Abstract
Aim: To understand the specifics associated with accidental release of nitrogen compounds through an overall analysis of content in tables prepared by the authors of this paper. The tables are based on data from the Chief Inspector for Environmental Protection (CIEP) covering the period 2006-2013. The data relates to major incidents and events with characteristics of major accidents in Poland, hereinafter referred to as events caused by ammonia and other nitrogen compounds. It is expected that the selection of the most frequent group of incidents, analysis of events, proposed action and deductions will lead to a reduction in the frequency of such events and their consequences.
Introduction: Problems are caused by incidents identified at plants, of all risk categories, as well as with the transportation of hazardous materials. Recently, collective data covering several years for the industry and transport services was developed and published. Analysis contained in this study is an extension of such work and is focused on accidental emissions of ammonia and other nitrogen compounds into the environment, which is considered to be particularly dangerous for a human beings, the environment and technical goods. An analysis of incidents recorded during the last few years provides a much broader insight into the scale of the threat to Poland, than revelations contained in individual annual reports.
Methodology: A review of national and foreign literature on the topic. Access to Internet data from CIEP annual reports and associated records concerning incidents with characteristics of major accidents. Construction of summary tables from accessed data and a descriptive approach applied in the analysis of summaries, took account of several factors, which impact on the frequency of events. Identification of a modal group of incidents involving accidental release of nitrogen compounds. Unfolding of the diagnosed problem concerning ammonia emission in refrigeration systems, is expected to contribute to the development of methods, which will mitigate the frequency of incidents and consequential outcomes.
Conclusions: During the period 2006-2013, the number of incidents involving accidental releases of nitrogen compounds in Poland has decreased from in excess of ten to several annually. However, the study reveals that dangers to human health, environment and material goods remain. The highest frequency of incidents was identified in industrial plants, less during transportation and least in the category of “other places”. Majority of incidents were recorded in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Mazowieckie provinces. It was found that major incidents in the transportation industry, involving release of nitrogen compounds occurred predominantly during the movement of hazardous materials. It was identified that the main compound contributing to serious accidents was ammonia and nitric acid was almost 50% less. Given the risk categories, most accidents occurred in plants, which are beyond the high risk category (ZDR) and elevated risk category (ZZR), mainly associated with the processing of meat, fruit and vegetables, where ammonia is used as a refrigerant. The most frequent cause of incidents was attributed to technical defects, but human errors and “other factors” played a part too. It is necessary to meticulously control automated systems used for the detection of ammonia in refrigeration installations and maintain a high technical culture for employees engaged in the exploitation of equipment making use of ammonia.
Keywords: major incident, ammonia and other nitrogen compounds, refrigeration equipment, CIEP reports and records
Type of article: review article