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HSE-SAF-PRO-00-0018
SAFETY MANUAL
REV. 1
17 Feb 08
Nitrogen Connection Turnaround Procedure
Page 1 of 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SCOPE……………………………………………………………..2

2. PURPOSE…………………………………………………………2

3. RESPONSIBILITY………………………………………………...2

4. REQUIREMENTS …………………………………………………2

5. CONNECTION SEQUENCE……………………………………..4

6. DISCONNECTION SEQUENCE…………………………………4

7. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 7.1

Attachment 7.2

Attachment 7.3 - Nitrogen Permit

Prepared By Safety Representative

Rev. Issue Date Amendment Description

0 24-Apr-05 First Release Francis Gnanaprakasam

Minor Change: Incorporated the TL position change
1 17 Feb 08 Imran Malik
to Shift Supervisor

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Nitrogen Connection Turnaround Procedure
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1.0 SCOPE

This interim safety procedure applies to the safe connection of nitrogen purge hoses
from the plant header & provides safe work practices in nitrogen use during TA.
Nitrogen is a dry, inert gas used throughout Q-Chem Complex for a variety of purging
and drying operations. The nitrogen system is relied on to be hydrocarbon and moisture
free.

CAUTION
Nitrogen is an extreme asphyxiation hazard and extreme care
should be taken when working in vessels which have been
purged with Nitrogen (refer to confined space entry procedure).

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2.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this interim procedure is to provide a safe and uniform method for the
connection & removal of nitrogen purge hoses.

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3.0 RESPONSIBILITY

3.1 Production / Field Operator:

3.1.1 Ensure that this procedure is followed.

3.1.2 Visually inspect hoses prior to each use and periodically.
3.1.3 Ensure hoses that fail visual inspection receive proper repair/replacement.
3.1.4 Post and replace nitrogen permits in the FICs or Permit Trailers.

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4.0 REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Any temporary nitrogen connection to process equipment or piping requires a

"Nitrogen Permit" form (see Attachment-3) be filled out and posted in the FIC or

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Nitrogen Connection Turnaround Procedure
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Turnaround Permit Trailer as required. The Production Team shall issue this
permit.
4.2 Only Production Team shall be allowed to hook up temporary nitrogen hoses.
Though it may be permitted that the Maintenance staff install the check valves,
string out hoses, etc., the final connection of the hose to the process and the
opening of any valve shall only be performed by the Production team.
4.3 Approval of Shift Supervisor is required for installations of continuous nitrogen
purges into systems operating above 0.35 Kg/Cm2.
4.4 Nitrogen should not be used to "pressure out" liquids from vessels, unless the
system is verified to be below 3.5 Kg/Cm2.

CAUTION
Nitrogen should not be introduced below a liquid
hydrocarbon level. If Nitrogen is used to pressure out
liquid, nitrogen connection should be in vapor space

4.5 Only blue nitrogen hoses with Dix-Lock steel couplings (see Attachment 7.1)
with size ¾ “ to be used. Only hoses in good physical condition, free of frays and
cracks shall be used.
4.6 A check valve shall be located at the process end of the hose (see Attachment
7.2). The check valve must be a piston check valve type (sometimes referred as a
"lift check").
4.7 Ensure check valve allows flow in correct direction. In order for the piston to
function correctly, the check valve must be positioned in the horizontal upright
position only.

CAUTION
All systems that have pressure ratings below the nitrogen
system operating pressure shall have suitable and
adequate protection against overpressure, prior to nitrogen
being introduced into the system

4.8 The use of a pressure regulator as the only method of overpressure protection
shall be authorized by the Shift Supervisor prior to the nitrogen connection being
used.
4.9 Regulators are not required to be used on nitrogen hoses when high volumes are
needed for gas or air freeing operations provided that there is no physical
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Nitrogen Connection Turnaround Procedure
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maintenance activity in progress and that relief protection or some other means
of escape such as vents / drains must be in service on any vessels included in the
purge system.

CAUTION
Nitrogen exiting manholes and nozzles also present
exposure hazard and caution must be taken to prevent over
exposure. On equipment that can hold large volumes of
nitrogen, consideration should be given to fresh air purging
to displace the nitrogen.

