LIQUID NITROGEN

SAFETY DOCUMENTS
CVjAPRILIO
LIQUID NITROGEN: GOLDEN RULES
Know the Emergency Procedure!!
1. LN
2
storage tanks are located in room C.27
2. Always wear your safety glasses.
3. Always wear your leather gloves.
4. Always use the rigid syphon and gas phase separator.
5. Always use vessels designed for LN
2
.
6. Never use plastic, glass or rubber with LN
2
.
7. Ensure receiving vessel is secure.
8. Open valves slowly and be aware of gas noise from gas phase
separator or LN
2
pressure relief device.
9. Avoid splashing and use minimum quantity required.
10. Never touch un-insulated pipes or vessels with bare skin.
11 . Never put water into polystyrene LN
2
buckets.
12. When filling other vessels use appropriate metal funnels - Always
fill "slowly".
13. Never fill detectors, traps etc with LN
2
bucket at or above head
height.
14. If moving large LN
2
tanks, always use the correct trolley and care
during transportation.
15. Never accompany large LN
2
vessels in lifts
Finally, imagine LN
2
like "hot boiling water" - take extreme care at all times!
The Department
..,j,. i University Of
* Risk Assessment For-m Of Physics &
Sheffield. Astronomy.
PERSONS AT RISK: ( X)ElllP!Oyees (x )Students ()Public (x)Visitors (x) Others Reference No;
Risk: (H ) High (M) Medium (L) Low (0) No risk Environment: Laboratorv and stor age areas
._- ---- .-----.----- ---- --.--.----- -- --.- ---- - .-..---- .---
sto rage areas
SIGNIFICANT HAZARD POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF RATING EXISTING CONTROL/PROPOSED CONTROL MEAS URES RATING
HAZA.RD
Liquid between 8L-18L Cold burns Ifrostbite M i.Ensure workplace and work area is well ventilated
z.Use minimum quantities necessary
3.Use PPE minimumleather gloves and eve protection L
4.Ensure that all workers are trained and instructed in its use
I) . Use only eouiurnent and containers designed for use wit h LN2
6.Ca1culate maximum quantiti es suitable for the work area
Liquid greater than 18L Asphyxiation due to rapid conversion of H i. Contr ols as listed above }
liquid to gas
2. Installation of Oxygen Deficiency sensing where oxygen }
concentrations would be lower than 18%in the event of total
conversion of liquid to gas Lowlevel sensing approx D.7m from
floor level
Cold burns /frostbite 3.0>"j'gen sensor-S monthly calibration & 12 monthly } L
reulacernent
4. EmerzencvProcedure in the event of a lowoxygen level alarm }
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__. . . ._... ._. .__. __
_ . ._. ._..__ . . . . ._ ._.. . .__.. . ._. ._. ..__..._. ._. . .. .
1. Read the additional safetyinformation within the cryogenics section of the LaboratorySafety folder. (General & Safe Working Practices and Emergency
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_ __. . ..__.. ..__.. ._ _ .. . .... ...._._..__. ._..__ _.._. ... _. __. ._. . .__... . .__ ..
- -. ---..-.-- - -.-.--. --- --
Emergencx
Procedure for
Liquid Nitrogen
In the Research Laboratory
No asphyxiation hazard as maximum quantities should never be exceeded.
In case of total spillage, open windows and main door and allow to disperse.
In the Liquid Nitrogen Store (C 27)
A Never enter the room if the Oxygen deficiency alarm is going off
(Sounding/flashing) Report immediately to a member of the Liquefier staff
B If the alarm sounds whilst in the room, turn off the liquid withdrawal valve.
Open the large swing doors to the Hicks building yard and exit leaving the
doors wide open .. Report immediately to a member of the Liquefier staff.
C If the withdrawal valve is stuck or broken in the open position then the
following procedures can be followed.
Try closing the liquid extraction valve. If the valve nearly closes to a
trickle of gas then exit via the Hicks yard and inform a member of the
Liquefier staff
If the flow is high and cannot be shut off then fully open the "silver"
handled valve on the top of the dewar, ensuring that it is pointing away
from yourself and any other people. This will release the over pressure and
eventually the liquid will stop flowing.
NOTE Opening the gas phase valve will be noisy, so do not be alarmed.
Exit into the Hicks yard leaving the doors open and report to a
member of the Liquefier staff.
