Digest
Thermal Expansion runs hot and cold! — Process Safety Beacon, August 2025
Thermal Expansion runs hot and cold! — Process Safety Beacon, August 2025
- CCPS
- Digest
- Process Safety Beacon August 2025
- Pressure SystemsProcess SafetyStructural and Asset Integrity
- Loss of containmentPressure systemsStructural and asset integrity
- Process pipework and pipelinesValve
- Energy and process isolationOperating and work proceduresPressure relief
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
This bulletin explains how heating trapped liquids and freezing accumulated water can rupture process pipework. Two chemical-processing incidents illustrate releases, fires and injuries involving a burst strainer and cracked propane piping. It highlights pressure relief, established isolation and depressurisation procedures, accommodation of thermal movement and temperature-dependent freezeproofing.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pressure relief; overpressure protection.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Summary
One-page Beacon on thermal expansion and contraction hazards in blocked-in piping and equipment.
Process Safety Beacon August 2025. Themes: pressure systems, process safety, structural and asset integrity.