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PLANT MANAGEMENT


indicate when unacceptably low flash points are reached. If necessary, oil must be replaced or conditioned so that a safe flash point is restored. The formation of explosive atmospheres outside the


thermal fluid system following a leak can be reduced via the fitting of spray-protected safe rings. The importance of legislative adherence cannot be


overstated. Although thermal oil fires and explosions are not common, they do occur with avoidable regularity. During a 10-year period, clients of insurer FM Global experienced 54 fires and explosions caused by thermal oil. In February, 2010, the thermal oil boiler at a wood processing plant in Northern Europe exploded, killing three people.


USE LONG-LASTING THERMAL FLUIDS Employing a thermal fluid with a high flash point combined with chemical stability prolongs the period for which it may be safely used, making it highly cost- efficient. Such fluids enable companies to operate their systems safely and efficiently at high temperatures long- term, reducing the frequency with which the oil needs to be reconditioned or replaced to ensure that vital parameters such as minimum flash points are always maintained. In 2016 Thermal Fluid Solutions (TFS) launched TFS Magma Ultima and its food-grade sister, TFS


Around 3,000 companies in the UK’s process industries operate thermal fluid systems to transfer heat around their plants


Thermaltrans FGS, two semi-synthetic heat transfer fluids with a flash point of over 260°.


RECONDITION RATHER THAN REPLACE THERMAL FLUID Historically, the only available option for firms whose thermal fluids required flash point restoration was total replacement, but some suppliers are now able to recondition customers’ existing oils to maintain the appropriate flash points. TFS provides this service, which offers a quick, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable alternative to total fluid replacement. Its HTfluidfit rigs remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the oil, returning it to a safe condition, extending fluid life by a factor of at least 10, saving customers up to 70% of their thermal fluid costs. Only a continuous risk assessment approach to


thermal fluid system preventative maintenance will ensure safe and efficient operation and ATEX, DSEAR and PUWER compliance at all times. Although the development of bespoke,


comprehensive, continuous improvement plans enable companies to meet legislative standards, the explosion protection documents that form part of TFS’ plans also enable clients to prove their safety credentials to insurers and so reduce their premiums. n


Richard Franklin is managing director of TFS. www.thermalfluidsolutions.com.


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