CAUTION — The attention of all persons concerned with managing and carrying out cryogenic
spill tests is drawn to the fact that liquid nitrogen testing can be hazardous and that there is a
danger of condensing liquid oxygen (fire/explosion), receiving a 'cold burn' and/or the possibility
that harmful gases (risk of anoxia) can be evolved during the test. Mechanical and operational
hazards can also arise during the construction of the test elements or structures, their testing
and disposal of test residues. An assessment of all potential hazards and risks to health shall
be made and safety precautions identified and provided. Appropriate training and Personal
Protection Equipment shall be given to relevant personnel. The test laboratory is responsible for
conducting an appropriate risk assessment in order to consider the impact of liquid and gaseous
nitrogen exposure to equipment, personnel and the environment.This document describes a method for determining the resistance of a cryogenic spill protection
(CSP) system to a cryogenic jet as a result of a pressurized release which does not result in immersion
conditions. It is applicable where CSP systems are installed on carbon steel and will be in contact with
cryogenic fluids.
A cryogenic jet can be formed upon release from process equipment operating at pressure (e.g. some
liquefaction processes utilize 40 to 60 bar operating pressure). Due to high pressure discharge, the
cryogenic spillage protection can be compromised by the large momentum combined with extreme
cryogenic temperature.
Although the test uses liquid nitrogen as the cryogenic liquid, the test described in this document
is representative of a release of LNG, through a 20 mm orifice or less, at a release pressure of 6 barg
or less, based upon simulated parameters 1 m from the release point. Confidence in this test being
representative is based upon a comparison of the expected dynamic pressure of the simulated release
in comparison with dynamic pressure from releases in accordance with this document.
It is not practical in this test to cover the whole range of cryogenic process conditions found in real
plant conditions; in particular the test does not cover high pressure cryogenic jet releases that might be
found in refrigeration circuits and in LNG streams immediately post-liquefaction.
Liquid nitrogen is used as the cryogenic medium due to the ability to safely handle the material at the
pressures described in this document. The test condition is run at nominally 8 barg pressure.
ISO 20088-1 covers cryogenic release scenarios which can lead to pooling conditions for steel work
protected by cryogenic spill protection as a result of a jet release or low pressure release of LNG or
liquid nitrogen. ISO 20088-2 covers vapour phase exposure conditions as a result of a jet release or low
pressure release of LNG or liquid nitrogen.Cross References:ISO 20088-1ISO 20088-2ISO 630-1EN 10029ISO 8301ISO 16903ISO 845ISO 22899-1Incorporates the following:Corrigendum, October 2019