Methanol Drum Transport, Handling, and Storage

Transcription

1 Methanl Drum Transprt, Handling, and Strage INTRODUCTION Ttes, drums (55 galln), and cans (5 galln, and 1 galln) are used t transprt, stre, and dispense methanl in a wide variety f circumstances by lw vlume users. Nnbulk transprt and strage f hazardus material are regulated activities in the U.S. and sme ther cuntries. Failure t adhere t applicable regulatins may be punishable by fines and imprisnment. Requirements are specific t the cuntry and the circumstances; hwever requirements will generally cnsist f the fllwing; shipping papers, cntainer labeling, transprt vehicle placarding, driver training and licensing, and availability f emergency repines equipment. If yu are nt a designated hazardus materials carrier, then it may be against the law t transprt methanl in ttes, drums, and cans. D nt transprt methanl in yur persnal vehicle. D nt stre methanl ttes, drums, r cans indrs r in yur hme. Strage requires precautins fr flammable lading, fire-safe strage, ventilatin, spill cntainment, spill cleanup, and fire suppressin. Never use muth suctin t siphn-transfer methanl. Methanl liquid and vapr are txic t humans. Expsure is cumulative and may result in harm if vapr r liquid are inhaled, ingested, r cntacted with skin fr extended perids f time. Methanl (CAS: , NIOSH: PC , DOT: 1230, UN-1230, NA-1230) is classified by the Internatinal Cde Cuncil (ICC) and the Natinal Fire Prtectin Agency (NFPA) under the Unifrm Fire Cde as a IB Flammable Liquid and by the United Natins as a 1993 Class 3 Flammable Liquid. NFPA and Department f Transprtatin (DOT) rank Flammability as a 3 primary hazard, and txicity, as a 6.1 ranked secndary hazard. Guidelines fr handling IB flammable liquids are prvided by cdes and standards published by ICC, NFPA, and the Internatinal Fire Cde. ICC and NFPA guidelines are recmmended as best practices, but are nt mandatry unless deemed s by natinal, r lcal authrity. Within the United States, lcal authrity generally rests with the lcal Fire Marshal. Mandatry regulatins have been develped within the United States by the Occupatinal Safety and Health Administratin (OSHA), an agency f the federal gvernment. Specific safe handling practices are given under three separate regulatins fr varius industries, circumstances, and wrk envirnments: General Industry: 29 Cde f Federal Regulatins (CFR) Cnstructin Industry: 29CFR Shipyard Industry: 29CFR ). SINGAPORE Suntec Twer Three 8 Temasek Blvd Singapre WASHINGTON DC 4100 Nrth Fairfax Drive, Suite 740, Arlingtn, VA methanl.rg 1

2 Methanl Drum Transprt, Handling, and Strage (Cntinued) Guidelines fr internatinal transprtatin f flammable liquids are available frm the fllwing bdies: Internatinal Maritime Organizatin, Internatinal Maritime Dangerus Gds (IMDG) Cde (vlumes, 1, 2, and Supplement) Internatinal Air Transprt Assciatin (IATA), Dangerus Gds Regulatins Intergvernmental Organizatin fr Internatinal Carriage by Rail, Regulatins cncerning the Internatinal Carriage f Dangerus Gds by Rail. Transprtatin within the United States is gverned by the Department f Transprtatin (DOT), an agency f the federal gvernment. DOT regulatins are available in 49CFR which can be accessed n the internet r purchased in bk frmat at a nminal cst ver the internet. Drums, ttes, and cans are transprted, stred, and handled by the vast majrity f methanl users. This discussin fcuses n 5-galln and 55-galln quantities packaged in metal cntainers. Plastic cntainers are nt recmmended fr lng-time strage r shipment f methanl because the slvent prperties f methanl may degrade the plastic, causing the cntainers t lse structural integrity. STORAGE OF METHANOL-CONTAINING TOTES, DRUMS, AND CANS Guidance fr safe strage f methanl is prvided by ICC, NFPA, and