Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Page 1 of 16 page(s)
General Perlite
Filling Procedure
Page 2 of 16 page(s)
Content
1. Scope ........................................................................................................................................3
2. Purpose .....................................................................................................................................3
3. Definitions..................................................................................................................................3
4. Normative References ..............................................................................................................4
5. Terms and Definitions ...............................................................................................................5
5.1 Expanded Perlite .......................................................................................................................5
5.2 Cold Box Insulation ...................................................................................................................5
6. Quality Assurance .....................................................................................................................5
7. Required Properties ..................................................................................................................6
7.1 General......................................................................................................................................6
7.2 Loose Density and Compacted Density ....................................................................................7
7.3 Compacted Density after Abrasion Test ...................................................................................7
7.4 Mean Particle Diameter.............................................................................................................7
7.5 Thermal Conductivity ................................................................................................................8
7.6 Moisture Content .......................................................................................................................9
7.7 Organic Material Content ..........................................................................................................9
8. Insulation of Cold Boxes ...........................................................................................................9
8.1 Bulk Density at Manufacturing ..................................................................................................9
8.2 Bulk Density after Filling............................................................................................................9
8.3 Volume ....................................................................................................................................10
8.4 Distribution / Vibration / Recharging .......................................................................................10
9. HSE .........................................................................................................................................10
9.1 Classification of the Hazardous Potential of the Insulation Material .......................................10
9.2 Handling of Insulation Material ................................................................................................10
9.3 Protective Measures ...............................................................................................................11
10. Working with Perlite ................................................................................................................11
11. Preparatory work items prior to cold box filling .......................................................................11
12. Basic principles for cold box fillings ........................................................................................13
13. Perlite Filling Method Statement .............................................................................................15
14. Documentation and Quality Recording ...................................................................................16
Page 3 of 16 page(s)
1. Scope
This specification governs the material requirements and the description of the internal Cold Box
insulation with expanded perlite for the 1200 MTPD Ammonia Plant, Bulo Bulo / Bolivia.
2. Purpose
d) Technical support for the inspection prior to and during cold box filling
3. Definitions
Can Can – requirements are conditional and indicate possibility open to the user
of the specification.
May May indicates a course of action that is permissible within the limits of the
specification.
Supplier Linde
Perlite-Specialist
Contractor Contractor employed by Company to fill cold box with Perlite
Page 4 of 16 page(s)
4. Normative References
This specification contains provisions which, through undated references in this text, constitute
provisions of other publications. The normative references are cited at the respective part in the text
and the publications are listed below. Issues valid at the time of placement of order shall govern.
DIN 4102-4 Fire behaviour of building materials and building components - synopsis and
application of classified building materials, components and special components
EN ISO 787-11 General methods of test for pigments and extenders - Part 11: Determination of
tamped volume and apparent density after tamping
BGI 644 (BG Metall) Gefahren durch Sauerstoff (danger caused by oxigen)
Page 5 of 16 page(s)
Expanded perlite will be produced from volcanic rock, mineralogical designation perlite, by shortly
exposing the fine-ground perlite ore to temperatures up to 1100 °C in a furnace. During that process
the water of crystallization evaporates and expands the softened perlite grain by 15 to 20 fold of its
original volume. Thus, an expanded perlite grain with a glassy cellular structure is formed. The
chemical analysis of perlite yields a composition of about 75 % SIO2, about 15 % Al2O3 and
insignificant parts of other oxides; the specific analysis, however, varies from mine to mine. Further
properties of expanded perlite are listed in Table 2.
Please note: According latest information delivery condition of perlite is raw perlite for expansion on
site before filling of cold box. Due to smaller transport volume raw perlite is delivered. Specialist
Contractor is responsible for expansion on site and preparation of required equipment on site.
A cold box insulation consists of a gas tight casing, in which equipment and piping are installed, any
remaining space is filled with insulating material and a slightly positive gas gage pressure is
maintained. The temperatures of the equipment parts are usually between 77 K and 300 K.
6. Quality Assurance
The properties of expanded perlite are influenced by the specific chemical composition of the volcanic
rock existing in the mine and by the individual control of the expansion process at the different
manufacturers. For the quality assurance of our products, however, the expanded perlite intended for
use shall fulfill the properties required in Table 1. Therefore, the properties (marked in following table
with *) are determined in a qualification test, and documented in a test report right before filling on
site.
A comparison between the determined and the required properties supplies the decision criteria for
the use of the insulation material.
