Chlorine Gas Leakage Research Articles

Diffusion simulation and risk assessment model establishment of chlorine gas leakage based on terrain conditions

This study researches the impact of terrain factors on chlorine gas diffusion processes based on SLAB model. Simulating the law of wind speed changing with altitude by calculating the real-time speed with vertical height combing actual terrain data, and integrating the influence of terrain on wind speed by using Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) algorithm, K-turbulence model, and standard wall functions, then plotting the gas diffusion range in the map with terrain data according to the Gaussian-Cruger projection algorithm and dividing the hazardous areas according to the public exposure guidelines (PEG). The accidental chlorine gas releases near Lishan Mountain, Xi'an City, were simulated by the improved SLAB model. The results show that there are obvious differences analyzing contrastively the endpoint distance and area of chlorine gas dispersion under real terrain condition and ideal condition at different times; it can be found that the endpoint distance of the real terrain conditions is 1.34km shorter than that of the ideal conditions at 300s with terrain factors, and also the thermal area is 3,768,026m2 less than that of the ideal conditions. In addition, it can predict the specific number of casualties within different levels of harm at 2min after chlorine gas dispersion, and casualties are constantly changing over time. The fusion of terrain factors can be used to optimize the SLAB model, which is expected to provide an important reference for effective rescue.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Acute Chlorine Gas Inhalation; a Brief Report.

Introduction:On March 6th,2020, chlorine gas leak was reported at Engro Polymer & Chemicals Plant in Karachi City, Pakistan. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of patients who presented to emergency department (ED) following this event.Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study, evaluated the clinical features and outcomes (length of hospital stay, complications, and mechanical ventilation requirement) of patients presenting to ED of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, with history of chlorine gas exposure at the Engro Plant from 6th March to 14th March 2020. Results:38 patients with mean age of 33.1 ± 8.1 years presented to ED with history of chlorine gas exposure (100% male). 4 (10.5%) cases had comorbid diseases. Most common presenting symptom was dyspnea, observed in 33 (86.8%) cases, followed by cough, seen in 27 (71.1%) subjects. 13.2% (5/38) patients had infiltration on chest x-ray and 33 (86.8 %) required hospitalization. 6 (15.8%) patients had repeat presentation requiring hospitalization or ED visit. 18 (47.4%) were managed with high flow oxygen therapy, 9 (23.7%) required non-invasive ventilation and one patient was intubated due to development of pneumo-mediastinum. Mean length of stay was 1.55 ± 1.58 days and no patients died. Presence of tachycardia was the only finding significantly associated with need for oxygen (p = 0.033) and non-invasive ventilation (p = 0.012).Conclusion:The majority of patients presenting with acute chlorine gas exposure showed good clinical outcomes and rapid recovery, however, a high index of suspicion and vigilance should be maintained for complications such as pneumomediastinum and acute respiratory distress syndrome in these patients.

Lessons Learned From a Chlorine Gas Leakage in Dezful City, Iran

Dezful is the capital of Dezful County, a city in Khuzestan Province, Iran. On August 12, 2017, after a chlorine gas leakage in Dezful, more than 475 people were affected by chlorine gas, and they all suffered from respiratory complications. A lot of problems were encountered in the preparation of the relief forces and organization of the blueprint on how to respond to the incident, such as lack of knowledge on establishment of danger zone, lack of warning system, lack of proper triage and absence of decontamination plans, lack of special chemical safety outfit and respiratory equipment for rescuers, lack of instructions for proper handling, lack of knowledge in dealing with this type of disaster, and inappropriate evacuation skills and failure to cordon off and insure the location of the incident. Although the initial measures to arrest this crisis was performed based on the health system's instructions of the country with regard to all the possible risks, lack of a comprehensive inter-organizational program and prevention plans, lack of control plans, lack of adequate preparation and response to chemical poisoning, lack of foresight, lack of a risk plan, and lack of an intervention plan for these incidents were the reasons for the damages and problems encountered after the crisis.

Clinical Presentations and Outcomes of Industrial Chlorine Gas Exposure Incidence in Oman.

