PRESSURE HAZARDS
In this lesson, you will learn:
Understand the concept of pressure and its application in physics.
Explain Boyle's law and its relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature.
Describe Dalton's law of partial pressure and its exceptions.
Recognize the effects and risks associated with changes in pressure, such as decompression
sickness and nitrogen narcosis.
In physics, pressure is defined as a force acting on an opposing fluid or solid. Pressure is perceived
relative to the Earth's atmosphere. Barometers are used to measure atmospheric pressure. Boyle's
law states that the product of a given pressure and volume is constant with a constant
temperature:
P1V1 = P2V2 when T is constant
Where:
P1 is the initial pressure
V1 is the initial volume
P2 is the final pressure
V2 is the final volume
T is the temperature
Inspiration involves breathing air into the lungs. Exhale when air escapes from the lungs. Dalton's
law of partial pressure states that in a mixture of ideal gases, the pressure applied by the
mixture is the sum of the pressures applied by each gas in the mixture:
PA = PO + PN + Pulse
Water vapor is a gas, but it does not comply with Dalton's law. Increased pressure on the body does
not cause any problems on its own. Decompression sickness can occur with a sharp rise of 18,000
feet above sea level or a sharp rise of approximately 132; 66 feet in the water.
Under extreme conditions, such as underwater diving sharp rise from high altitude decompression,
the lungs can rupture. Factors associated with decompression sickness include past exposure
history, age, physical fitness, exercise, low temperature, rate of decompression and length of
exposure. Bend is an example of decompression sickness. Bone aseptic necrosis can be a
delayed effect of decompensation. Hypoxia is a lack of available oxygen.
Excessive nitrogen absorption into body tissues can be caused by breathing nitrogen-rich air and is
called nitrogen narcosis. The effects of the gas generated are related to the absorption of nitrogen
in the body tissues. Altitude sickness is a form of hypoxia. Altitude sickness can be accompanied by
a loss of useful consciousness.
Hyperoxia is an increase in oxygen levels in the air and is not common. The effects of trapped gas
can result from changes in total pressure. Dysbarism is the rapid formation of air bubbles in a tissue
due to a sharp drop in ambient pressure.
Drag is caused by the formation of bubbles on the skin. The formation of bubbles in the
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airways is called chalk. There are various types of pressure vessels, such as deaerators, amines,
wet hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and pulp digestion tanks.
Non-destructive inspection of pressure vessels can be performed by visual inspection, liquid
penetration test, magnetic particle defect detection test, radiography and ultrasonic test. Various
methods are used to detect pressure hazards, including sound, fabric streamers, soaps, scents,
leak detectors and visual checks for corrosion and contamination. Pressure hazard detection
includes destructive and non-destructive inspection. The calibration pressure can be used to
test the resistance of the container to contain the pressurized gas.
Pressurized cylinders and other containers should be stored away from cold sources, including the
sun. Do not throw spray cans into fire or heat. A water hammer is a series of loud noises caused by
a sudden interruption of the flow of pressurized liquid. Negative pressure or vacuum is caused by
pressure below atmospheric pressure.
Reference
Pressure Hazards. Available at: https://uh.edu/~jhansen/ITEC4350/GoetCh11.htm
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