4.10 When purging or pressuring up a system, a reliable source of pressure indication

such as pressure gauge or existing instrument, must be installed.
4.11 Nitrogen hoses must only be run from designated nitrogen drops originating from
the nitrogen header. The nitrogen drops must be either painted blue or Labeled
"Nitrogen".
4.12 The user shall ensure that Nitrogen hoses are routed in a way that minimizes trip
hazards, where hoses are routed overhead they must be supported adequately at
least 2 meters from the walking level.
4.13 Nitrogen hoses shall not be used to link two pieces of equipment. Connecting two
pieces of equipment risks hydrocarbon contamination of the hose.
4.14 Any vessel which is purged with Nitrogen and manholes open, then the manholes
must be barricaded and labeled “Confined Space Do Not Enter” until hoses is
disconnected and confined space entry permit issued.
4.15 The entire unit staffs must be notified prior to beginning any large scale or high
volume purging operations so they may watch the header pressure.
4.16 Communication must be maintained between units Shift Supervisors when purging
lines between units.
4.17 All nitrogen supplies including temporary connections shall be blinded or physically
disconnected prior to issuance of a confined space entry certificate (in compliance
with confined space policy).
4.18 Any re-connection of nitrogen hoses must be signed off on the nitrogen permit in
FIC (see 4.1)
4.19 Nitrogen hose connections shall not be broken under pressure. The proper
procedure must be to block in at the source and allow the hose to de-pressure
through the system. Where this is not possible, the connection must be pre-
planned to include a de-pressuring bleeder.
4.20 All nitrogen hoses must be disconnected and rolled up before placing the
equipment back in service.
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5.0 CONNECTION SEQUENCE

5.1 See Attachment 7.2 for an illustration of this procedure.

5.2 Verify that the proper line/equipment has been identified for purging.
Safety Note: Proper identification of the correct line, equipment, or vessel is
critical to preventing incidents.
5.3 Verify that the line, equipment, or vessel is depressurized such that the pressure
of vapor in the line, equipment, or vessel is lower than the pressure of nitrogen in
the hose.
5.4 Connect the check valve to the line, equipment, or vessel purge valve; ensure
check valve allows flow in correct direction.
5.5 Connect the nitrogen hose to the check valve after signing the Nitrogen Permit.
5.6 Open nitrogen supply valve and begin the purge of nitrogen into the line,
equipment, or vessel.
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6.0 DISCONNECTION SEQUENCE

6.1 Close nitrogen supply valve.

6.2 Bleed pressure from the hose.
Safety Note: Caution should be exercised in disconnecting the check valve to
ensure that the line, equipment, or vessel has been depressurized.
6.3 Disconnect nitrogen hose from the check valve.
6.4 Disconnect check valve from line, equipment, or vessel purge valve and sign-off
the nitrogen permit.
6.5 Properly store check valve as appropriate.
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7.0 ATTACHMENTS

7.1 Figure -1 Example of Dix Lock Coupling for Nitrogen.

7.2 Figure - 2 Example of Nitrogen Purge Assembly.
7.3 Nitrogen Permit

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ATTACHMENT 7.1

FIGURE 1

EXAMPLE OF “DIX LOCK” COUPLING FOR NITROGEN

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FIGURE 2

ATTACHMENT 7.2
FIGURE 2: EXAMPLE OF A TYPICAL NITROGEN
PURGE ASSEMBLY

Line, equipment,
or vessel to be
purged

Typical bleeder
valve

Piston check valve

Standard nitrogen
"Dix Lock"
connection

Nitrogen hose

Standard nitrogen
"Dix Lock"
connection

To Nitrogen
supply

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Nitrogen Connection Turnaround Procedure
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NITROGEN PERMIT

Unit: Equipment: Date:

Checks to be done by Production:

1. N 2 hose in good condition and with proper connections. Yes No
2. Check valve Installed Yes No
3. Over pressure protection provided by one of the following (check the applicable box below):
a. Existing Relief Valves
b. Open Vents
c. Open Manhole
d. Parted Flange

Note: A regulator is not to be used as the only source of over pressure protection without the approval
of the Team Leader. In case of a continuous N2 purge into a system operating above 0.35 kg, Team
Leader approval is also required

4. Redundant Pressure Indication provided, if needed Yes No

2
5. System less than 3.5 Kg/Cm if pressurizing out liquid hydrocarbon Yes No
6. Other unit(s) notified, if affected Yes No
7. Regulator installed prior to maintenance activity Yes No
8. Nitrogen disconnected prior to issuance of confined space entry permit Yes No
9. Nitrogen disconnected prior to returning equipment to service Yes No
10. All temporary fitting, blinds are removed and all bull plugs are re-installed Yes No

Note: This form shall be posted in FIC. During Turnarounds, this form should be posted in the FIC or
Turnaround Trailer as applicable.

Equipment Date Time Attached Overpressure Shift Date Time Removed

Number Attached Attached By Protection* Supervisor Removed Removed By
Approval !

* - Overpressure Protection: a) Existing Relief Valve b) Open Vents c) Open Manhole d) Parted Flange

! - Shift Supervisor approval is required if a regulator is the only source of overpressure protection or if continuous N 2 purge is introduced into a
system operating above 0.35 kg/ cm2

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