Recommended procedure for transportation of Cryogenic
Liquids using the Goods lift
Liquid Nitrogen
Open top dewars - typically the 4L Polystyrene containers should NOT
be transported in the lift. In the event of spillage the liquid expansion
volume would cause an asphyxiation environment. All such movements
should be made using the staircase and no more than two at a time.
Low Pressure sealed dewars (l60L volume) - rarely, if ever should
these vessels need to be transported in the lift. If required to do so, it is
important that the gas over pressure is reduced to 50% of the relief valve
pressure in a well ventilated area. This would be typically 1Opsi/ 0.7 barg.
In the event of breakdown , use the emergency alann for assistance, do
not panic since the relief valve setting will take more than 12 hours to be
reached. It is recommended that such a procedure is undertaken by a
member of the liquefier staff.
Liquid Helium
lOOL sealed dewars - commonly transported between C&D floors. Only
vessels that have been previously connected to the helium recovery
system may be transported. Under these circumstances the dewar
overpressure is ~ atmospheric. Upon removal, proceed immediately to
your destination, reconnecting the dewar back to the recovery system.
Visually check the pressure gauge prior to entering the lift or open
bladder inflation valve (if fitted). Please ensure all valves remain closed
during transportation and the dewar plug is fitted.
In the event of breakdown, use the emergency alann for assistance, do
not panic since the relief valve setting will take more than 12 hours to be
reached. Under no circumstances transport dewars that were not
previously connected to the recovery line or exhibit any frosting on the
top flange. In the latter case seek advice from a member of the liquefier
staff.
General
1. Do not to use the passenger lifts unless the goods lift is out of order
2. Always travel alone
3. Try to avoid transportation during Out of Hours
April 2008
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Safe Working Procedure
This form should be completed for each procedure that may be undertak en in the designated area, which has a
hazard or potential hazard associated with it.
Each procedure an undergraduate, postgraduate, research associat e, staff member, technician or secretary is
expected to perform, must be adequately explained, (with the aid of this form) at the time of their induction
into the working area, by a suitably qualified person.
Date: Octob er 2005
Location : Experimental Physi cs & Astronomy Research Laboratories
Name of supervi sor
General guide: specific procedure to be determined by individuals
Detail s of the procedure : LIQUID NITROGEN USE
Location for LN2 store is C.27
1.00 not enter the room if the Oxygen Defici ency alarm is sounding or the light is flashing.lmmediately report
this to the liquefier staff or senior staff member
2. Never take storage containers(240L Wessington) to a resear ch laboratory unless it has a low level sensor for
Oxygen Deficiency monitoring.(See guide for transport ation if moved from C.27)
3.Should the alarm sound , close the stora ge vesse l valve and exit the room . Follow the Emergency Procedure in
this event
Important information prior to using LN2
I.Read and understand the guidance notes contained within the cryogeni cs section of the Laboratory Safety
folder situated in each research laboratory
2.Calculate the maximum quantities permitted in the laboratory/work area, but use the minimum that is
necessary ( See calculation informat ion)
3. Receiv e appropri ate PPE and a practical demonstration from a competent colleague
4. Sign the declaration as a registered and trained user(Pl ease see C. Vickers,C.10)
5. Only use 4L capacity polystyren e containers and carry no more than 2 at anytime .
6. Always use the stairs and not the lift
General use
I . Only pour into equipment specia lly designed for LN2
2. Use your PPE
3. Avoid splashin g liquid on bare skin, especially the eyes
4. Burns to hands/fingers to be treated as for hot burns
Current safety precautions for this procedure
1. Guidance notes in the Laboratory Safety folder.
2. Read the "Golden Rules "
3. Use PPE
4. Know the Emergen cy Procedure
To calculate the maximum permitted asphyxiant that can be
stored in a Laboratory so as to preserve a life sustaining
atmosphere in the case of spillage or accidental venting.
Assume that the asphyxiant is fully mixed with the air in the room.
The normal concentration of oxygen is 20.9%
Oxygen concentrations below 18% are considered hazardous.
The volume of asphyxiant is therefore given by,
v ==v _0.18V
R
m'
A R 0.209
where V
R
is the volume of the room in rrr', or
Example: what is the largest volume of liquid nitrogen that can be safely stored
in Cll Laboratory, to avoid an oxygen depleted atmosphere?
