This article is about technical requirements of Layout and Spacing of Extruders & Radioactive Sources in petrochemical plants.
Radioactive sources are widely used in various industries such as nuclear power plants, oil and gas production, medical facilities, and research labs. While they provide benefits in many applications, they can also pose a significant risk if not handled and stored properly. One of the key considerations in ensuring the safe use of radioactive sources is their spacing within a plant.
Layout and Spacing of Extruders & Radioactive Sources in Plant
Extruders Spacing in Plants
- Sufficient clear access should be provided around the extruder for entry of mobile maintenance equipment and for dismantling extruder components such as pelletizer and barrels. Monorails may be required to remove components. A laydown area for monorail should have access for removing components from building. Monorail may extend outside of building to permit loading and unloading of equipment parts onto mobile equipment. An adequate unobstructed laydown/dropout area shall be provided for carrying out any emergency repairs at site.
- A clear height must be maintained for the overhead passage of the monorail carrying the largest part from extruder.
- Piping to and from extruder should be routed in such a way to minimize obstructions/interferences at pelletizer, barrels and drivers to facilitate maintenance and removal.
- Allow clearance for pelletizer water flex lines rotation/movement when rolling the pelletizer back and forth.
Radioactive Sources Spacing in Plants
- Plant Equipment
- Radioactive sources that are used to monitor or meter intermediate streams or products inside plant equipment shall be located in areas away from walkways or high personnel traffic areas, and shall be made inaccessible by locked cages or fences.
- Platforms, ladders, or stairs shall be provided for access to sources requiring leak tests and wipe tests.
- A locked cage area with limited access shall be provided to temporarily place radioactive sources that are removed from a piece of equipment, or to temporarily store inspection equipment that may contain radioactive sources.
- Labeling, warning signs, storage, and transportation of radioactive sources, materials or sludge, shall follow the guidelines and procedures set forth by the facility radiation safety officer.
- Equipment spacing for pumps, vessels, towers, exchangers, and piping that may contain Naturally Radioactive Material (NORM) shall be as specified in the attached tables to allow for testing and removal of NORM containing materials in a manner required by the facility radiation safety officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the standard size of extruder?
The standard size of a screw extruder varies depending on the application and the material being processed. The typical sizes range from 1 to 6 inches (25 to 150 mm), with a length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio from 20 to 30, with 24 being the most common. The L/D ratio is the ratio of the length of the screw to its diameter. The screw is the main component of the extruder and is responsible for conveying the material from the hopper to the die.
2. What is the difference between expander and turbine?
A turbine is a device that converts energy from a fluid flow into useful work, such as generating electricity. It usually consists of a rotor assembly with blades that are turned by the fluid flow, and a stationary component called a stator that helps to redirect and accelerate the flow onto the blades. Turbines are commonly used in power generation, aviation, and marine propulsion systems.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOn the other hand, an expander is a device that converts the potential energy of a fluid into useful work, often by expanding the fluid across a set of blades or vanes. The energy source for an expander can be a high-pressure gas or steam, and the resulting work output can be used to drive a compressor, generator, or other machinery. Expanders are commonly used in chemical and petrochemical processes, as well as in energy recovery applications such as waste heat recovery.
To study more plant process equipments: Safety Considerations for Plant Layout Levels