the Internatinal Fire Cde. ICC and NFPA guidelines are available in: NFPA 1, Unifrm Fire Cde. NFPA 30, Flammable and Cmbustible Liquids Cde. Methanl strage areas shuld be curbed with a cmpatible material such as cncrete, ventilated t prevent accumulatin f vaprs, and drained t a safe lcatin which is remte frm the strage area. Strage areas shuld be equipped with vapr, and heat detectr/alarms. Because methanl burns with a transparent, nn-luminus blue flame, cmbustin will likely nt be detected by standard smke detectrs, and luminus-type flame detectrs. Carbn mnxide and carbn dixide detectrs may serve in place f smke detectrs and luminus flame detectrs. First respnders use infra-red detectin methds t determine if cmbustin is ccurring. It is recmmended that this type f detectr be installed and alarmed t mnitr methanl tte, drum, and can strage areas. Detectin shuld be redundant with detectrs psitined at right angles t ne anther. If mre than several drums are stred, then cnsideratin shuld be given t autmatic fire suppressin using either fine water mist spray, r alchl resistant fire-fighting fam (AR-FFF). Strage f multiple cntainers is subject t limitatins n stacking height, and cntainer density lading. Refer t the listed cdes t btain guidance, which is specific t yur circumstance. Tte and drum cntainers must be stred utside, nt within a structure, unless placed in a liquid strage rm r warehuse meeting the requirements fr flammable liquids strage buildings. Five-galln and 1-galln cntainers may be stred within a building prvided they are cntained in a fire-safe cabinet which is grunded, and vented t an utside safe lcatin which includes an explsin suppressin devise. SINGAPORE Suntec Twer Three 8 Temasek Blvd Singapre WASHINGTON DC 4100 Nrth Fairfax Drive, Suite 740, Arlingtn, VA methanl.rg 2

3 Methanl Drum Transprt, Handling, and Strage (Cntinued) SHIPMENT OF TOTES, DRUMS, 5-GALLON CANS, AND 1-GALLON CONTAINERS Guidance fr shipment f methanl via the U.S. Pstal Service is cntained in United States Pstal Service Publicatin 52, 343 Flammable and Cmbustible Liquids (Hazard Class 3). Transprtatin f drum quantities (8 t 119 galln quantities f methanl) is regulated by multiple agencies and rganizatins. The regulatry authrity depends n: Methd f transprt (truck, rail, air, r sea-ging vessel). Capacity f individual cntainers, the number f cntainers which cmprise a single shipment. Whether shipment is dmestic within U.S.-cntrlled territry r utside f U.S. cntrlled territry. Shipping versight is the respnsibility f the fllwing regulatry bdies: Within the United States, the U.S. Department f Transprtatin (DOT), Hazardus Material Regulatins 49 CFR and Emergency Respnse Guide Bk United Natins Lcatin Cdes (UN/LOCODES), UN Recmmendatins n Transprt f Dangerus Gds (i.e., the s-called UN-Orange Bk) Internatinal Maritime Organizatin (IMO), Internatinal Maritime Dangerus Gds Cde (IMDG), Vlumes 1 and 2, plus a supplement Internatinal Civil Aviatin Organizatin (ICAO): Technical Instructins fr the Safe Transprt f Dangerus Gds by Air Internatinal Air Transprtatin Assciatin (IATA), Dangerus Gds Regulatins (DGR) 3.3. Rad, rail, airbrne, and water transprt f hazardus materials is cntrlled by DOT fr gds shipped within the United States. Regulatry revisins are made almst cntinuusly; verify that yu are using current versins f the regulatins. DOT restricts aircraft transprtatin f Class 3 flammables (e.g., methanl) t a maximum f 1 liter n passenger aircraft and 60 liters n carg aircraft, irrespective f the shipping cmpany: Fed-X, UPS, etc. Drum quantities are nt cnsidered t be air transprtable. Refer t 49CFR , Hazardus Materials Table fr specific infrmatin regarding shipment f methanl. Refer t 49CFR fr nn-bulk packaging requirements n passenger and carg