Spray Nozzles Protect Lives and Environment in Case of Accidental Hydrofluoric Acid Spills
 Industry, Government Searched for Ways to Dissipate Deadly Gas
Large chemical and petroleum processing plants use hydrofluoric acid in the production of many chemicals. An accidental release of this toxic chemical can result in death of vegetation, animals and humans. To address the life-threatening release of hydrofluoric acid, a consortium of industry and government experts formed the Industry Cooperative Hydrofluoric Acid Mitigation Assessment Program.
PROBLEM: Both the Department of Energy and chemical companies have been testing ways to reduce the dangers of hydrofluoric acid release since an accidental spill can result in great devastation or death.
SOLUTION: Two headers, one 20' (6 m) high and the other 50' (15 m) high, completely surround the perimeter of the chemical processing plant. Depending on the size of the plant, between 500 to 2000 SpiralJet® nozzles, mounted on 2' (0.6 m) centers, are pointed downward toward the processing area. In case of a rupture in the line, a wall of water is literally created containing the acid within the perimeter of the plant. Since water is continually circulating through the lines from an 800,000 gallon (3,000 m3) tank, containment is quick and effective.
Why SpiralJet nozzles are specified for this application
Virtually any FullJet® nozzle could be used for this application. However, the SpiralJet nozzle has already been proven and tested, simplifying the specification process. Model 1HHSJ-90340 delivers 68 gpm at 40 psi (257 l/min at 3 bar).
With the continued increase in regulation, any processing plant involved with hydrofluoric acid will eventually be required to install a mitigation system.
The type 1HHSJ is a full cone spray nozzle available for spray angles ranging from 60° to 170°. These compact nozzles permit maximum liquid throughput for a given pipe size and the free passage design minimizes clogging. The compact size can be installed or retrofitted on most pipe systems. Available in NPT or BSPT (M) threads.
Flow capacity at 40 psi (3 bar) ranges from 1.4 to 1050 gpm (5.5 to 4140 l/min).
Sizes ¼" to 2" are available in brass, cast 316 stainless steel and Teflon® or PVC materials. Brass version is available with hex design. Stainless steel with flats. Teflon® and PVC nozzles with rounded design. In the larger 3" and 4" sizes, both brass and stainless steel are available in flats design only. They can also be produced from a wide variety of other materials for specific applications.
Teflon® is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company.
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