Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
JULY, 1999
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
Prepared by:
COMMITTEE ON LIGHTNING PROTECTION
NOTE
(ii)
ii
FOREWORD
The Oil Industry in India is nearly 100 years old. Due to
various collaboration agreements a variety of international codes,
standards and practices are in vogue. Standardisation in design
philosophies, operating and maintenance practices at a national
level was hardly in existence. This lack of uniformity coupled with
feedback from some serious accidents that occurred in the recent
past in India and abroad, emphasised the need for the industry to
review the existing state of art in designing, operating and
maintaining oil and gas installations.
With this in view, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
Gas in 1986 constituted a Safety Council assisted by the Oil
Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) staffed from within the industry
in formulating and implementing a series of self-regulatory
measures aimed at removing obsolescence, standardising and
upgrading the existing standards to ensure safer operations.
Accordingly OISD constituted a number of functional committees
comprising of experts nominated from the industry to draw up
standards and guidelines on various subjects.
The present document on Lightning Protection was
prepared by the Functional Committee on Lightning Protection.
This document is based on the accumulated knowledge and
experience of industry members and the various national and
international codes and practices.
It is hoped that provisions of this document if implemented
objectively, may go a long way to improve the safety to reduce
accidents in Oil and Gas Industry. Users are cautioned that no
document can be substitute for the judgment of responsible and
experienced engineer.
Suggestions are invited from the users after it is put into
practice to improve the document further. Suggestions for
amendments, if any, to this standard should be addressed to:
The Co-ordinator
Committee on Lightning Protection
Oil Industry Safety Directorate
2nd Floor, Kailash,
26, Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
NEW DELHI - 110 001.
This document in no way supersedes the statutory
regulations of Chief Controller of Explosives (CCE), Factory
Inspectorate or any other statutory body, which must be followed
as applicable.
(iii)
iii
COMMITTEE
ON
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
LIST OF MEMBERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sl.No.
Name
Organisation
Position in
the Committee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------S/Shri
01.
V.P. Sharma
Leader
02.
A.K. Roy
Member
03.
S.C. Tyagi
Member
04.
H. Prusty
Member
05.
P.Kamalasekharan
Member
06.
R. Raghupathy
Member
07.
P.N. Deka
Member
08.
J.K. Jha
Member
Co-ordinator.
In addition to the above, various other experts in the industry contributed in the preparation,
review, and finalisation of this document.
(iv)
iv
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
CONTENTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SECTION
DESCRIPTION
PAGE NO.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.0
INTRODUCTION
2.0
SCOPE
3.0
DEFINITIONS
4.0
LIGHTNING PHENOMENON
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
12
9.0
16
10.0
REFERENCES
20
11.0
APPENDIX
22
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(v)
1.0
INTRODUCTION
Lightning
is
a
natural
phenomenon considered as Atmospheric
Electricity which develops as a result of
natural build-up of electrical charge
separation in the storm clouds. Lightning
strikes cause enormous loss of life and
property all over the world. Hydrocarbon
Industry
suffers
crippling
damage,
disruption and loss because of this.
2.0
SCOPE
vi) Grounded Terminal:
3.0
DEFINITIONS
I) Air Terminal
a)
ii) Bonding
An electrical connection between
an electrically conductive object and a
component of a lightning protection
system that is intended to significantly
reduce potential differences created by
lightning current.
vi
indicates
mandatory
x) Should
Should indicates a requirement
which is recommendatory in nature.
a) Stepped Leader
- Average Current
0.1 to 1 KA
- Speed of Propagation
2 X 105m/Sec.
-Length of Steps
30 to 60m
apprx.
4.0
LIGHTNING PHENOMENON
Lightning
is
a
natural
phenomenon which is said to be formed
as a result of a natural build up of
electrical charge separation in thunder
clouds. In thunder clouds, normally, icecrystals become positively charged while
water
droplets
become
negatively
charged. In most of the cases, these
Potential difference
between leader &
earth.
b) Return Stroke
-
- Speed of Propagation
30 KA
1/3 Speed
of Light
FIGURE 1
4.3.1
Wave Shape Rise time 2 to 10 micro Sec
Total discharge time to 50% 10-250
micro sec.
- Channel Temperature
30,000o K
(For
more
details
on
Lightning
Phenomenon , reference may be made to
the book on Lightning by R.H. Golde)
The frequency of lightning differs
from region to region. Statistical data for
the number of thunderstorms in a given
place is compiled and the yearly average
is termed as Ceraunic number.
The
higher this number, the larger is probability
of a lightning stroke.
4.3.2
4.3.3
4.3.4
Mechanical
Where a high
current is
discharged along parallel conductor at
close proximity or along a single conductor
with
sharp
bends,
considerable
mechanical forces are produced.
5.0
LIGHTNING
CONCEPTS
PROTECTION
Indirect Strikes
Based on the understanding of the
lightning discharge phenomenon, following
important points need to be noted.