The main objective was to study different clinical presentations and outcomes of patients after acute industrial chlorine gas exposure in Oman with evaluation of overall incident management to help develop a chemical exposure incident protocol. This was a retrospective observational study of 15 patients exposed to chlorine gas after an accidental chlorine gas leak in a metal melting factory in Oman. Six (40%) patients were admitted and nine (60%) patients were discharged from the emergency department (ED) after initial management. The important post-chlorine gas exposure clinical symptoms were eye irritation (66.6%), cough (73.3%), shortness of breath (40.0%), chest discomfort (66.6%), rhinorrhea (66.6%), dizziness (40.0%), vomiting (46.6%), sore throat (13.3%), and stridor (53.3%). Important signs included tachycardia (40.0%), tachypnea (40.0%), wheeze (20.0%), and use of accessory muscles for breathing (20.0%). Signs and symptoms of eye irritation, rhinorrhea, tachycardia, tachypnea, wheeze, and use of accessory muscles for breathing have shown significant correlation with outcome (admission) having P value of <.05. In the presented acute chlorine gas exposure incidence, 15 exposed persons were brought to the ED, out of which six were admitted and nine were discharged after symptomatic treatment. Signs and symptoms of eye irritation, rhinorrhea, tachycardia, tachypnea, wheeze, and use of accessory muscles of breathing show significant relation with the outcome of admission.

Public health investigation of swimming pool chlorine gas disinfection systems

In February 2012, a chlorine gas leak at a public pool facility in the British Columbia southern interior sent 70 people to hospital for assessment and treatment. As part of the follow-up investigation, the Interior Health (IH) public health engineering team undertook a comprehensive review of chlorine gas disinfection systems in public pools throughout the region. Deficiencies in the capacity to safely capture and release gas leaks were found in all 19 systems inspected. The engineering team subsequently worked with facility owners and area Environmental Health Officers to mitigate high-risk issues. However, less than half of the facilities were changed to on-site chlorine generation systems. Chlorine gas in public pool facilities poses an inherent risk to public health, and regional health authorities are responsible for routinely inspecting and overseeing these systems. The IH public engineering team continues to advocate for transitioning all public pool chlorine gas systems to less hazardous means of disinfection.

Emergency Evacuation Plan for Hazardous Chemicals Leakage Accidents Using GIS-based Risk Analysis Techniques in South Korea.

Despite improvements in chemical safety management systems, incidents involving the release of hazardous chemicals continue to happen. In some cases, they result in the evacuation of residents. For hazardous chemical release accidents, an evacuation plan needs to be selective enough to consider both the indoor and outdoor concentrations of nearby buildings and the time in which the maximum allowable concentration may occur. In this study, a real-time risk analysis tool was developed based on the geographic information system (GIS) in order to establish the emergency response and risk communication plan for effectively assisting decision-making personnel. A selective evacuation plan was also established by a proposed assessment module considering the indoor/outdoor pollution concentration of buildings and the release duration time of chlorine gas leakage. The GIS-based simulated modules were performed based on eleven buildings of Ulsan city, located near an industrial cluster and home to a high population density. As a result of the simulated real-time risk assessment, only four buildings were affected by chlorine gas concentration according to wind direction and diffusion time. In addition, it was considered effective to establish an indoor/outdoor evacuation plan as opposed to an outdoor evacuation plan which is outside the range of the damage. Subsequently, an emergency evacuation plan was established with the concentration of a hazardous chemical according to the decision-making matrix. This study can enlighten the real-time emergency risk assessment based on GIS while effectively supporting the emergency action plans in response to the release of hazardous chemicals in clustered plants and the community.

