Safe Handling of Asphalt Binders

Spring Asphalt Conference & Equipment Expo, April 2016

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And uses some excerpts from the training course used in New Zealand & Australia

Safe Handling of Asphalt Binders


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Ignition

Chemical Reaction

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Ignition Hazards Safe Handling of Asphalt Binders

Main fuel risk for us: Flammable liquids


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• It’s not the liquid burning

• It’s the vapor produced

• Some liquids more flammable than others

• How do we measure how flammable a liquid is?

• Flash point!



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Flash Point? Flash point is the temperature a volatile liquid needs to be – to just produce enough vapor to ignite



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Below the flash point

temperature the vapor

won’t ignite

Ignition Hazards

Example: Kerosene



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At the flash point the

vapor ignites with a brief

blue flash, but there is no

continuous flame

Ignition Hazards

Example: Kerosene


Blue flash


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If the liquid is heated

above it’s flash point,

then it will sustain a

continuous flame

Ignition Hazards

Example: Kerosene



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Ignition Hazards

So – explain this!

It ignites because it is in

very small droplets which

are heated instantly above

the flash point in the flame The kerosene is cold – below it’s flash point!


The kerosene is cold – below it’s flash point!


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Ignition Hazards

And – explain this!

It ignites because it is

spread out as a very thin

film & the flame can heat

it right through in one spot

- above it’s flash point. The kerosene is cold below it’s flash point!



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Ignition

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Sources of ignition


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Naked flame

Calculators

Mobile phones

Welding etc.

Power tools

Electric switches

Tanker burners

Cameras

Static electricity



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Ignition Hazards

Pouring a low-viscosity fluid such as kerosene can generate static electricity

The charge can build up enough to generate sparks

The spark energy can be sufficient to ignite a flammable vapor



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Ignition Hazards

Cooking oil catching fire in frypan.

-commonly called

Major risk for kerosene & diesel

Spraying or spilling kerosene or diesel on hot surfaces can ignite the vapor

Totally unrelated to flash point!



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Ignition Hazards

Result of using kero to clean the sprayer

while burner tubes still hot!

Kero auto-ignited when it contacted the hot surface!



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• Pan ~550oF (not red-hot)

• Gasoline doesn’t ignite

• Kerosene does ignite!

• Diesel would ignite too!

Flammable Liquids - Auto-Ignition

Kero AIT can be 410OF! Diesel AIT can be 445OF!

(both lower than gasoline!)



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Water reacts very violently with hot asphalt – causing:

• vigorous foaming and/or • steam explosions

Safe Handling of Asphalt Binders Water Hazard


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Flammable Liquids - Explosions Explosion Hazards


Why does kero or diesel vapor sometimes explode rather than just burn?

Why are some explosions very big yet most are quite small?

It depends on the relative concentrations of the vapor mixture.

So let’s talk about ‘Explosive Limits’.


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Flammable Liquids - Explosions

Kerosene vapor (like diesel) will only explode if it’s concentration in air is between quite narrow

explosive limits

Watch the demonstration!

Explosion Hazards Safe Handling of Asphalt Binders


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Flammable Liquids Explosive Limits

% Vapor in Air

100%

FUEL

VAPOR

100% AIR

0.6% - 6.0% Example: Kerosene

Explosive energy curve



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1. Tanker discharges 5500gal of 350OF asphalt to HMA tanks 2. Driver then adds 2gal of kero to hot empty tank 3. Circulates through internal pump and departs 4. 3 miles down the road, explosion inside tanker 5. Manhole lid blown open – no other damage

a) 2 gal of kero in a hot empty 5500gal tank explosive mix!

a) Don’t use steel dipsticks!



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1. Trial batch of straight-run asphalt pumped in from tanker 2. Tanker also contained kero flushings 3. Transferred to reaction tank 4. Internal hot oil supply pipe not covered with asphalt 5. Explosive air/kero mix - auto-ignited 6. Side blown out, 2 manholes went flying 7. No-one hurt

Lesson: Very small amounts of kero or diesel can produce an explosive air/fuel mix that can auto-ignite on contact with a hot surface!