aircraft. CONTAINER SPECIFICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING METHANOL Class IB Flammable Liquids are equivalent t DOT-designated PG II Flammable Liquids. Nn-bulk vlumes f PG II Flammable Liquids between 8 and 119 gallns are required t be packaged in DOT perfrmance-riented packaging identified using the United Natins identificatin system. Specificatins fr drums are established and published by Oak Ridge Natinal Labratry. A cpy f these specificatins can be btained by cntacting Oak Ridge Natinal Labratry, Packaging Operatins Manager, Bldg. 7001, MS 6288 P.O. Bx 2008, 1 Bethel Valley Rad Oak Ridge, Tennessee Ttes, drums, and cans are available which just meet, and which exceed published specificatins. Thse which exceed specificatins ffer the ptential cst-benefit f testing and re-using the cntainers. SINGAPORE Suntec Twer Three 8 Temasek Blvd Singapre WASHINGTON DC 4100 Nrth Fairfax Drive, Suite 740, Arlingtn, VA methanl.rg 3

4 Methanl Drum Transprt, Handling, and Strage (Cntinued) Standards fr DOT designated packaging requirements fr drum drp, stacking, and vibratin testing are as fllws: Drp American Sciety f Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-5276, Standard Test Methd fr Drp Test f Laded Cntainers by Free Fall Stacking Internatinal Organizatin fr Standardizatin (ISO) 2248, Packaging Cmplete, Filled Transprt Packages Vertical Impact Test By Drpping ASTM D-4577, Standard Test Methd fr Cmpressin Resistance f a Cntainer Under Cnstant Lad ISO 2234, Packaging Cmplete, Filled Transprt Packages Stacking Tests using Static Lad Vibratin ASTM D-999, Standard Test Methd fr Vibratin Testing f Shipping Cntainers ISO 2247, Packaging Cmplete, Filled transprt Packages Vibratin Test at Fixed Lw Frequency Packaging may be re-used prvided it is cleaned, refurbished, re-tested, and fund t be cmpliant. SHIPPING REGULATIONS Shipping requirements fr hazardus materials are rigrus and cmplex. Failure t cmply with DOT regulatins can result in civil penalties cnsisting f mnetary fines f $50,000 per ccurrence and criminal penalties f 5-years imprisnment. If yu are nt cmfrtable interpreting regulatins fr identifying, labeling, packaging, and shipping hazardus materials, then cnsider btaining prfessinal guidance frm a qualified prfessinal wh is knwledgeable abut yur specific circumstances. It is unsafe t transprt drum r even 5-galln cans f methanl in the trunk f a car, even if the trunk remains pen. Transprtatin f methanl requires special hazard and incident respnse training. Transprting vehicles must be placarded, and drivers must have gvernment required papers authrizing transprt. CONTROLLING STATIC ACCUMULATION AND SPARK DISCHARGE Liquids which have cnductivity less than 50 picsiemens per meter are charge accumulatrs; that is, these liquids tend t accumulate static charge as a result f fluid handling in un-bnded and un-grunded fuel cntainment systems. Liquids which have electrical cnductivity greater than 50 picsiemens per meter are nt cnsidered t be charge accumulatrs. The cnductivity f gasline is less than 500 picsiemens; the cnductivity f methanl is substantially greater than 50 picsiemens. Methanl is a plar material; gasline, and mst ther cmmn transprtatin fuels are nn-plar materials. The flash temperature, ignitin energy, and lwer flammability limit f methanl cmpared t gasline cause methanl t be less easily ignited than gasline in many cmmnly-encuntered circumstances. This is als true fr ignitin resulting frm accumulatin and subsequent discharge f static electricity. Charge accumulatin and discharge is less likely fr methanl than fr gasline, Jet, kersene, lw sulfur diesel, and ther lw sulfur distillates. Electrical SINGAPORE Suntec Twer Three 8 Temasek Blvd Singapre WASHINGTON DC 4100 Nrth Fairfax Drive, Suite 740, Arlingtn, VA methanl.rg 4

