Case study on halon replacement in Bosnia and Herzegovina
1. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Beograd, 10-13 May 2011
ECA Network Meeting
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Istanbul April 2010
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2. Case study of halon replacement in
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Azra Rogović-Grubić, MSc, BSc C.E.
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations
National Ozone Unit of Bosnia andHerzegovina
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4. Air-Station providing the air-flow for the recovery unit .
Filtration unit and vacuum pump
Recovery unit for halon recovery, transfer and charging.
CO2 cylinder connected to the recovery unit
6. Scope of UNIDOs equipment provision:
Item Description Quantity
1 Halon Recovery and Recharging Unit > 6kg/Minute 1
2 Measuring / Control Device 1
3 Compressed Air Supply Station > 800 Liter/Minute 1
4 Filtration Unit > 7 kg/minute 1
5 Vacuum Pump > 170 Liter/minute / 12 Micron 1
6 Halon storage cylinder 100 kg, CO2 / 250 bar 3
7 Spare Parts 1
7. The objectives of the workshop were as follows:
• To provide information on the Montreal Protocol and on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer,
including its global requirements mandates for the phase-out and management of halon.
• To provide information on ozone friendly alternatives to halons.
• To describe and demonstrate technological options regarding recovery, recycling, reclamation and
disposal of halon and the availability of these technologies to the region.
• To provide information and further explanation especially:
• International Standard ISO 7201-1 – Fire protection, Fire extinguishing media, Halogenated
hydrocarbons. Part 1: Specification for Halon 1211 and halon 1301
• International Standard ISO 7201-2 – Fire protection, Fire extinguishing media, Halogenated
hydrocarbons. Part 2: Code of practice for safe handling and transfer procedures of halon 1211
and halon 1301.
• Booklet RH-Valves and cylinder, guideline for handling and maintenance.
• To provide detailed information on technological possibilities and functional requirements for
halon/nitrogen separation and treatment to meet the international ISO standard.
• To provide training and information exchange on the decommissioning of halon systems and
associated safety issues, halon system maintenance and recovery and recycling of liquefied and
compressed gases.
• To identify national legislative and regulatory instruments required to ensure the sustainable
phase-out and management of halon in the region.
8. Activities at FINANC d.o.o. site:
•
• Provided Halon Banking equipment was installed,
commissioned and tested at an approximately 100 m²
area, located at FINANC Co. site. FINANC Co. staff
members attended the whole installation and testing
phase and a comprehensive and detailed explanation
and description of all machineries, tools and measuring
devices was carried out at the same time. Upcoming
questions and problems have been processed in an
unruffled atmosphere. Two field-installation cylinders
containing Halon 1301 were used for discharge-valve
description, opening and halon recovery.
9. • Detailed on-site activities description
• Controlling for transport damages of the supplied equipment
• Installation of the equipment, especially the air-supply unit
• Electrical installations (air-supply unit and halon measuring/control
device)
• Function control
• Adjustment of the supplied equipment
• Manufacturing and provision of different connectors and adaptors
• Cylinder inspection (20 pieces of provided halon 1301 cylinder with
approx 35 kg charge each)
• Gas and liquid recovery during equipment set-up (equipment
testing)
• Explanation and demonstration of the halon source identification
device.
• Safety regulations explanations including several repetitions
10. • Demonstration of all different equipment functions to the operators
• Explanation of different types of Halon- discharge valves
• Explanation of halon filtration activities
• Explanation and demonstration of equipment and cylinder
evacuation
• Provision and explanation of comprehensive RH manuals for the
specific equipment, functioning and handling
• Explanations of the recovery and recycling work-flow scheme
(incl. separation)
• Explanations on practices to minimise emission during equipment
operation and handling
11. Findings during equipment commissioning:
During equipment commissioning and handling the following deviations from UNIDOs technical
equipment specifications were registered:
ITB
Case 15002810 Description Proposed activities
item No
Halon Filtration Unit Forwarding of parts to FINANC
1 4 3/8” connection with ball valve and installation
> Not available/installed
Vacuum Pump Forwarding of parts to FINANC
> No oil-mist filter and installation or replacement
2 5
> No 3/8” pump connection assembly pump
> No vacuum hose 3/8”, 180 cm long
3 x Storage Tank 100 Liter / 250 bar Replacing and installation of
> 3 x Riser tube broken off at valve neck 3 x valve CEODEUX/ROTAREX –
3 6
> 3 x Length of riser tubes too short C041
3 x riser
13. • Case 3: Due to the horizontal transport of the three CO2 cylinders
(assumption) already pre-installed steel-risers are broken off (caused by
oscillation) from the two-way valves neck inner connection thread (inside
the vessel). Additional, by removing the valve from the cylinder, it was
identified that the riser tubes are not from sufficient length. The riser must
reach the cylinders bottom to enable entry of liquid and emptying the
cylinder from halon. Filtration of halon and bottle to bottle operation relays
on this device.
• During the commissioning workshop (last day) it was not possible to filtrate
the recovered halon 1301 charge of approx 60 kg because of the before
mentioned problematic. The not functional valve-riser assembly was
identified after charging of halon into the cylinder. There was no practical
possibility to demonstrate the filtration unit in operation with halon.
Recovered halon will remain now in one of the defective new CO2 cylinder
until replacement of valves and risers is secured. Halon 1301 content has to
be recovered in gaseous form (time consuming process). For safety reason
an upside-down operation of the cylinder is not recommended. Repair of
valves (drill out of old risers thread) is not recommended.
14. Halon 1301 detection device with temperature indication installed,
Probe cylinder attached to the field cylinder.
Additional manufactured assembly adapter
Field cylinder secured at wall.
15. • Comments and recommendations
• The selection of the FINANC d.o.o. Company as a location to establish a Halon-Bank
in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina is a very good solution in several aspects.
• FINANC Co. has comprehensive knowledge in handling and treatment of liquefied
and pressure-gases including CO2 in the sector of fire-fighting.
• The location of FINANC d.o.o. Company, the company’s expertise and the workshop
area together with today installations enable a professional and profitable Halon
Banking Management operation for Bosnia & Herzegovina and if applicable aboard.
There is also complementary equipment for cylinder pressure testing available.
• UNIDO delivery of equipment: Delivery of missing pieces of equipment and repair of
defective components should be secured shortly to maintain the comprehensive use
of all halon bank machinery components as indicated and described with manuals
and technical advises by UNIDO (RH).
• FINANC Co. is actually dealing and maintaining equipment and systems based on
halon alternatives.
• FINANC Co. has already significant amounts of Halon type 1301 in store for further
treatment and is in contact with different end-user for additional supply.
• As during the days of commissioning discussed, FINANC Co. should get in contact
with Halon Bank Companies in Belgrade (Serbia) and Varazdin (Croatia) to improve
regional Halon Banking System.
16. • Removal of halon 1301 from Electrical
Power Public Utility Bilding in Sarajevo
33. 20 pieces of halon 1301 cylinder with
approx 35 kg charge each stockpiled in
Halon center
Electrical Power Public Utility didnt yet
replace the system, looking for
alternative technology and financial
funds
FM200 is considered