DEFINITIONS OF THERMODYNAMIC TERMS - MST热力学.DOCVIP

ProcessEngineeringAsynchronousLearningSystem Neil L. BookOliver C. SittonDouglas K. Ludlow Department of Chemical Engineering University of Missouri-Rolla Rolla, MO 65409-0249 INERTING OR PURGING This instructional module is an introduction to inerting/purging operations for process safety applications. Inerting/purging is the use of an inert (noncombustible) gas to control the concentration of fuel/oxygen/inert gas mixtures such that it is never in the combustible region. Learning Objectives Learn the nomenclature associated with inerting/purging operations. Know the advantages and disadvantages of the common purge gases. Understand the requirements for implementing the four common methods of inerting/purging: vacuum purging, pressure purging, siphon purging, and sweep-through purging. Be able to estimate the in-service oxygen concentration and the out-of-service fuel concentration for an inerting/purging operation. Be able to predict the oxygen/fuel concentration and the purge gas requirements during inerting/purging operations. Know the safety margins commonly used in inerting/purging operations. Associated Reading Crowl, D. A., and Louvar, J. F., Chemical Process Safety: Fundamentals with Applications, Prentice-Hall, (1990), pp. 156-167, 194-200. INTRODUCTION TO inerting/purging OPERATIONS The simplest way to avoid a fire or explosion in a process vessel is to introduce inert (noncombustible) gases in such a way that there is never a mixture with a combustible concentration. Mixtures of fuel, oxygen, and inert gases are not combustible over the entire range of composition. Figure 1 is a triangular composition diagram [a URL points to a module that explains a triangular composition diagram] that shows the shape of the combustible/noncombustible regions for a typical gaseous mixture of fuel, oxygen, and inert at specified temperature and pressure. Figure 1. Triangular Composition Diagram with Typical Combustible Region for a Gaseous Fuel The points desi