Thermal
Side Flashing
4.1
Electrical
EFFECTS
STROKE
OF
LIGHTNING
c) The first upward leader to intercept the
downward leader completes the path
5.1
The connection to the earth mass
shall have a low impedance to prevent
the rise of potential of surrounding
earth mass and maximize the rate of
fall of potential away from the
connection point. The earth mass with
the earth conductors embedded in the
soil provides safe discharge of
lightning current into the soil.
Conventional
air
(Franklin Rod)
Faraday Cage
Ionizing air terminal
Laser Beam
to
lightning
terminal
LIGHTNING
SYSTEM
PROTECTION
6.1
6.0
6.1.2
Indian
Standard
IS:2309
recommends following factors as a
basis of calculating the overall risk
factor for assessing the requirement
of lightning protection.
a.
b.
Type of Construction.
Contents of the building and
consequential
effects
due
to
lightning stroke.
Degree of isolation.
Type of terrain where the structure is
located.
Height of the Structure.
Lightning prevalence.
Usage of the building.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Depending
upon
the
characteristic features of above factors,
overall risk factor shall be calculated as
per procedure given in IS-2309.
Zone Of Protection
FIGURE 2
system. The path between air termination and earth shall be such that the lightning
current is discharged to earth without passing through non-conducting parts of the building
and also without causing fire, flashover and dangerous potential difference in and around the
structure.
Rolling sphere concept is followed to determine the zone of protection of lightning
conductor.
In this concept, the zone of protection includes the space not intruded by a rolling
sphere having radius equal to the stroking distance when tangent to earth and resting against
a lightning protection air termination, all space between the two points of contact and under
the sphere are in the zone of protection. A zone of protection is also formed when such a
sphere is resting on two or more air terminals and includes the space under the sphere
between those terminals. Fig.3 provides a graphic representation of rolling sphere concept
of zone of protection.
Striking distance of 30 Meters may be considered for the protection of structures
containing flammable materials and striking distance of 60 meters may be considered for
other structures.
Zone of protection for a single mast using 30 meters striking distance is shown in Fig.4
and that for Overhead Ground Wire( Suspended Air Terminals) is shown in Fig 5.
6.3 Lightning Protection of Structures containing flammable materials.
Protection Concept of storage tanks and vessels have been dealt in detail in attached
Appendix-I for guidance in designing lightning protection system.
SINGLE MAST
ZONE OF PROTECTION _DEFINED BY DASHED LINES
Figure 4
FIGURE 5
8.0
PLANT
BUILDING
STRUCTURES
AND
Structures
of
exceptional
vulnerability by reason of explosive or
highly flammable contents need special
consideration
and
every
possible
protection need to be provided even
against the rare occurrence of a lightning
discharge.
Lightning
protection
earthing
system may be bonded to electrical
safety earthing system, inside ground.
The
use
of
rod/pipe/strip
electrodes is permissible. Their choice will
depend upon site conditions, soil resistivity
and economic considerations.
a) Air terminal
b) Down conductor
c) Earth connection
8.1.1 Air Termination System
of
of
in
for
be
Vertical Air
Termination
- 25mm dia.,
1000mm
long
GI
Pipe
Horizontal air
termination
Down conductors
Earth terminations
- 65 mm dia.,
3000mm
long G.I pipe
in Test pit.
25mm X
3mm
GI
Strip
(or)
40mm
X
5mm
GI
Strip
Same as
horizontal air
termination.
A
network
of
horizontal
conductors (air termination system) should
be fixed to the roof of structure as per the
guidelines of IS-2309.
Ventilators
and
other
roof
projections of non-metallic construction
shall be protected by means of air terminal
system and connected to the steel frame
of structure.
major metal forming part of the structure,
including continuous metal reinforcement
and services, should be bonded together
and connected to the lightning protective
system. Such connections should be
made in atleast two places and should,
wherever possible, be equally spaced
around the perimeter of the structure at
intervals not exceeding 15 m. For further
details refer IS-2309.
Metal inside the structure should
be bonded to the lightning protective
system.
Protection of Stacks.
e)
Potential
spark-gaps
between
metallic conductors shall be avoided
at points where flammable vapours
may escape or accumulate.
f)
PROTECTION OF STORAGE
TANKS
9.1
Following fundamental principles
of lightning protection of the structures and
their contents shall be adhered to:-
b)
a)
d)
9.0
c)
Openings
where
flammable
concentrations of vapour or gas can
escape to the atmosphere shall be
bolted or
b)
c)
10.0 REFERENCES:
The following codes, standards and
publications have either been referred to or
used in the preparation of this document and
the same shall be read in conjunction with
this document:
1)
OISD Standards/
Practices such as:
Recommended
2)
OISD- 137
Equipment.
