Ensuring fire safety of liquid ammonia during storage and transportation on an industrial scale

Introduction. In connection with the solution of problems in the field of hydrogen safety as priority methods of large-tonnage hydrogen transportation is considered the transportation of hydrogen carriers in the form of ammonia or liquid organic carriers by pipelines, various types of transport in liquefied or compressed state. Metal hydrides, nanostructures and other hydrogen-rich compounds can also serve as carriers. Ammonia is considered as the most efficient and hydrogen-intensive hydrogen carriers.

Aim. To ensure fire safety during storage and transport of liquid ammonia.

Objectives. Analysis of industrial means and methods of storage and transportation of liquid ammonia, development of measures for localization of large accidents, extinguishing of fires caused by ammonia vapour emissions and its spills in the form of cryogenic liquid.

Analytical part. When ammonia is released from pressurized equipment, the resulting mixture of product with air may vary in density from the formation of gas-air clouds below air density to buoyancy and exceeding air density depending on the conditions of release: pressure and temperature in the equipment; size of the hole through which ammonia enters the surrounding space; location of the hole in the equipment. Liquid ammonia leaks produce spills from the surface of which the product evaporates due to the temperature gradient when it is high, especially violently in the first moments after the spill. Calculations and experience show that the most dangerous area for liquid ammonia spills is a radius around the source of up to several hundred metres. Heat from the upper layer of soil (underlying surface) and the surrounding air is used for evaporation, and to a greater extent in the initial period this depends on the nature of the underlying surface.

Conclusions. Localization and elimination of pressure emissions and ammonia spills can be achieved through application of the following methods: acceleration of evaporation by air jets; reduction of ammonia evaporation surface using pits, pallets, drains into emergency tanks; dissolution in water and application of water curtains; application of water-foam compositions for polar liquids resistant to destruction.

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