Document v18Jox3J1LyMrQbvJGrjkE64q

FROM R. M. ROSE -1. K. MC CLAIN / MR. R. C< FLOURNOY PITTSBURGH OFFICE 07May76 Kit RE :l jafeGOMMENDATIO-N FOR ENTERING CONTACT HEATERS As per Mr. A. B. Kaltwasser's request, Messrs. Viets, McClain and Rose reviewed operating procedures for entering a contact heater safely. The procedure that has been implemented at Point Comfort and is recommended is as follows: 1. Close all valves leading to and from vessel. 2. ___ Open drain valves leading to and from vessel. Visually observe if material is discharging through drains. If it is not possible to vi sual observe the discharge of material and the vessel, has been outdof service for a short period of time, then by feeling the pipes will give one an indication (pipe will become hot) if material is/\drained through^ the -dwm*- pi pes. >k>cj 1 Observe pressure and level instrument readings. If the instrument readings decrease accordingly, there is a good indication that the vessel is draining and the pressure is reducing to atmospheric pressure. <2jLC*><Td-`uv Z7V5. Close the valve of the instrument pressure tap and remove theplug from the top of the T-section. Open the valve and insert a rod through the tap to penetrate the wall of the vessel to a minimum of 12". If a rod is unable to penetrate the vessel to the minimum required inches, then a drill must be inserted to -d-M-H through the scale (-ho4 tap-)-. This should- i n vo I ume inside the vessel is at atmospheric pressure. If there are any questionable indicators on the level instru ment, the level instrument taps^a^s* opened (hot tap^.if necessary 6. All lines entering the vessel and all discharge lines are blinde The unions on the drain lines are broken if necessary. 7. Open top manhole by removing bolts. It is a good practice to remove everyother bolt until all bolts are removed. 8. If the vessel is too hot to visually observe the level of liquor inside the tank, then a rope is lowered into the vessel to detect any possible liquor level. If there is liquor remaining in the vessel, the discharge line is back flushed through the vessel in order to release plugged up section. It is felt by Point Comfort Management that instrument readings are a good indication of the condition which exist inside the ALCOA ALCOA0001589 Mr. R. C. Flournoy Page 2 \ May 7, 1976 .r -tM vessel. However, these instrument readings are only indications-are no full proof. Caution must be taken and necessary steps must be followed to insure the safety of all personnel before entering a vessel,'such.as always opening the pressure instrument ap to^ fn-s-ti-re the pressure is at atmospheric pressure within the tank before opening the manhole for any reason^ If further information is desired, please contact the writers. RMR:JKMc:ea cc: Mr. 6. B. Scott Mr. H. W. Cooper Mr. 6. B. Viets R. M. ROSE/J. K. MC CLAIN ALCOA0001590 '