Safety Alert
Liquid metal embrittlement by mercury in the refining and allied process industries
Liquid metal embrittlement by mercury in the refining and allied process industries
- HSE
- Safety Alert
- HID2-2014
- CorrosionHazardous Substances
- Hazardous substancesLoss of containmentStructural and asset integrity
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Risk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
HSE warns refining and allied process operators about mercury-induced liquid metal embrittlement and failures of primary containment. It discusses susceptible alloys and potentially unknown material couples, recommending risk-based precautions that could include mercury removal from process streams and suitable construction materials. Occupational exposure hazards are explicitly outside its scope.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
HID2-2014. Themes: corrosion, hazardous substances.