Section 355IAC3-2-10. Transfer of liquids; pumps; compressors

   (a) At least one (1) qualified operator experienced in the procedures shall monitor the transfer of ammonia from the time the connections are first made until they are finally disconnected. Such monitoring may be performed by a person:

(1) on site;

(2) from a remote location; or

(3) by electronic means.

Capability shall be provided to halt the transfer in the event of an emergency. This subsection does not apply to field application.

  (b) Containers shall be filled or used only upon authorization of owner.

  (c) Containers shall be gauged and charged only in the open air or in buildings especially provided for that purpose.

  (d) Pumps used for transferring ammonia shall be approved for ammonia service and comply with the following:

(1) Liquid pumps may be of piston, rotary, centrifugal, or regenerative type, designed for a minimum working pressure of three hundred fifty (350) psig.

(2) Positive displacement pumps shall have, installed off the discharge port, a constant differential relief valve discharging through a line of sufficient size to carry the full capacity of the pump at relief valve setting, which setting and installation shall be according to pump manufacturer's recommendation.

(3) On the discharge side of the pump, before the relief valve line, there shall be installed a pressure gauge graduated from zero (0) to four hundred (400) psig or greater if warranted by operating conditions.

(4) Centrifugal or regenerative pumps do not require a bypass relief valve, but the installation shall incorporate a line from the discharge side of the pump to the vapor space of the supplying container and in this line, at accessible level, must be installed a shutoff valve.

(5) Shutoff valves shall be installed within four (4) feet of the inlet and discharge of the pump or within a distance consistent with the manufacturer's recommendation.

  (e) Compressors used for transferring or refrigerating ammonia shall be approved for ammonia service and comply with the following:

(1) Compressors, except those used for refrigeration, shall be designed for at least two hundred fifty (250) psig working pressure. Crankcases of compressors not designed to withstand system pressure shall be protected with a suitable pressure relief valve.

(2) Plant piping shall contain shutoff valves located as close as practical to compressor connections.

(3) A pressure relief valve large enough to discharge the full capacity of the compressor shall be connected to the discharge before any shutoff valve. The discharging pressure of this valve shall not exceed three hundred (300) psig.

(4) Compressors, except for refrigeration units or those mounted on nurse tanks and applicators, shall have suction and discharge pressure gauges graduated from zero (0) to four hundred (400) psig or greater if warranted by operating conditions.

(5) Adequate means shall be provided on the compressor suction to minimize the entry of liquid into the compressor. A drainable liquid trap is one (1) means of providing such protection.

  (f) In addition to the excess flow valves on the liquid and vapor openings of a container (see section 5(f) of this rule), an excess flow valve or backflow check valve shall be installed in the piping of a system where any hose, covered by section 7 of this rule, either is attached or may be attached. Tool bars are exempt from this requirement. Said excess flow valves or backflow check valves shall be installed as follows:

(1) Close to the point where the hose and piping are joined.

(2) On the piping side of any manually operated shutoff valve in the proximity of the hose connection, as opposed to the hose side of the shutoff valve.

(3) With a protective weathercap, steel cap, or steel plug (see section 6(i) of this rule) immediately installed at the end of the piping whenever the hose has been removed from the piping.

  (g) Ammonia vapors shall not be released to the atmosphere during the transfer of liquid ammonia to containers, including portable containers, at permanent storage locations provided, however, that the venting of ammonia vapors at such locations through container fittings, such as fixed liquid level gauges, rotary tube gauges, and similar gauges during the transfer of liquid ammonia to containers, including portable containers, shall not be prohibited. The following are requirements for capturing ammonia vapors:

(1) Suitable means shall be used to capture any ammonia vapors that might escape the confines of the property boundaries for the facility during:

(A) routine bleeding of connections or lines, depressurizing tanks for maintenance; or

(B) purging tanks subsequent to maintenance and prior to refilling. Regarding required purging of tanks, refer to section 10(i) of this rule.

(2) Release of ammonia vapors may be prevented by burning the vapors, by absorption in water, or through use of minimum bleed type hose end valves. Ammonia solutions shall be disposed in accordance with all applicable regulations.

(3) Water tanks with an open top large enough for human access shall not be used as a means to capture ammonia.

  (h) The transfer of anhydrous ammonia from a tank car or transport truck to any other unit for the purpose of converting anhydrous ammonia to aqueous ammonia shall be done only at approved locations (see section 4(a) of this rule) having sufficient permanent storage for the aqueous product to permit continuous and uninterrupted unloading. The converter shall be operated in a manner such that ammonia vapors shall not be released to the atmosphere, consistent with subsection (g)(1).

  (i) Containers shall not be unloaded with gas pressure other than from an ammonia source. Upon discovery or subsequent to servicing, air or other system inerts shall be promptly purged from containers using accepted, documented practices. (State Chemist of the State of Indiana; Agricultural Ammonia PT A, Sec II, Rule 2.10; filed Dec 30, 1965, 2:15 p.m.: Rules and Regs. 1966, p. 9; filed Jan 19, 2001, 2:04 p.m.: 24 IR 1632; readopted filed Jun 20, 2001, 3:22 p.m.: 24 IR 3822; readopted filed Apr 27, 2007, 2:03 p.m.: 20070509-IR-355070039RFA; readopted filed Nov 25, 2013, 3:27 p.m.: 20131225-IR-355130482RFA)