Classification of hazardous areas - natural gas installations

Abstract

An explosive atmosphere can be created by a gas or vapor, dust or even fibers. Methane-based risks dominate the gas generation and distribution sector. The probability that any hazard exists in fuel concentration is determined by the specifics of the system under consideration. For example, a natural gas vent line is much more likely to contain this hazard than a lube oil line - unless, of course, the oil line flange joint is leaking. In this work we present the global assessment of the risks of explosion that inevitably involves the definition and classification of hazardous areas with natural gas due to the presence of explosive atmospheres.