Inspection of Electrical
b)
NFPA 780:
Standard for the
installation of Lightning Protection
Systems.
APPENDIX- I
A1.
The need for the Protection against Lightning for Storage Tanks, Spheres, Bullets
containing flammable materials is self evident.
A properly bonded and earthed metallic storage tank of adequate shell/roof thickness is self
protected against lightning, provided these are tightly sealed to prevent the escape of liquid, vapour,
or gas.
It is to be noted that, pressure vessels such as spheres and bullets are gas tight by the
design of its construction. Hence, properly earthed spheres and bullets are self protected and do
not need additional measures against lightning protection.
Where the probability of flammable atmosphere around the rim of a floating roof tank and
around the vent of a fixed roof tank is relatively high as compared to other locations around the
tankages, augmentation of lightning protection system may be considered. It may however be
borne in mind that the only effective defence against ignition by a direct strike is a tight seal.
Lightning conductor as part of lightning protection system is incapable of discharging a
thunder cloud without a lightning flash. It is thus obvious that in case of a lightning strike, the source
of ignition is present due to temperatures of around 30,000o K in the discharge channel of a return
stroke or the secondary arc in case of a indirect strike
The underlying principle for augmenting lightning protection to hydrocarbon storage tanks,
is therefore based on shifting the point of strike of lightning stroke to a safe area above the vapour
space (or above the classified zones for hazardous atmosphere) so that ignition of vapours
probably present above the roof does not take place.
A1.1
Accordingly the following options are available for the augmentation of the lightning
protection system.
Figure A1
Where I
I_
6n
= Length of lightning protection cable between its grounded point and the point under
consideration.
n = Between 1 to 2.25 depending upon the number of down conductors and their spacing.
A1.2
Protection zone provided by air terminals installed on the tank shall depend upon the tank
dia, height of air terminal and spacing of air terminals around the tank perimeter. A conventional 6
m high air terminal, spaced about 20 m around the periphery protects an area upto 15 to 18 m from
the tank shell. This implies that lightning protection using air terminals installed on the tank walls
can completely protect a storage tank upto 30 M dia whereas the center portion of the roof remains
unprotected for tank diameters more than 30m as shown in Fig.A2
The use of air terminals can be applied to floating roof tanks for reducing the probability of
rim fires due to lightning strikes since the space around the rim has relatively higher possibility of
flammable atmosphere being present due to leakage from improper sealing.
Where the tanks walls are of thickness more than 4.8 mm, separate down conductors, are
not required and tank wall itself can be used as down conductor with the proper connection of air
terminals to the tank shell. Typical details are given in Fig.A3.
Number of 6 m high air terminals (spaced about 20 m around the perimeter) required for
various tank diameters are tabulated below:
TANK DIA
Upto
A1.3
12M
13 - 21M
22 - 32M
33 - 38M
39 - 45M
46 - 51M
52 - 57M
58 - 63M
64 - 71M
72 - 79M
NUMBER OF
AIR TERMINALS
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
For a lightning mast to prevent fires due to lightning, following basic factors need to be
borne in mind:
a) Lightning mast located more than 30m away from the tank irrespective of the height of the mast
does not provide any improvement to the self protected storage tank.
b) Lightning mast should be located close to the tank and the minimum distance is dictated by the
side flash distance and the practical considerations for mast installation.
In view of above, lightning mast is required to be located at around 5 to 6 m from the tank
shell.
Protection zone of a system of lightning masts with mast height equal to 15 m more than
FIGURE A2
FIGURE A3
the tank height and spacing of about 24 m around the tank is almost same as that provided with the
use of lightning conductors installed on the tank shell, the number of lightning masts and the
lightening conductors on shell being the same. Protection zone for a 50 m dia tank using lightning
masts is illustrated in Fig.A4.
It is thus obvious that both a system of lightning masts around the tank or lightning
conductors provided on the tank wall provide similar protection to the tank for preventing fires due to
lightning. Lightning masts are much more expensive as compared to the air terminals on the shell
while the lightning masts would be easier to install as a retrofit in an operating plant in comparison
to the air terminals, since the latter would require welding work on the tank wall.
Lightning mast can be of tubular design or a lattice structure of angle irons. Earthing
system of the lightning mast shall have to be bonded to the earthing system of the associated
storage tank.
A1.4
a)
Liquids that can give off flammable vapours shall be stored in essentially gastight structures.
b) Openings where flammable concentrations of vapour or gas can escape to the atmosphere shall
be closed or otherwise protected against the entrance of flame.
c)
Structures and all appurtenances (e.g. dip-gauge hatches, vent valves) shall be maintained in
good operating conditions.
d)
Flammable air-vapour mixtures shall be prevented to the greatest possible extent from
accumulating outside such structures.
e)
Potential spark-gaps between metallic conductors shall be avoided at points where flammable
vapours may escape or accumulate.
FIGURE A4
10
FIGURE A5
11