5 Methanl Drum Transprt, Handling, and Strage (Cntinued) cnductivity f gasline is 25 picsiemens per meter, which is typical fr petrleum derived distillate fuels. Gasline accumulates static electricity. By cmparisn, the electrical cnductivity f methanl is 7 x 10 6 picsiemens per meter, and that f gd quality drinking water (als a plar cmpund) is 5 x 10 8 picsiemens per meter. Neither methanl nr water are charge accumulatrs. Hwever, methanl may accumulate static charge under abnrmal circumstances. Always make prvisins t bnd and grund methanl cntainers with electrical resistance less than 10 hms (R bnd r grund 10 hms). Neat (pure) methanl des nt nrmally have a high risk f charge accumulatin, static discharge, and static spark ignitin. Pssible exceptins t this ccur when large transient grund currents are present due t lightning strikes, nearby high vltage pwer lines, and ther surces f grund current. As a matter f gd practice, bnding, grunding and turbulence quelling, and liquid stilling during handling prcedures shuld be fllwed in the event the methanl is a blended fuel, r is cntaminated with hydrcarbn and therefre has an unexpectedly lw electrical cnductivity. Methanl burns with a nn-luminus flame which may be difficult t detect during daytime hurs, and methanl vapr has a very wide flammability range (7 v% t 36 v%). DRUM HANDLING AND LIQUID TRANSFER The difficulty f drum handling increases prprtinally t the size and weight f the drum. Five galln cans are relatively easy t handle withut mechanical assistance, prvided the cans are mved and handled ne-at-a-time. Fifty-five galln drums cntain less than 55 gallns f liquid in rder t allw space fr fluid vlume expansin. A 55 galln drum filled t 80% capacity with methanl weights apprximately 300 lbs. In rder t mve a full drum, it is necessary t use a mechanical means such as a barrel hist r frk lift. If n mechanical means is available, then individual drums can be mved by tipping the drum n its side, and rlling it t a designated curbed strage area. If it is necessary t remve a measured quantity f methanl frm the drum withut using mechanical means such as lw pressure inerting, r a siphn, then it is pssible t lay the drum n its side, and rll the drum int a slanted psitin with sme frm f a prp such as a shrt sectin f bard under the bunged end f the drum. Psitin the drum with the small bung in a 12 clck psitin, and verify that the drum is chcked in a stable psitin. The drum and the receiving cntainer must be bnded and grunded. In the 12 clck psitin, the small bung is nw in the vapr space f the drum. Replace the bung with a threaded, alchl cmpatible hse. Be careful nt t breathe the escaping vaprs, which are txic, and may be flammable. Methanl can be remved frm the drum in a cntrlled manner by carefully rlling the drum t the side s the small bung is in the 1 clck psitin, slightly belw the liquid level within the drum. Methanl will nw flw ut f the drum in a cntrlled manner. Flw can be terminated by returning the drum t the 12 clck psitin. Replace the transfer hse with the bung, and return the drum t an upright psitin. Extreme care must be taken t nt drp r therwise damage ttes, drums, cans, and 1-galln cntainers during handling. Methanl is txic, especially when breathed r ingested. Siphn transfer f methanl must never be started by muth-suctin. Ingestin f tea-spn-sized quantities are knwn t cause blindness. Inhalatin f methanl vapr, even in small amunts ver shrt perids f time, is knwn t prduce acute health effects in sme individuals. Methanl is txic. D nt breathe the vapr, ingest the liquid, r allw bare skin t cntact the liquid. SINGAPORE Suntec Twer Three 8 Temasek Blvd Singapre WASHINGTON DC 4100 Nrth Fairfax Drive, Suite 740, Arlingtn, VA methanl.rg 5