Data Volume ofCll Laboratory = 127 m
3
1 litre of liquid nitrogen is 0.683 rrr'
then,
VA == 0.139 X 127 == 17.6 m
3
of gas or
VA = 17.6/0.683 == 25.8 Iitres of liquid equivalent.
Taking a 500/0 safety factor, to allow for the fact that at the point of spill, the
oxygen depletion will be highest,
maximum permitted level is == 12.9 litres
of liquid nitrogen
(this is equivalent to 3-4 polystyrene buckets full)
You can compare this calculation with the data on the accompanying sheet.
Remember also that there can be a natural change of air in a room every ] -2 h.
ROOM OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS -IN FULLY MIXED ATMOSPHERE - RESULTING FROM LEAK I SPILLAGE
ROOM VOLUMES (in m3)
NITROGEN VOLUME 50 100 150 200 250 300 400 500 750 1000 1250
Cylinder (size mm) GAS (m3) OXYGEN CONCENTRATION
140x940 (230 bar) 2.1 X 20.1% 20.5% 20.6% 20.7% 20.8% 20.8% 20.8% 20.9% 20.9% 20.9% 20.9%
230x1460 (230 bar) 9.78 W 16.8% 18.9% 19.5% 19.9% 20.1% 20.3% 20.4% 20.5% 20.7% 20.7% 20.8%
230x1640 (230 bar) 10.78 Z 16.4% 18.7% 19.4% 19.8% 20.0% 20.2% 20.4% 20.5% 20.6% 20.7% 20.8%
CARBON DIOXIDE VOLUME
Cylinder (size mm) GAS (m3) OXYGEN CONCENTRATION
140X940 (50 bar) 3.3 19.6% 20.3% 20.5% 20.6% 20.7% 20.7% 20.8% 20.8% 20.9% 20.9% 20.9%
203x870 (50bar) 7.3 17.9% 19.4% 19.9% 20.2% 20.3% 20.4% 20.6% 20.6% 20.7% 20.8% 20.8%
230x1496 (50bar) 18 13.4% 17.2% 18.4% 19.1% 19.4% 19.7% 20.0% 20.2% 20.4% 206.0% 20.6%
ARGON VOLUME
Cylinder (size mm) GAS (m3) OXYGEN CONCENTRATION
230x1460 (230bar) 11.01 16.3% 18.6% 19.4% 19.8% 20.0% 20.2% 20.4% 20.5% 20.6% 20.7% 20.8%
NITROGEN VOLUME
LIQUID (Iitres) GAS (m3) OXYGEN CONCENTRATION
10 6.83 18.1% 19.5% 20.0% 20.2% 20.4% 20.5% 20.6% 20.7% 20.7% 20.8% 20.8%
25 17.1 13.8% 17.4% 18.6% 19.2% 19.5% 19.8% 20.1% 20.2% 20.5% 20.6% 20.7%
50 34.1 6.6% 13.8% 16.1% 17.3% 18.1% 18.6% 19.1% 19.5% 19.9% 20.2% 20.4%
100 68.2 0.0% 6.6% 11.4% 13.8% 15.2% 16.2% 17.3% 18.1% 19.0% 19.2% 19.8%
150 102.3 0.0% 0.0% 6.6% 10.2% 12.4% 13.8% 15.6% 16.7% 18.1% 18.8% 19.2%
200 136.4 0.0% 0.0% 1.9% 6.6% 9.5% 11.4% 13.8% 15.2% 17.1% 18.1% 18.7%
250 170.5 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.1% 6.6% 9.0% 12.2% 13.8% 16.2% 17.3% 18.1%
300 204.6 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.8% 6.6% 10.2% 12.4% 15.2% 16.6% 17.5%
400 272.8 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.9% 6.6% 9.5% 13.3% 15.2% 16.4%
500 341 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.1% 6.6% 11.4% 13.8% 15.2%
600 409.2 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.8% 9.5% 12.4% 14.1%
Oxygen concentrations below 18% must be considered hazardous
The calculations above will be valid where the gas is fully mixed with the air in the room.
At the point of the leak I spill - the concentration of oxygen will be significantly lower than indicated above.
If 2 cylinders are connected via a changeover valve then the maximum volume of gas which could leak doubles, and the resulting Oxygen concentration
can be calculated by halving the room volume and reading off the Oxygen concentrat ion for the smaller sized room.