Simulation the Probability of Liberalizing Chlorin Gas from Urban Water Chlorination System in Alborz: With the Cancer Approach

Background: Qazvin province has suffered a lot of natural disasters (earthquakes) for a long time. so, the establishment of the first industrial city in Iran, has always been a source of concern. One of these problems is the possibility of chlorine gas leaking from the chlorination system of drinking water and treatment plant the existing ones are on the health of the inhabitants of this region.&#x0D; Material and method: This analytical study was carried out in Novorossiysk district of Alborz in December 2012. Initially, chlorine gas leakage scenarios from these facilities were simulated by ALOHA and WISER software, and then using the Emergency Level System, according to the CCPS Consultative Center's Chemical Process Safety Advice, the Emergency Response Program was presented.&#x0D; Results: ALOHA software, in comparison with WISER software, has more precision to identify and address the consequences of chlorine gas leakage hazards and according to the simulation of this software in the event of a leak from the well and water resources unit at 8240 m from the area and at night 7520 meters will be affected. Due to the speed of delivering results through the WISER software, this software can be used at times when the operating speed is considered (incident time).&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the CCPS model, the emergency conditions were classified at levels 3 and 4, therefore, the relevant crisis management agencies (Qazvin Crisis Management Committee, Alborz City Health Center, Red Crescent and Firefighting Authority) should provide training maneuvers At Alborz city level, and informing people of cities and industrial companies, many efforts have been made to reduce human and environmental damage in case of possible leakage.

Simulation the Probability of Liberalizing Chlorin Gas from Urban Water Chlorination System in Alborz: With the Cancer Approach

Background: Qazvin province has suffered a lot of natural disasters (earthquakes) for a long time. so, the establishment of the first industrial city in Iran, has always been a source of concern. One of these problems is the possibility of chlorine gas leaking from the chlorination system of drinking water and treatment plant the existing ones are on the health of the inhabitants of this region.&#x0D; Material and method: This analytical study was carried out in Novorossiysk district of Alborz in December 2012. Initially, chlorine gas leakage scenarios from these facilities were simulated by ALOHA and WISER software, and then using the Emergency Level System, according to the CCPS Consultative Center's Chemical Process Safety Advice, the Emergency Response Program was presented.&#x0D; Results: ALOHA software, in comparison with WISER software, has more precision to identify and address the consequences of chlorine gas leakage hazards and according to the simulation of this software in the event of a leak from the well and water resources unit at 8240 m from the area and at night 7520 meters will be affected. Due to the speed of delivering results through the WISER software, this software can be used at times when the operating speed is considered (incident time).&#x0D; Conclusion: According to the CCPS model, the emergency conditions were classified at levels 3 and 4, therefore, the relevant crisis management agencies (Qazvin Crisis Management Committee, Alborz City Health Center, Red Crescent and Firefighting Authority) should provide training maneuvers At Alborz city level, and informing people of cities and industrial companies, many efforts have been made to reduce human and environmental damage in case of possible leakage.

An immediate onsite chlorine leakage disaster management plan

Chlorine is a highly hazardous substance endangering the environment and human. In the past few years, several accidental incidents of chlorine gas leakage were reported around the world. Away from...

Hazard Modelling of Accidental Release Chlorine Gas Using Modern Tool-Aloha Software

This paper investigates the impact of accidental release of chlorine gas in surrounding areas consequences of chlorine gas leak studying the negative effects on both the environment and individuals. Chlorine and its consequences have a far more reaching effect in society that one may have imagined. The ALOHA software has been used in this paper to modelling of chlorine release. The modelling was performed for an accidental release of 3.373 tons chlorine gas from unsheltered single storied for one hour. For a typical average atmospheric condition in location, this accidental chlorine release would cause a red zone of 3.0 kilometres (AEGL-3=20 ppm), orange zone of 7.1 kilometres (AEGL-2=2 ppm) and yellow zone stretching to greater than 10.0 kilometres (AEGL-1=0.5 ppm) to downwind from the source.

Toxic gas release modeling for real-time analysis using variational autoencoder with convolutional neural networks

High-accuracy gas dispersion models are necessary for predicting toxic gas movement, and for reducing the damage caused by toxic gas release accidents in chemical processes. In urban areas, where obstacles are large and abundant, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) would be the best choice for simulating and analyzing scenarios of accidental release of toxic chemicals. However, owing to the large computation time required for CFD simulation, it is inappropriate in emergency situations and in real-time alarm systems. In this study, a non-linear surrogate model based on deep learning is proposed using a variational autoencoder with deep convolutional layers and a deep neural network with batch normalization (VAEDC-DNN) for real-time analysis of the probability of death (Pdeath). VAEDC can extract representation features of the Pdeath contour with complicated urban geometry in the latent space, and DNN maps the variable space into the latent space for the Pdeath image data. The chlorine gas leak accident in the Mipo complex (city of Ulsan, Republic of Korea) is used for verification of the model. The proposed model predicts the Pdeath image within a mean squared error of 0.00246, and compared with other models, it exhibits superior performance. Furthermore, through the smoothness of image transition in the variable space, it is confirmed that image generation is not overfitting by data memorization.

