H2S AWARNESS

Instructor:
Andy Hatchett

Introduction to Course
Contents

What is H2S
Where do we find this gas
Properties of H2S
How we measure
Exposure limits of H2S
Toxicity levels
Factors affecting exposure
Acute & Chronic affects of exposure
How we detect H2S
Respiratory equipment
Actions upon a release of H2S/ Toxic gas alarm

What is H2S
H2S is the single biggest killer in the oil & gas industry world wide!

It is formed by the decomposition of organic

matter by bacteria. It is found in oil and gas,
sewers and is produced in many industrial and
biological processes
It is also known by various slang terms, Stink,
Sour, Rotten Wells, or Damp Gas
Also Hydro Sulfuric Acid, and Sulfur Hydride

Where do we find H2S

Industrial Sources

Petroleum oil refining

Gas processing plants
Leather tanning
Iron & steel mills
Rayon industry
Sewage plants
Fertilizer plants
Some construction work
Medicines

Natural Sources

Swamps
Polluted water
Volcanic gases
Volcanic springs
Sulphur springs
Sulphur deposits
Rotten compost
The human body

Properties of H2S

Highly toxic
Colourless
Heavier than air
Readily dispersed by wind
Can smell of rotten eggs at low concentrations
Flammable and will auto ignite
Burns with a blue flame 20% H2S left in atmosphere (produces SO2 )

Is corrosive and will cause metal embritlement (reacts with high carbon
steel causing iron sulphide (FeS) scale witch is highly combustible
(Pyrophoric) in the right circumstances
Is soluble in water

Measuring toxic gases

Toxic gases are measured in parts per million
(ppm) of atmosphere
Percentages (%) are also used to measure
gases
Be aware 1% = 10,000ppm/ 0.5% = 5000ppm
These small measurements can be best
visualised by 1 inch in ~15.5 miles.

Workplace Exposure Limits

5 ppm

TWA

(Time Weighted Average)

This is the concentration
deemed acceptable to avoid
discomfort when exposed for
8 hours per day, in a 24 hour
reference period, as set out
by the HSE, EH40 W.E.L.
2005

10 ppm STEL
(Short Term Exposure Limit)
This is the concentration
deemed acceptable to avoid
discomfort when exposed for
15 mins with a break of 1
hour, 4 times per day, in a 24
hour reference period, as set
out by the HSE, EH40 W.E.L.
2005

Toxicity levels in ppm

ppm levels H2S
<1
<5
~10
~27
~100
200-300
500-700
700-1000
1000-Plus

Potential consequences

Minimal perceptible odour

Easily detectable moderate odour
Beginning of eye irritation
Strong unpleasant odour
Coughing, loss of sense of smell after 2-5 minutes
Conjunctivitis, respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour
Loss of consciousness, loss of respiration and death
Rapid unconsciousness, loss of respiration and death
Unconscious immediately, death within a few minutes

Factors affecting exposure

Duration

(exposure time in that environment)

Frequency
Intensity

(how often in that environment)

Susceptibility

(down to the individual, body mass,

diet, state of fitness etc)

(how strong it is in ppm)

Acute & Chronic Affects of

Exposure
CHRONIC

ACUTE

Eye irritation
Headaches
Nausea
Irritation respiratory tract
Dizziness
Confusion
Sneezing
Diarrhoea
Olfactory fatigue (loss of sense of
smell)
Excitement
Pulmonary oedema (secondary
drowning)
Photophobia (an aversion to bright
light leading to migraine etc)
Respiratory arrest
Cardiac arrest

Eye irritation
Headaches
Nausea
Irritation respiratory tract
Sleep problems
Anorexia (H2S acts as an appetite
suppressant)
Pulmonary oedema
Corneal blistering
Corneal pitting
Brain damage

GAS DETECTION

Smell rotten eggs at low concentrations

Colorimetric tubes
Electronic fixed
Electronic portable
Lab based wet chemistry (Tutweiller)
Lab based gas chromatography

WARNING
YOU CANNOT RELY ON YOUR
SENSE OF SMELL TO DETECT
H2 S
THIS IS DUE TO THE OLFACTORY
FATIGUE WHICH WILL BE INSTANT AT
HIGH CONCENTRATIONS

GAS DETECTION

Gastech draw pump

Portable
atmospheric
sampling
Measures
concentration in
ppm or %
+/- 25%
accurate

Drager bellows pump

GAS DETECTION
PERSONAL
MONITOR

Portable
Single gas detection
Up to 100ppm
+/- 5% accurate

GAS DETECTION
BW Quad Gas

MULTIGAS
Portable
Measures several
gases real time display
screen ambient atmosphere

+/- 5% accurate

BW Micro Clip

Different types of B.A.

ELSA-10-B
for Escape use
only

Sabre FLITE combined

Work/escape

Sabre CONTOUR
full duration
45 minute set

Containerised Air Breathing

Cascade System
1. Compressor/
Air intake

3. Reducing
Panel

4. Feed to
work site

2. Storage/
Backup Supply

5. Beer &
other Goodies!

Respiratory Equipment
Problems associated with using B.A.
Mask Fit (It is the Employers responsibility, to have their
employees fit tested, A.C.O.P. and P.P.E. directive 282-28)
Beards, spectacles, face shape
Psychological/ Attitude
Asthma induced by the dry air from the cylinders, breathing air
must conform to EN12021
Fatigue through the weight and ergonomics of the BA

Respiratory Protection
ELSA
Emergency
Life
Support
Apparatus
for escape use only

10 or 15min egress air

supply cylinder

Respiratory Protection
FLITE
SAR/EEA
10,13, or 15 Min
escape duration
Connects to airline
system
Positive Pressure

Respiratory Protection
CONTOUR
Full Duration SCBA
must supply 30mins+
Positive Pressure
CEN connection to
airline system

Actions upon a release of

H2S
or a toxic gas alarm

Hold your breath (try not to inhale)

Don BA
Move across & up wind
Raise the alarm (if you have discovered the
escape)
Report to muster (up wind and as high as possible)
Await further instructions via PA

Protection from H2S

Personnel training programs

Provision of adequate safety equipment
Personal drills
Contingency plans and emergency procedures that
are drawing up and relayed to the work force
through toolbox talks, prior the task being
undertaken
Adherence to good safe working practices

The End
Thanks for your time!