Gas leaks are a common and challenging challenge in enterprise production, storage, and transportation. The gases involved are diverse, including compressed, flammable, and toxic gases.
These leaks pose multiple risks, potentially causing safety incidents such as fires, explosions, and poisoning. They also lead to energy waste, equipment failure, and negative environmental impacts.
So, what are the specific types of gas leaks? And what effective preventive measures should be taken for each type of leak?
Types of Gas Leaks
Gas leaks can be primarily categorized as small-pore leaks and large-area leaks. When gas leaks, turbulence forms at the leak site, generating specific sound waves whose characteristics are related to the vibration frequency, size, and geometry of the leak hole.
Larger leaks produce sound waves with lower frequencies, within the audible range of the human ear; however, smaller leaks produce sound waves with higher frequencies, exceeding 20kHz, which are considered ultrasonic and imperceptible to the human ear.
Typically, gas leak detection focuses on small-hole leaks, such as those in valves, pipes, reactors, and tanks, or long-term, continuous gas leaks caused by seal failure at related joints.
Based on the characteristics of the gas leak source, the type of leak, and its location, gas leaks can be categorized into the following three types:
01 Leakage from Sealing Components
Most major gas leaks in industries such as coal, petroleum, and chemicals stem from improper seal installation, inappropriate design, or seal aging. Gas sealing works by reducing gaps between equipment joints through close contact between sealing surfaces. However, since gaps between components cannot be completely eliminated, theoretically, gas leakage from sealing areas is likely to persist.
02 Leakage from Pipes or Tanks
Aging, weakening of the material strength of pipes or tanks, corrosion by corrosive substances, and excessive gas pressure or drastic pressure fluctuations can all lead to damage, potentially causing gas leaks. However, as long as pressure vessels are strictly scrapped and replaced according to their service life, these issues are rarely encountered.
03 Discharge of Pressure Relief Components Such as Safety Relief Valves
Pressure relief components typically include safety relief valves, pressure reducing valves, and safety valves, primarily used in steam, gas, or vapor control and pressure relief systems. This type of gas release, except for the aforementioned valve failure, is often discharged as treated exhaust gas or used in pneumatic power systems.
How can gas leaks be effectively prevented?
Industrial gases possess hazardous properties such as flammability, toxicity, asphyxiation, corrosiveness, and explosiveness. They can also undergo oxidation, decomposition, and polymerization, making them highly susceptible to fires, explosions, poisoning, and other workplace safety accidents. Therefore, understanding safety precautions for gas leaks is crucial to preventing accidents.
01 Equip portable gas detectors and strengthen safety inspections
Workers should strengthen safety inspections and be equipped with portable gas detectors to promptly identify leaks and effectively address them, thereby reducing accidents and casualties.
02 Install fixed gas detectors
Install fixed gas detectors in locations prone to toxic and hazardous gas leaks to monitor gas leak concentrations in real time. If the concentration of the gas leak reaches or exceeds the preset value, the alarm will immediately emit audible and visual alarm signals. It can also activate solenoid valves, fans, and other equipment to prevent accidents.
03 Regular Maintenance and Timely Repairs
Users should regularly calibrate combustible and toxic gas alarms to ensure their accuracy and sensitivity. If an instrument malfunctions, consult a professional or contact the manufacturer for repair; do not disassemble it yourself.
04 Enhance Safety Awareness and Develop Emergency Response Plans
Enterprises should develop emergency response plans to enhance employee safety awareness and strengthen emergency response capabilities.