Page 6 of 16 page(s)
7. Required Properties
7.1 General
Page 7 of 16 page(s)
Expanded perlite is available as bulk material with a certain grain distribution. The lowest bulk density,
which is obtained when filling the material loosely, is known as loose density. By tamping the
particles are moving against each other and the smaller ones remain in general in the gaps between
the greater ones, until an optimum bulk density, known as compacted density, will be obtained. For
all insulations with expanded perlite the compacted density should be achieved, as otherwise a
subsequent settlement of the filled in material has to be expected. For perlite qualities which are
suited for low temperature insulations the compacted density is about 30 to 50 % above the loose
density.
By simply continuing the tamping operation the density of the filled in material cannot be increased.
An increase is only possible by applying external forces such as e.g. by the proper weight of thick
insulation layer or by contraction movements of vessels. In such a case the fracture of the cellular
walls on the particle surface leads to a clamping together of individual particles, and the filled in
material looses its flow ability partly or even completely.
An expanded perlite grain has a cellular structure with thin glassy walls. At mechanical loading of the
material, e.g. pneumatic conveying in a long pipeline, parts of the cellular walls break off and an
unwanted fine abrasion is forming. The resistance against abrasion of an expanded perlite is
influenced by the properties of the perlite ore and by the expansion process. The abrasion test carried
out in Linde's laboratories is an internal comparison test against standard qualities and gives
information if, in case of pneumatic conveying, a considerable increase in density has to be expected.
The mean particle diameter of a bulk material of expanded perlite is determined from a sieve analysis
and defines a mean grain size. If expanded perlite is used as a low-temperature insulation material,
the mean particle diameter specified in Table 1 has to fulfill the standard requirements of practice. For
a too small grain an increase of the density and in particular a higher flow resistance has to be
expected when producing an insulating vacuum. For a too large grain the formation of convection and
the radiation transmission are increased.
Page 8 of 16 page(s)
Due to the involved costs, the thermal conductivity won't be measured in a qualification test. For a
material filled in at atmospheric pressure, the thermal conductivity can be taken from Table 2. It can
be used as an approximately parameter as a function of the mean temperature for different densities.
Increasing grain size and higher moisture content increase the thermal conductivity.
0,075
192 kg/m3
0,07
160 kg/m3
0,065
144 kg/m3
0,06 128 kg/m3
Thermal Conductivity (W/mK)
0,04
0,035
0,03
0,025
0,02
0,015
0,01
100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Temperature (K)
Page 9 of 16 page(s)
Material coming directly from the furnace has a very low moisture content of up to 0.2 % by weight.
For long-time storage in the open air a balance of up to 1.5 % by weight is obtained, depending on
ambient humidity. For that reason perlite shall be protected against moisture during transportation and
storage.
The whole moisture content in the insulating material when e.g. installed in a cold box, diffuses to the
cold points of the vessels and precipitates there as ice.
In case of discharging a cold box and if a still cold material is pneumatically conveyed with ambient
air, the air humidity will be condensing. Depending on the condition of the suction air, the moisture
content can rise up to about 5 % by weight. Material being exposed to rain can reach the max.
moisture content of up to 900 % by weight. In both cases the material is not usable any longer.
Considering the perlite ore and the high temperature during expansion process, perlite does not
contain any organic materials. The firing equipment of the expansion furnace may be a source for
contaminations. When using expanded perlite a limiting value of organic material content may not be
exceeded, to comply with BGI 644 (Regulation for the Prevention of Accidents, Oxygen).
This value has been fixed to 0.3 % by weight. Thus, the degree of contaminations is preset below the
value of 0.5 % by weight, which is permissible acc. to BGI 644. The reason for that measure is due to
the fact that an investigated sample is not absolutely representative for the whole quantity of
insulation material, as an unequal distribution must be expected.
The maximum allowable bulk density for expansion in a portable furnace on site is up to 60 kg/m³;
efforts should be made to obtain a bulk density of about 45 kg/m3.
The maximum allowable bulk density after pneumatic filling directly from the furnace on site:
55-65 kg/m3 (Empirical values of Linde for calculating the weight of the filled in perlite).
Page 10 of 16 page(s)
8.3 Volume
The Supplier shall specify the insulating volume. The Perlite Supplier Specialist shall determine the
required perlite quantity to be delivered for that purpose.
For details please refer to:
Linde Doc. No.: &AA-0100 W-DW 1001
"PERLITE VOLUME"
In order to avoid recharging and / or to reduce the recharge quantity, the Perlite Specialist Contractor
should take appropriate measures to support a uniform distribution. For that purpose, the Perlite
Specialist Contractor shall submit a specific vibrating procedure together with the quotation. In any
case, the consent of Company's responsible shall be obtained.
9. HSE
In general the HSE requirements of YPFB/Bulo Bulo project shall be considered as mandatory.
