Post by capney on Oct 17, 2010 14:18:56 GMT
Just a little poem I put together a few years back when I was working for a living.
It was part of a report I put together after a real life incident.
The acid mentioned is 98% sulphuric...really really nasty stuff.
A few words of explanation :
IBC....Intermidiate bulk container... a 1000 Ltr square plastic container housed in a transportable wire cage.
Huby and Acomb... Water treatment plants.
Best read fast I hope you enjoy my little poem.
Twas the day before Christmas
Twas the day before Christmas,
and the season of good cheer.
I was stuck at Huby with acid up to here,,,
Arriving on site at an ungodly hour,
I was briefed by a tired process engineer,
“Been here all night” with acid not any,
but plenty in bund where there shouldn’t be any!
An IBC was spotted as the sun was coming up,
Followed closely by a tanker, looming in the back.
“Soon get this lot shifted” but first I need a loo,
It seems that this guy likes his vindaloo..
If we do this, if we do that, we can get this job wrapped up.
The plan is set, the engines started, all the kit is on.
The pipes are out and all connected.
The suction has began.
This is looking good I think,
nothing has gone wrong.
Soon get the fitter back
and get the acid on.
Sucking noises, snaking pipes,
I stand back and watch.
It is clear these guys are on the ball,
And there is no match.
With acid in the bund all gone,
things are looking good.
The IBC is readied,
the cap it is unscrewed.
Pipes are placed, connections made,
all is at the ready.
Valves are opened, there is no rush,
lets take this part steady.
The IBC is filling,
this is looking good.
From tank to container,
just as it should.
It that a bit of steam I see?
From water on the pipe.
Just a bit of heat about,
This I do not like..
Is that pipe moving, I`m amazed to see.
As before my very eyes I see,
Little jets of black stuff
Squirting up at me.
I keep me distance, I`m not daft,
This stuff is strong you see.
Looks like it`s eating plastic!
Right in front of me.
Valves are turned, buttons pressed.
“ Lets suck it back” he shouts.
Before the pipes completely go,
and there`s acid all about.
Back safely in tanker there`s plenty of room.
On it`s way there mixes with stuff to consume.
Producing heat from the reaction,
That will affect me very soon.
With bubbles and frothing from black liquid around.
Out come the hoses to wash it all down.
We where lucky you see, no great spillage occurred.
Just one or two litres, left in the pipe
Quickly removed and now out of sight.
This tale of woe continues, with more story to tell.
As more pipes are connected to carry this liquid from hell.
This time it works, with pumping all done.
No leakage
No spillage
No melting of pipes,
Four fifty litres of acid in one IBC.
For transport to hell
From wence it belongs
With paperwork signed.
Due care and stuff.
We wave our goodbyes
And wish each other luck.
Whats this I feel? a bit of heat, as I pass.
No,,, wait. Not just a bit, it`s hot to the touch
64 degrees !
we measured the stuff.
Now I`m thinking this is strange.
This acid is heading for boiling range.
Advise is sort and is forthcoming.
Don’t move it
And keep it cool,
If high temps are reached the container may fail
Worst things happen at sea so they say.
But this I find hard to believe.
If this little baby was to breach on me now.
Black acid I would see.
Advise now says ensure cap is loose,
A pressure build will give you a shock,
With acid all over the shop.
I spray and I spray, while attending plant.
Is it cooling? I think not.
Plastic is hot and soft to the touch.
In fact it`s getting bloody hot!
Hours later there is little change,
Floor is flooded, place is wet.
What the heck, I`ve had enough.
Got to visit Acomb yet.
As I sit and ponder whats happened here today
Questions will be asked I say.
Answers are required for several things today
As I sit and ponder whats happened here today
Tis day before Christmas
Right now the plant awaits
Tis season of good cheer they say
Right now the plant awaits
Ramp up, acid on,
all is looking fine
I am off and going home
to enjoy a glass of wine
It was part of a report I put together after a real life incident.
The acid mentioned is 98% sulphuric...really really nasty stuff.
A few words of explanation :
IBC....Intermidiate bulk container... a 1000 Ltr square plastic container housed in a transportable wire cage.
Huby and Acomb... Water treatment plants.
Best read fast I hope you enjoy my little poem.
Twas the day before Christmas
Twas the day before Christmas,
and the season of good cheer.
I was stuck at Huby with acid up to here,,,
Arriving on site at an ungodly hour,
I was briefed by a tired process engineer,
“Been here all night” with acid not any,
but plenty in bund where there shouldn’t be any!
An IBC was spotted as the sun was coming up,
Followed closely by a tanker, looming in the back.
“Soon get this lot shifted” but first I need a loo,
It seems that this guy likes his vindaloo..
If we do this, if we do that, we can get this job wrapped up.
The plan is set, the engines started, all the kit is on.
The pipes are out and all connected.
The suction has began.
This is looking good I think,
nothing has gone wrong.
Soon get the fitter back
and get the acid on.
Sucking noises, snaking pipes,
I stand back and watch.
It is clear these guys are on the ball,
And there is no match.
With acid in the bund all gone,
things are looking good.
The IBC is readied,
the cap it is unscrewed.
Pipes are placed, connections made,
all is at the ready.
Valves are opened, there is no rush,
lets take this part steady.
The IBC is filling,
this is looking good.
From tank to container,
just as it should.
It that a bit of steam I see?
From water on the pipe.
Just a bit of heat about,
This I do not like..
Is that pipe moving, I`m amazed to see.
As before my very eyes I see,
Little jets of black stuff
Squirting up at me.
I keep me distance, I`m not daft,
This stuff is strong you see.
Looks like it`s eating plastic!
Right in front of me.
Valves are turned, buttons pressed.
“ Lets suck it back” he shouts.
Before the pipes completely go,
and there`s acid all about.
Back safely in tanker there`s plenty of room.
On it`s way there mixes with stuff to consume.
Producing heat from the reaction,
That will affect me very soon.
With bubbles and frothing from black liquid around.
Out come the hoses to wash it all down.
We where lucky you see, no great spillage occurred.
Just one or two litres, left in the pipe
Quickly removed and now out of sight.
This tale of woe continues, with more story to tell.
As more pipes are connected to carry this liquid from hell.
This time it works, with pumping all done.
No leakage
No spillage
No melting of pipes,
Four fifty litres of acid in one IBC.
For transport to hell
From wence it belongs
With paperwork signed.
Due care and stuff.
We wave our goodbyes
And wish each other luck.
Whats this I feel? a bit of heat, as I pass.
No,,, wait. Not just a bit, it`s hot to the touch
64 degrees !
we measured the stuff.
Now I`m thinking this is strange.
This acid is heading for boiling range.
Advise is sort and is forthcoming.
Don’t move it
And keep it cool,
If high temps are reached the container may fail
Worst things happen at sea so they say.
But this I find hard to believe.
If this little baby was to breach on me now.
Black acid I would see.
Advise now says ensure cap is loose,
A pressure build will give you a shock,
With acid all over the shop.
I spray and I spray, while attending plant.
Is it cooling? I think not.
Plastic is hot and soft to the touch.
In fact it`s getting bloody hot!
Hours later there is little change,
Floor is flooded, place is wet.
What the heck, I`ve had enough.
Got to visit Acomb yet.
As I sit and ponder whats happened here today
Questions will be asked I say.
Answers are required for several things today
As I sit and ponder whats happened here today
Tis day before Christmas
Right now the plant awaits
Tis season of good cheer they say
Right now the plant awaits
Ramp up, acid on,
all is looking fine
I am off and going home
to enjoy a glass of wine
