Print this page HVAC Design for Oil & Gas Facilities
A. Bhatia, B.E.
Course Outline
Oil & Gas (O & G) facilities are fraught with numerous challenges related to health, safety, logistics, economics, quality assurance and reliability. HVAC design for such facilities needs special considerations not only to minimize the potential loss to capital investment due to fire, explosion and corrosion but also to isolate the personnel from life-threatening environment.
This 4-hour course discusses the complexities of HVAC design for offshore oil and gas installations and how to go about carrying out the selection of a proper system and related equipment.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
At the conclusion of this course, the reader will:
- Be aware of the critical design issues related to oil & gas facilities;
- Understand how an offshore installation different from an onshore installation;
- Learn the relevant codes and standards as applicable to the HVAC design;
- Understand the concept of area classification for hazardous locations;
- Understand the importance of pressure differential between hazardous and non-hazardous areas;
- Understand the critical system parameters that must be controlled and monitored;
- Understand the importance of dilution ventilation to mitigate the impacts of accidental releases of flammable and toxic gases;
- Understand the concepts of air cleaning and filtration requirements;
- Understand the requirements of blast proof intake and exhaust valves in line with structural requirements;
- Understand the specifications of HVAC equipment and machinery suitable for saline corrosive atmosphere;
- Understand the specifications of electrical equipment for oil & gas installations; and
- Understand the importance of commissioning and documentation.
Intended Audience
This course is aimed at mechanical engineers, process engineers, HVAC engineers, process/production personnel, operation and maintenance engineers, environmentalists, H & S professionals, safety engineers, industrial hygienists and others responsible for design, purchase or upkeep of oil and gas installations.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendee of this course will get to know about the design, construction, installation, or modification requirements of HVAC systems for oil and gas facilities and related industries such as chemical, petrochemical, agro-chemical, bio-technology and specialty chemical industry.
Course Introduction
The main objectives of HVAC systems in O & G facilities include:
- Maintain acceptable working and living environment for personnel and non - destructive conditions for equipment.
- Prevent ingress of potentially explosive / toxic gas-air mixtures into non-hazardous areas, electrical switch rooms and equipment rooms.
- Prevent formation of any combustible mixture and maintain an atmosphere where the gas/air mixture is kept below LEL during normal operation.
- Provide dilution ventilation for all enclosed hazardous areas in order to reduce the risk from build-up of potentially explosive / toxic gases within these spaces.
- Prevent smoke spreading and keep enclosed escape ways free of smoke in case of fire.
The course discusses the above criteria in detail.
Course
Content
This course is in the following PDF document:
HVAC Design for Oil & Gas Facilities
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Course Summary
Oil and gas facilities experience extreme environments. This course illustrates some of the key features that distinguish an offshore installation from a standard installation onshore.
The prime and foremost consideration for any offshore installation is “safety”, which requires adequacy of HVAC system to provide dilution, dispersion and removal of potentially toxic concentrations of flammable gaseous mixtures. HVAC plant provides all above in addition to maintaining pressure differential between hazardous and non-hazardous areas.
Relevant codes and standards must be following in detail, while undertaking an offshore installation. Every action of design, installation, operation and maintenance of HVAC services in oil & gas facilities is auditable and must be documented.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