Another example: Asphalt-Rubber Plant:



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Safe Handling of Petroleum Asphalt

Asphalt Burns All field personnel need to understand the following:

• Expect the unexpected

• Appropriate PPE

• Correct procedures

• How serious it can be

• Immediate first aid

• How to “educate”

treating medics

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Safe Handling of Petroleum Asphalt Examples Asphalt Burns

Hose burst under pressure

Opening pressurised filter

Fell onto HMA


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The preceding pictures dramatically show:

• Very serious nature of these burns

• Why we should expect the unexpected

• What happens when proper PPE is not worn and the proper procedures are not followed

• Why good training & diligent management is essential!

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Asphalt Burns - Examples

Asphalt Burns


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Personal Protective Equipment

Demonstration Asphalt Burns

• Wrap-around face-shield with chin

protection

• Heat-resistant hood with eye opening only

(Note: ‘skirt’ should be tucked-in)

• Long gloves with tight gauntlets

• Long pants, Long sleeves,

• Safety boots, (pants outside)


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Immediate First Aid Asphalt Burns

Everyone should have a copy

Attach a copy to victim’s clothing

It has important 1st aid information

Burns Card

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Asphalt Burns

ON-SCENE FIRST AID FOR

ASPHALT BURNS

• Immediately address any Airway,

Breathing or Circulation concerns

and START COOLING

• Do NOT remove asphalt from skin

• Leave burn uncovered

• Quickly place affected area under

running/flowing water

• Notify others

• Call for help #_____________ Available from: The Asphalt Institute;

Call: 859-288-4960;

or at www.asphaltinstitute.org

Everyone must learn what’s on it

As well as the 1st aid information for you

It has information for Medics who may never have seen an asphalt burn before

Asphalt Institute Burns Poster

Asphalt Institute

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Asphalt Burns

• Immediately address any Airway, Breathing or Circulation concerns

and START COOLING with water

• Do NOT try to remove asphalt from skin

• Quickly place affected area under running/flowing water (ice or cold

packs may be used in the event water is unavailable)

• Leave asphalt burn area uncovered

• Notify others

• Call for help! #_____________

Skin (Do NOT Delay)

• Immediately place the affected skin under cold running

water for at least 20 minutes

• Prolonged flushing/cooling is necessary

Eyes (Do NOT Delay)

• Lay the person on their back

• Remove contact lenses (medical personnel only)

• Flush with running/flowing water for at least 20 minutes

by allowing the water to flow over the bridge of the nose

to the eyes

After cooling, urgent medical attention is required for burns to the face, eyes, hands, feet,

genitalia and for circumferential or large burn areas After cooling, urgent medical attention is required for burns to the face, eyes, hands, feet,

genitalia and for circumferential or large burn areas


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Safe Handling of Petroleum Asphalt Asphalt Burns

At first inspection – no clear evidence of burning!

At The Hospital

See next slide!


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At The Hospital

How to prevent asphalt being removed incorrectly?

Skin removed by peeling clothing off

(Compare with right-hand picture previous slide)


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Because the burning is not always evident, we

need a strategy to get the correct information

“through” to the doctor! – especially about not

removing the asphalt until a burn specialist has

been consulted for advice!

At The Hospital


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Australasian Burns Card Asphalt Burns

For original copy and permission to use,

contact the Australian Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA)

info@ aapa.asn.au www .aapa.asn.au

(FRONT) (BACK)


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Attach card to victim’s clothing:

+ It has 1st aid information + It has advice for Medics on the reverse side

Inform paramedic of importance of card & ask them to make a call to hospital to give advance warning

Supervisor must accompany to hospital to ensure no incorrect treatment or procedures

Manager must get involved as early as possible!

Australasian Burns Card


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Endorsed by:

The Australian & New Zealand Burns Association

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Australasian Burns Card Asphalt Burns

Advice to Medical Professionals Bitumen burns require special medical treatment.

Immediately consult with burns specialist.

www.anzba.org.au


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When treatment is correct………


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Thank you

[email protected]

Engineering

Safe Handling of Asphalt Binders