Study regarding the Determination of the Flammability Characteristics of the Residue Collected from Natural Gas Transport

Maria Prodan,Andrei Szollosi-Mota,Sonia Suvar,Irina Nalboc,Emilian Ghicioi,R.J Dick Haynes

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202124104001

Abstract

In the natural gas pipelines, the so-called black powder is formed. It can take many forms, including wet tarred substance or fine dry powder. Black powder occurs in both newer and older natural gas pipelines. This can disrupt the distribution of natural gas either by interrupting distribution to the customer or by reducing the quality of products delivered to customers. This residue, black powder can damage operations that take place in the transport pipelines, such as reduced inspection accuracy, erosion of the control valve and reduced flow. In addition, this powder also presents a health hazard due to the fact that it may contain pyrophoric sulphides, which require specific handling and storage procedures. Black powder is a solid contaminant found in natural gas distribution systems around the world. Drilling mud, dust, construction dirt, sand, iron oxide, iron carbonate, iron sulfides, welding slag, salt crystals, valve grease, corrosion inhibitors, and other organic materials can contribute to the formation and the presence of this residue, also called black powder. In this paper were analyzed the flammability properties of black powder collected from natural gas transmission pipelines of an operator in Romania.

Highlights

In industry, often occurs accidents caused by fires / explosions that can cause damage to equipment, damage to people and the environment, the closure of the factory, or even its complete destruction, leading to heavy losses, including, human lives
The so-called black powder was identified, which is found as a residue that appears in the transmission pipelines at most natural gas distribution operators
The existence of iron sulfide confirms the existence of pyrophoric sulfides, which can be a source of efficient ignition of flammable hydrocarbon-air mixtures

Summary

Introduction

Often occurs accidents caused by fires / explosions (gas, dust or hybrid mixtures) that can cause damage to equipment, damage to people and the environment (in the event of an explosion at a chemical plant, which can cause pollution massive environmental damage), the closure of the factory, or even its complete destruction, leading to heavy losses, including, human lives. The so-called black powder was identified, which is found as a residue that appears in the transmission pipelines at most natural gas distribution operators. It can take many forms, including wet tar or fine dry powder (Figure 1). Black dust occurs in both newer and older natural gas pipelines. This can disrupt the distribution of natural gas either by interrupting distribution to the customer or by reducing the quality of products delivered to customers [1,2,3,4,5]

Methods

Results

Conclusion