Abstract:
Pyrophoric material such as iron sulfide is frequently found in refinery equipment. When the equipment is opened to the atmosphere for maintenance, an exothermic reaction may take place that can cause catastrophic damage. A process for treating pyrophoric material uses ozonated water to oxidize iron sulfide to iron oxide. The heat produced by this exothermic reaction is absorbed by the ozonated water.
Abstract:
Pyrophoric material such as iron sulfide is frequently found in refinery equipment. When the equipment is opened to the atmosphere for maintenance, an exothermic reaction may take place that can cause catastrophic damage. A process according to the invention for treating pyrophoric material uses the controlled introduction of an oxygen-containing gas to safely oxidize the pyrophoric material. The oxygen-containing gas may be air.