The manufacturer respectively the supplier shall examine, classify and identify the insulation material
with respect to the hazardous potential. If the material has to be rated as potentially hazardous, a
safety-datasheet (according to TRGS 220) shall be delivered / attached to the filling procedure and
shall be available on site.
For the rating "harmless" a document of compliance shall be attached to the filling procedure.
Anyway the manufacturer/supplier shall consider the subsequent handling of the insulation material.
The supplier of the insulation material shall prepare a risk assessment related to the job site
considering the handling of the insulation material. The above mentioned manufacturer's identification
shall be observed.
Page 11 of 16 page(s)
As basis the EC safety data sheet (91/155/EWG) can be referred on, which states that expended
perlite is classified as a non - toxic, low risk material, but the recommended safety equipment should
be used as required for particular task. Safety shoes, overalls, gloves, safety goggles, adequate fine
particulate masks and hard hats shall be used in general.
If (e.g. on job sites outside of the EC) no information regarding the hazardous potential of the
insulation material is available by the manufacturer and the rated insulation material is not available
elsewhere, the use of the above mentioned safety equipment is strongly recommended.
Caution:
Perlite products can contain crystalline silica, which is considered to be a nuisance dust.
Inhalation of high amounts of any nuisance dust over long periods can overload the lung clearance
mechanism and make the lungs vulnerable to respiratory disease.
Personnel involved in working with bulk perlite shall be trained in safe and correct methods of
handling perlite and its characteristics. This training shall be recorded. Working crews shall be
experienced in perlite handling and shall be supervised.
The following listed single points shall be checked and confirmed by Company in writing to the
supplier. Before receipt of that confirmation and the release for filling the manufacturer / supplier is not
allowed to start with the cold box filling.
Please note:
The following list is as a basis for a check list. The purpose of this list is to give a general overview of
the work before perlite filling of cold boxes can be started.
Page 12 of 16 page(s)
1) Cold box fittings including piping and instrument lines, shall be installed, tested and
accepted with respect to alignment, process, cold shrinkage and supports. This
procedure shall be recorded.
2) Non-destructive tests, pressure- and leakage tests shall have been successfully
completed and logged.
3) All installation clamps of horizontal installed cold box valves shall have been removed
prior to stuffing the bulkheads with mineral wool.
4) The bulkheads of the flanged items, refrigeration fittings, flow measuring and others shall
be prepared for the box filling, stuffed with mineral wool and sealed.
5) The bellows at the valves shall be sealed with silicon.
6) The N2 purge gas pipes in the box are supplied to site lagged with Fategon”, i.e. the box
purge system shall be prepared for feeding N2 gas. "Fategon" layers installed at
supplier's workshop have to be inspected on site by Company and in case of damages
or losses reinstalled.
7) All temperature measurements- and heating units for dry pressure relief shall have been
checked for function ability and logged by responsible electrical installation personnel.
8) The internal box space, including lateral and diagonal struts shall be cleaned and dry.
9) All combustible materials shall have been removed from the cold box inside.
10) The internal box spaces shall be blown out with warm, dry, oil-free air to remove any
residual moisture.
11) The dummy passages of the plate-fin heat exchanger shall be prepared for the box
perlite filling. Therefore at all PFHE all temporary preservation valves have to be opened
for discharge of N2 filling, preservation valves have to be removed and hole of
preservation valves have to be covered with self adhesive aluminium tape.
12) Safety devices (meshes, nets or grating covers) shall be prepared and fitted to the filling
openings, manhole covers and the exhaust openings on the roof.
13) Scaffolding shall be removed completely.
14) The internal process piping shall have been under a pressure of approximately 0.5bar
during scaffolding removal and no leaks have been noted. This shall be recorded.
15) The proper function of the temperature measurement and heating units for dry pressure
relief shall have been checked during removal of the scaffolding. This shall be recorded.
16) All measuring lines are installed and tested at suppliers workshop, but have to be visual
inspected about damages on site.
17) All manhole covers shall be fitted with the specified sealing (refer to cold box shell
penetration drawings attachment 1 to 2 in this document, and for typical parts to LS493-
06). The sealing shall have been cleaned.
18) All safety flaps shall have to be visually inspected for damages, proper installation and
sealing seat after transport/lifting and all sealing faces and sealing shall have been
cleaned.
Page 13 of 16 page(s)
19) All safety flaps shall have been locked prior to perlite filling (please refer to attached
marked drawings).
20) The bottom of the temperature junction boxes shall have been filled with sand and
covered with thin layer of concrete to ensure gas–tightness.
