Breakaway event – Great Plains NH3 Safety User Manual
Page 37
Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.
Anhydrous Application
33
2013-07-15
407-551M
Breakaway Event
Initially treat a breakaway coupler separation event as
you would any other field emergency. Perform the steps
at “Ammonia Emergency Action” on page 7. Only then
consider performing the steps on this page.
Although the breakaway coupler is designed to separate,
such breakaways are not routine events.
Upon a breakaway, what to do about the breakaway
coupler itself is the last consideration. Priorities are:
1.
Protect: Perform basic field emergency action, which
may included summoning emergency responders if
a major release is in progress, or the nurse tank is
tipped over, or is otherwise at risk of a major release.
2.
Assess: If the nurse tank appears intact, sound and
stable, determine the cause of the breakaway. It is
unlikely to be something simple that will allow a
timely re-coupling and resumption of application.
If, and only if, the nurse tank is safe to approach, take the
next steps to discharge both sides of the breakaway.
Discharge Implement:
3.
Perform the steps at “Stopping Application” on
page 29. Remain up wind and clear of nurse tank
while doing this.
4.
With the orifice pointing away from you, and down-
wind, slowly open the coupler bleed
valve
(page 42) at the implement half of the
breakaway coupler. If you closed the emergency
shutoff after breakaway, each bleed will release
liquid NH
3
, under pressure, most likely as a spray.
Discharge Nurse Tank Hose:
5.
Position the tractor and implement near the nurse
tank. Stop up-wind of the tank, but slightly cross-
wind of the tank (so that you are not exposed to
residual implement fumes while working around the
tank). Face the tractor into the wind.
6.
From up-wind, approach the nurse tank.
7.
Close the nurse tank withdrawal valve
(page 16).
8.
From up-wind, approach the nurse tank hose outlet
end
(page 11).
9.
Locate a bleed valve
tank half of a coupler. Be careful not to touch or
loosen the Acme coupler
(page 11). Bleed only
one hose at a time.
10. Position the outlet such that the bleed valve orifice
points both away from you AND points down-wind
AND can be opened and left pointing that way
unattended. If this is not possible, get expert help.
Upon Event: Probable Chemical Hazard:
A 60 cc liquid release to air has already occurred. Assume a
major release is also in progress or imminent. Act accordingly.
Request assistance from trained experts rather than risk
blindness, disfiguring/disabling injury or death.
A breakaway event is most likely due to a major equipment
failure (such as nurse tank running gear fracture), or a gross
operator error (such as towing/turning too fast, or departing
level ground). These cases can result in an immediate serious
spill, or result in a damaged tank at risk of leak at any time.
Even in the case of a basic operator error, such as movement
with only the nurse tank hose connected, both implement
systems and nurse tank hose at breakaway are fully charged
with liquid NH
3
, right up to the checks in the breakaway
halves. The nurse tank side is under full tank pressurization.
The implement hose may be under pressure.
This was an unplanned event. Wind direction may not be
favorable for discharging and re-coupling. If the wind is light
or calm, do not attempt to bleed the breakaway coupler
halves. Your field PPE
a
is not sufficient for the releases
necessary.
a. PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
A16
A66
A58
A13
A58