Acute respiratory symptoms and evacuation-related behavior after exposure to chlorine gas leakage.

BackgroundA study was performed on the accidental chlorine gas leakage that occurred in a factory of printed circuit boards manufactured without chlorine. Health examination was performed for all 52 workers suspected of exposure to chlorine gas, and their evacuation-related behaviors were observed in addition to analyzing the factors that affected the duration of their acute respiratory symptoms.MethodsBehavioral characteristics during the incidence of the accidental chlorine gas leakage, the estimated time of exposure, and the duration of subjective acute respiratory symptoms were investigated. In addition, clinical examination, chest radiography, and dental erosion test were performed. As variables that affected the duration of respiratory symptoms, dose group, body weight, age, sex, smoking, work period, and wearing a protective gear were included and analyzed by using the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsOf 47 workers exposed to chlorine gas, 36 (77 %) developed more than one subjective symptom. The duration of the subjective symptoms according to exposure level significantly differed, with a median of 1 day (range, 0–5 days) in the low-exposure group and 2 days (range, 0–25 days) in the high-exposure group. Among the variables that affected the duration of the acute respiratory symptoms, which were analyzed by using the Cox proportional hazard model, only exposure level was significant (hazard ratio 2.087, 95 % CI = 1.119, 3.890). Regarding the evacuation-related behaviors, 22 workers (47 %) voluntarily evacuated to a safety zone immediately after recognizing the accidental exposure, but 25 workers (43 %) delayed evacuation until the start of mandatory evacuation (min 5, max 25 min).ConclusionsThe duration of the subjective acute respiratory symptoms significantly differed between the low- and high-exposure groups. Among the 27 workers in the high-exposure group, 17 misjudged the toxicity after being aware of the gas leakage, which is a relatively high number.

Analysis of Chlorine Gas Incident Simulation and Dispersion Within a Complex and Populated Urban Area Via Computation Fluid Dynamics

In some instances, it is inevitable that large amounts of potentially hazardous chemicals like chlorine gas are stored and used in facilities in densely populated areas. In such cases, all safety issues must be carefully considered. To reach this goal, it is important to have accurate information concerning chlorine gas behaviors and how it is dispersed in dense urban areas. Furthermore, maintaining adequate air movement and the ability to purge ambient from potential toxic and dangerous chemicals like chlorine gas could be helpful. These are among the most important actions to be taken toward the improvement of safety in a big metropolis like Tehran. This paper investigates and analyzes chlorine gas leakage scenarios, including its dispersion and natural air ventilation effects on how it might be geographically spread in a city, using computational fluid dynamic (CFD). Simulations of possible hazardous events and solutions for preventing or reducing their probability are presented to gain a better insight into the incidents. These investigations are done by considering hypothetical scenarios which consist of chlorine gas leakages from pipelines or storage tanks under different conditions. These CFD simulation results are used to investigate and analyze chlorine gas behaviors, dispersion, distribution, accumulation, and other possible hazards by means of a simplified CAD model of an urban area near a water-treatment facility. Possible hazards as well as some prevention and post incident solutions are also suggested.

