Analysis of the safety effectiveness of methane gas valve pits: A Case Study in the Steel Industry Based on Hazardous Areas Classification

Introduction: Methane is one of the most widely used gases in industries with a high flammability potential. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of ventilation systems installed on methane valve pits based on hazardous areas classification. Material and Methods: This study was implemented in a steel industry in Qom Province in 2019. The tools used in this study were a DELTA OHM pitot tube (DO-2003) to measure wind speed, EPA Protocol for equipment leak emission estimates (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and IEC-60079-10 for evaluating the safety of ventilation of methane valve pits. Results: The methane LELm was about 0.0334 kg/m(3), and the volume of the release area was approximately VZ=0.053 m3. The expected leak emissions were within the Vz<0.1 m(3) range. The ventilation system embedded on methane distribution pipelines was not effective for openings with diameters of more than 0.3 mm and the volume of gas inside the valve pits would quickly exceed high ventilation border which might lead to a dangerous accumulation of gas in the valve pits. Conclusion: Given that a very small opening or leak in gas transmission valves may lead to the formation of an explosive atmosphere, it is essential to monitor methane before entering the valve pit area and performing any operations on valve pits.