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An Exposure Prevention Plan for an Anhydrous Ammonia Handling SystemIn July of 1996, the Industrial Hygiene Team of the Environmental Management Office at NASA Lewis Research Center was contacted by the Space Station Program Office to conduct ammonia awareness training for a team of engineers and technicians. The team was tasked with assembling and operating an ammonia handling system for testing of a photovoltaic radiator at the NASA Plum Brook Station Space Power Facility. The ammonia handling system supports a radiator designed to radiate excess heat from a photovoltaic array module used to provide power to the International Space Station. The system would consist of a hazardous materials trailer equipped with an anhydrous ammonia tank, heater, accumulator, chiller, and flow bench. Meetings were held with representatives from the Space Station Program Office, the engineers and Plum Brook safety personnel. Guidance was also provided by representatives from Kennedy Space Center. Determinations were made concerning the locations and types of potential exposures and a plan was developed which included training, personal protective equipment, engineering controls and emergency response. Various organizations including the Plum Brook Safety Committee, the Lewis Environmental Management Office, the Test Readiness Review Board and the Program Office all had requirements that had to be met in order to satisfy themselves that all personnel involved in the operation of the system would be safe. What resulted was a comprehensive plan that provided more than adequate safety measures and succeeded in protecting all personnel from the hazards of the ammonia system. Testing of the photovoltaic radiator was successful and although ammonia leaks were detected and maintenance of the system was ongoing, no one was injured. It was felt that the training and controls in place allowed for a comfort level that did not interfere with the operations.
Document ID
19980235666
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cathy L Padolewski
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Amy Bower
( Plum Brook Reactor Facility Sandusky, OH United States)
GAry Ponikvar
(Medical College of Georgia Augusta, GA United States)
Ken Mellott
(Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio, United States)
Date Acquired
August 18, 2013
Publication Date
August 4, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Proceeding from the 1997 NASA Occupational Health Conference: Achieving Quality in Occupational Health
Subject Category
Engineering (General)
Report/Patent Number
NASA/CP-97-206321
Meeting Information
Meeting: 1997 NASA Occupational Health Conference: Achieving Quality in Occupational Health
Location: Cleveland, OH
Country: US
Start Date: August 4, 1997
End Date: August 7, 1997
Sponsors: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
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