Impacts of Wind Speed and Leakage Height on Chlorine Leakage Diffusion

Simulation for safety analysis of the leakage of toxic and harmful gas diffusion accident is beneficial for emergency treatment or pre-treatment. Based on the Fluent software substances transmission platform, in this paper, a chlorine gas leak and diffusion model established in the obstacle environment. Numerical simulation mainly considered ambient wind speed and leakage height. In the mean time, from the lethal concentration and safety standards perspective, region analysis of chlorine gas diffusion has been discussed. The results show that, the molar concentration of chlorine tends to saturation value under the conditions of static wind or with the wind speed of 3.6m/s along downwind of the buildings, and the value of the former is larger than the latter. The molar concentration of chlorine at monitoring points along downwind of the buildings, increases at first and then decreases in the case of wind speed of 10m/s; under the condition of downwind of the building and from the ground 2m height, the value of molar concentration of chlorine is at the maximum with static wind, but in contrast, the value is at the minimum with wind velocity of 10m/s, and at medium with wind velocity of 3.6m/s in between. Comparing leakage height at 5m to 10m in the three wind speed types, similarly in each type, chlorine leakage arrived earlier to the ground at 5m than at 10m, and the molar concentration of chlorine declined along the downwind of buildings faster than at 10m.

The Performance Test on Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) System to Prevent Chlorine Gas Leakage in Water Treatment Plant

The Performance Test on Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) System to Prevent Chlorine Gas Leakage in Water Treatment Plant

Emergency response plan of chlorine gas for process plants in Taiwan

Potentially hazardous releases due to chlorine gas leaks have been a crucial social issue in Taiwan, especially leaks that have occurred in the process plants in general, such as water treatment plants (WTPs), petrifaction, and so on. Classified as a highly toxic gas, chlorine presents severe hazards when contacting the human body in various ways. It can very easily enter the human body through the skin, the eyes, inhalation, or by being ingested. Environmental contact typically affects the eyes, trachea, and respiratory system. In process plants, the units for transferring the chlorine gas are relatively effective and complex, including steel chlorine cylinders, piping, valves, and chlorine addition equipment. This study shows the benefits of developing an adequate emergency response plan (ERP) with safety and industrial hygiene resources to deal with the effects resulting from a chlorine gas leak, in order to lessen or avoid injury to plant personnel and citizens in the neighboring community. Results from systematic planning indicate that properly trained personnel could immediately and effectively handle each level of incidents occurring in the process plants in Taiwan.

Chronic Reactive Airway Disease following Acute Chlorine Gas Exposure in an Asymptomatic Atopic Patient

While chlorine gas inhalation has previously been reported to cause temporary mucous membrane irritation, acute pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and transient bronchospasm, there is controversy about the existence of long-term pulmonary sequelae. We report the case of a 25-year-old man in whom chronic, recurrent asthma developed after exposure to a chlorine gas leak in an enclosed space. His course since the exposure has been notable for frequent exacerbations necessitating chronic corticosteroid therapy and multiple hospitalizations. To our knowledge, the persistence of symptoms years after the exposure is unique in the literature.

Effect of chlorine gas leak on the pulmonary functions of school children.

Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed on 84 children studying in a Municipal School, near a plant manufacturing chemicals in Chembur, a suburb of Bombay, from where large amounts of chlorine gas leaked out on 30th August, 1985. It was found that only 23.8% had normal PFT's. 66.7% showed an obstructive pattern and 9.5% showed a restrictive pattern of PFT's. This is a preliminary report to establish the prevalence of lower PFT values in children staying in an area of air pollution in Bombay.

Acute chlorine gas intoxication.

SummaryAn accidental chlorine gas leakage in a chemical plant in the vicinity of Ghent permitted us to observe the effects on 14 patients within the first 30 hours, and to perform pulmonary function tests.We obtained a 3 month follow-up. We were particularly interested in the acute and subacute changes after the exposure.The accident was provoked by the uncoupling of a chlorine gas pipe situated on an inner court. A yellow-green cloud formed in which the workers stayed between 3 and 30 minutes.Twenty-two workers were involved in the accident, but only fourteen could be fully observed.They were admitted to the emergency room within the first eight hours after the accident.On admission they received oxygen (51/min.) with an oxygen mask during 3 to 6 hours. One heavily exposed worker received antibiotics and stayed for one week in the hospital; the others could leave the hospital after the first pulmonary function tests.

Certification Corner

The questions in this month's “Certification Corner” deal with the topics of chlorine gas leak detection, regulations for ceiling fans in chlorinator rooms, purposes of a fuse or circuit breaker, precautions when handling hypochlorites, safety procedures when handling or storing fluorides, and the hazard of an oxygen‐deficient atmosphere.