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Written by Bryan Haywood

Parent Category: Safety Info Posts

Category: Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

Published: 14 November 2014

A while back, I was participating in a PHA of a refrigeration process, and somehow, the discussion led to one that scared me a bit... collecting a liquid ammonia sample to test for water content.  The actual art of ammonia refrigeration not being my area of expertise, I had always reserved Bulletin No. 108. Guidelines for Water Contamination in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems for a rainy day reading project (which never came).  I focused more on the process safety-related items and thought water contamination was merely a production/energy issue and, therefore, no safety/health risks.  That was MY IGNORANCE, and now I am kicking myself for missing this task in previous PHA/JHA’s and Audits.  But having asked around of many of my friends and clients in the refrigeration industry, I have come to realize that I may not be the only ignorant ass safety professional when it comes to catching liquid ammonia samples!  Here are my questions and concerns with the task...

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