21) Bridge Cold box (Expander Duct) is finally (gas tight) connected to cold box.
1) The perlite shall be conveyed pneumatically by means of dry, oil-free air. If there is no
dry, oil-free air available also dry N2 can be used taking special precautions.
2) All openings / manholes of the box except the filling manhole in use and the exhaust
opening shall be closed and protected during perlite filling (please refer to attached
marked drawings). Ingress of rain, snow or other moisture into the box shall be avoided.
If the protective measures are not sufficient to ensure the above mentioned
requirements during extreme weather conditions, the perlite filling shall be interrupted
and the box shall be sealed for the period of interruption.
3) It is strictly forbidden to enter the box after the filling process has been started!
4) All openings which won't be needed for perlite filling shall be sealed and permanently
locked. This shall be done with acceptance of suppliers Commissioning Group. The
details shall be given in the filling procedure by the Perlite Specialist Contractor.
5) Filling shall always be carried out in sections from level to level starting at the bottom
moving to the top (please refer to attached marked drawings).
6) The maximum filling height from level to level shall be specified by the Perlite Specialist
Contractor and shall be confirmed by Company.
7) To ensure a homogenous filling of the cold box as far as possible, perlite should be filled
in via manholes that are either diagonal to each other or at the extreme ends on the
longer side of the box. Details shall be given by the supplier in the filling procedure.
Please refer to attached drawings with marked positions of manholes.
8) The quality of the produced / filled perlite shall be checked and recorded according to
chapter 14 of this specification.
9) It's generally not allowed to fill in damp perlite. Please refer to moisture content specified
in chapter 7.6.
10) Exhaust filters shall be installed by the supplier on the roof at the manhole openings.
The number shall be given by the Perlite Specialist Contractor in the filling procedure.
11) No pressure shall be applied to the piping system within the box while the valves are
locked.
12) To reduce nuisance dust the open manholes in filling process should be covered by filter
cloths as far as possible.
Page 14 of 16 page(s)
13) If required (in case of heavy rain, longer stop of perlite filling etc.), the box shall be
flushed with dry purge N2 to avoid moisture inside of the cold box.
14) To ensure a proper perlite distribution, the cold box section that is actually being filled by
means of a perlite production plant shall be vibrated below the perlite level. For this
purpose, vibrators shall be installed on the outside wall of the cold box. The vibrator
settings shall be determined on site together with the Perlite Specialist Contractor
installation manager to ensure the level of vibration moment as low as possible. The
basic principle shall be given by contractor in the filling method statement.
15) The box pressure shall be checked and recorded during perlite filling via process control
system. The max. allowable pressure during perlite filling shall be limited to the max.
allowable pressure of the cold box itself. Please refer to given pressures in the
Installation, Operation and Maintenance Instruction (IOMI).
16) No vacuum shall exist in any part of the cold box as this would attract moisture from the
outside.
17) After filling of every section a visual check shall be performed from outside through
openings left open for perlite filling to ensure that no hollow spaces have been formed
under equipment, fittings and piping. If required, the vibration procedure shall be
repeated. It is strictly forbidden to enter the box for the visual check.
18) For safety reasons and to prevent any unwanted material from falling into the cold box
from the roof, a safety basket shall be installed in the filling opening.
19) During the filling of the top section of the cold box it might be needed to distribute the
perlite into the corners manually by using suitable tools.
20) The perlite level shall be checked through the roof manholes after approximately
1 week of operation. Precautions shall be taken to ensure the physical inviolability of
personnel due to escaping N2 gas and nobody can fall into the perlite and become
submerged. If required, the perlite shall be topped up as described. This check and
replenishment shall be part of the contract between Company and Perlite Specialist
Contractor.
21) Further annually checks of the perlite level shall be done during operation of the plant.
This is not part of the contract and shall be done by Company's Maintenance Group
and/or Perlite Specialist Contractor.
Page 15 of 16 page(s)
Together with the quotation the Perlite Specialist Contractor shall submit a Perlite Filling Method
Statement. This procedure shall describe in detail all information required to enable Company to
perform a qualified evaluation. This procedure shall include but not be limited to the following details:
road blocking
pump capacity
number of personnel
supply of gas
consumption of electricity
supply of N2
transport equipment
lifting equipment
Page 16 of 16 page(s)
The perlite supplier shall ensure and check the quality of the produced and filled perlite as defined in
this specification. The supplier shall generate the following quality records and shall submit them to
Company construction site management.
b) Signed record of positive visual check for each filled box section.
After completion of the cold box filling the stored samples shall be sent to Linde laboratory, for
analysis. The construction management is responsible for the contemporary dispatch to Linde.