PROCESS EVALUATION ON RELEASED CHLORINE ON 25 FEB 2017, around at 7 pm.

Chlorine
from plant

line circulation
bypass tower

Chlorine to next tower T-730-A

Chhlorine
emission

T-730-B (Chlorine absorption tower)

D-720-B
Hypo tank

circulation hypo, 40 m3/H

P-724

Explanation : hypo will decompose to NaCl and O2 when NaOH go to zero,

so that can be drained to pit, safely

Normally :
NaOH solution is circulated by P-724, through T-730-B to absorb chlorine and react with NaOH to produce NaClO (hypo)
At the beginning concentration of NaOH is 18% wt, and will decrease by time due to react with chlorine untill near to zero
where after that the hypo will decompose then can be drained to chemical pit with added amount of sodium sulphite

On that 25 Feb 2017, at 08.00 NaOH content was remain 8 %wt, and at 17.00, NaOH has decreased just remain 1 %wt.
At 19.00, operator found that any emission coming out from venting D-720-B, then was reported that 2 persons has suffered
by emission chlorine so that need to be send to clinic.
When checked in lab, the concentration of NaOh was zero (gone), so that operator stop circulation and chlorine emission didn't occurred anymore

Explanation :
Based on the chronology, the chlorine emission can be explained as follow.
When concentration NaOH was zero, while still in circulation through the tower, the liquid (hypo) will absorp physically of chlorine
(no reaction due to NaOH was zero). Then, the absorped chlorine gas will be splashed out at the top of tank T-720-B.
Unfortunatelly, the venting to hypo doesn't sufficient to release the chlorine so that chlorine also release to atmosphere through open venting

Recommendation :
1. Making closed system for venting D-720-B, equipped with vacuum and pressure breakers, to ensure no emission chlorine anymore
2. Install line circulation of tank, bypass of absorption tower, to carry out circuulation internal tank during treatment for decomposition
(when NaOH concentration near to zero )
3. Issue MOC for both recommendations

Process Team :
1. BTM CA' 5. Supriyatno (Technical)
2. Day Supervisor CA 6. Rieky Sagara (Technical)
3. Shift Foreman CA
4. Operator HCl/Hypo

Prepared by, Approved by,

Rieky Sagara Supriyatno

anymore