume of nitrogen should be a minimum of 120% of the pipework volume, Great care should be given to the routing of the vent gas. It should remain at, or near to, atmospheric pressure to allow flow to take place. In cases where the system is more complicated, some mixing of the nitrogen and the urged gas oocurs and a reduction of the concentration of any component of the purged gas takes piace, to a greater or lesser extent, by dilution rather than by displacement The effectiveness of the purge operation is governed at all times by the sampling procedure. Cyclic Pressure Purge Method In this method, the equipment to be purged is pressurised with nitrogen and a period is then allowed for complete mixing. The pressure is then released and the cycle repeated Until satisfactory samples are obtained. This technique is most effective when applied to vessels and plant where baffles and convolutions render flow purging inefficient or where a pressure is required to displace residual liquids. This method is restricted to equipment, which can withstand the necessary pressure, although a relatively low pressure is required for suitable mixing of the gases. The volume of nitrogen required may be estimated by a simple pressure / volume relationship: + Ifa hydrocarbon system at zero pressure is pressurised to tbar (g) with nitrogen, the hydrocarbon element will be 50%. + Four times one bar cycles require four volumes of nitrogen and results in 6.25% hydrocarbons, whereas a single purge to nine bars will require nine volumes of nitrogen and results in 10% hydrocarbons. Pago 14 | PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Priviod 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework “The contoled version of is CMF Document resides onine in Livelink®. Printed copies ar@ UNCONTROLLED. Petroleum Development Oman LLC Ettecioe Med 3.3.5 3.3.6 33.7 3.4 Care must be taken that low-pressure instrumentation is not damaged by the purge. In a typical case, the required purge will be obtained by use of successive purges, the number required being based upon experience of the operation but governed at all times by the sampling procedure. Water Displacement Method In this method the equipment is flushed with water initially, and any vessels filled to allow il to be floated off at a high point. The contents are then driven out and replaced by nitrogen. This technique is most effective when applied to oil process trains where the flushing water is driven from vessel to vessel through the normal ol flow path. The nitrogen pressure only requires being sufficient to overcome the head of liquids. There is very little mixing so the concentration of nitrogen is not diluted. The volume of nitrogen required need be only 100% of the process equipment volumes. When considering utlising this method, checks must be made to ensure that the additional weight incurred due to the process being filled with water will not exceed structural design limits NOTE: This method may not be suitable in situations where water could enter into gas compression equipment. Series Purging ‘Where vessels or plant can be pressure purged in series, significant economies in time and nitrogen can be made by passing each cycle purge forward to the next vessel before releasing to the vent or flare, Can be used in conjunction with 2.3.5. Displacing To Air Following purging, itis normal to displace the nitrogen in the vessel or system with air to ensure that it is safe to work on. Care must be taken, as with the nitrogen, that the purge method used is appropriate to the conditions and to the system WARNING: AT NO TIME SHALL AIR BE PURGED INTO A LIVE FLARE OR VENT SYSTEM. Purging Following Inspection or Maintenance ‘When a vessel or pipework system has been opened up, it shall be purged with nitrogen to remove the oxygen prior to re-introducing hydrocarbons, ‘As with the purging for removal of hydrocarbons, the purging for removal of oxygen can Use any, or a combination, of the methods described in: Purging for Gas Freeing The main difference is that the sampling is for a different gas and to ensure that the vent lines are not discharging an explosive mixture WARNING: THE INTRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS INTO A SYSTEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN INERTED SHALL BE RISK ASSESSED. CALCULATIONS SHALL BE CARRIED TO ENSURE THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR THE OXYGEN CONTENT TO REMAIN ABOVE 2% AFTER HYDROCARBONS HAVE BEEN RE- INTRODUCED. WHERE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GUARANTEE THIS THE SYSTEM WILL BE N; PURGED. Pago 15 | PR-1073 - Gas-Freeing, Purging and Leak Testing Process | Printed 07/03/11 Equipment and Pipework ‘The conlioled version of his MF Document resis onine i Livelink. Printed copies are UNCONTROLLED. E Petroleum Development Oman LLC ene wen st 3.5 Sampling When purging hydrocarbons using nitrogen, it should be noted that the detector used must be capable of measuring a hydrocarbon gas in an inert atmosphere. The MSA Tankscope and Neotronics Digiflamm are examples of detectors that can be used. For both flowing and cyclic purges the checks should be made at not only the recognised vents but also at any dead legs in the system. When purging the nitrogen out of the system with air, it is equally important that representative checks are carried out. If the vessel or system is going to be entered, conditions for the entry are as defined in PR-1748 Confined Space Entry. The recommended criteria to give safe conditions when purging a mixture of hydrocarbon gases with nitrogen are shown in Table 4 Table 1 - Recommended Criteria Hydrocarbon / Nitrogen Purge Mode | OoLevel | _Hycrocarbon Level No Level to inert

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