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Drop testing of the NCS 45
(2007)
The project SIGRID investigates and assesses possibilities to enhance the safety and security of
dangerous goods transports through the use of the latest RFID-technology. This technology can be used to
greatly enhance the transparency of the supply chain and aid logistics companies in complying with regulations.
In the context of SIGRID, customized RFID-Sensor-Tags have been developed that monitor dangerous
goods during transport and help to prevent hazards by allowing timely countermeasures. In the case of a dangerous
goods accident, the available information about the type, amount and condition of the dangerous goods
can be used to accurately inform the relief forces. Unavailable or inaccurate information represents a significant
problem for the relief forces. This often leads to a delay in the rescue operation, because relief forces
must be aware of the substances involved to protect themselves effectively against them. SIGRID aims to
close this information gap. To verify the practicability of the underlying concepts, a demonstrator will be
build and tests of realistic scenarios will be conducted.
Safety risks may ensue when the chemicals contained in polyethylene packagingsa age and damage them. To prevent subsequent accidents, the European Dangerous Goods Regulations have laid down requirements for testing the chemical compatibility of liquid dangerous goods transported in polyethylene packagings. The test procedures include 6 months in which the chemical is prestored in the packaging. After this time, the respective design-type tests are performed. Alternative methods with so-called standard liquids, simulating the different types of damaging effects, are also possible. If a packaging has successfully passed the design type tests with a standard liquid, other dangerous goods may also be transported in this packaging, as long as it is demonstrated that they have a less damaging effect than the standard liquid. However, in this area there is only little information and research available.
A new potentially effective and time-saving method for comparing the stress crack damaging influence of liquids with standard liquids was proposed by a major German chemical company.
The validation of this method, which was carried out on two polyethylene materials, showed the general applicability of the method. Two kinds of wetting solutions were applied to simulate cracking under stress.
The influence of prestorage, test temperatures, wetting agents and material was examined. FEM calculations were carried out to ascertain the influence of the sample shape.
The objective of this work was to determine the maximum gauge pressure in the vapour phase above the liquid in different design types of dangerous goods packagings under normal conditions of carriage. The design types investigated were steel and plastic packagings with a volume of approximately 6 l.
Two different methods were applied. In method 1, the pressure inside the packaging filled with a certain filling substance (dichloromethane) was directly measured under simulated conditions of carriage (degree of filling: 90%; filling temperature: 15°C; temperature during storage: 31°C). The maximum measured gauge pressures were between 89 mbar for a light plastic jerrican and 336 mbar for a steel drum.
In method 2, the gauge pressure was calculated. The consideration of a rigid packaging combined with the assumption of a vapour pressure of zero during filling and sealing can serve as a worst case scenario. The calculated gauge pressure is approximately 1061 mbar. This procedure leads to the highest safety factor and does not require any experimental investigations.
For a more realistic approximation of the gauge pressure of a non-rigid packaging, a packaging-specific function of relative expansion can be used, which is determined by a hydraulic pressure test. The calculated values ranged from 105 to 347 mbar. Method 2 provides conservative results. No hazardous filling substance is needed, and it allows a prediction of gauge pressure for other temperatures, substances and filling degrees. Therefore, this method could serve as alternative to UN Model Regulations 6.1.5.5.4 (a).
The combination of RFID tags and energy efficient sensors offers promising potential for identification, diagnosis, and monitoring applications - particularly when it comes to objacts, which require continuous observation and which are difficult to access with conventional tools. This paper presents two examples as an outlook for RFID sensor systems in embedded structures and in mobile applications.
A guided drop test was performed to achieve a defined and reproducible impact orientation of jerrycans. The drop heights where 50% of the jerrycans experienced a failure from a crack where fluid can escape (50% failure drop height) were compared among jerrycans made of four different materials, in their original state and preconditioned with standard liquids. To analyse the impact of only elevated temperatures, the packages were preconditioned for 21?days at 40°C without the use of chemicals.
The 50% failure drop height was compared by using Young's modulus; the notched impact strength (NIS) of specimen cut from plates which were manufactured by compression moulding and the notched tensile impact strength of specimen cut-outs of the jerrycans' side walls. The NIS depends highly on the thermal preconditioning of the plates being manufactured by compression moulding. A trend can be seen that a higher Young's modulus, a higher NIS and a higher notched tensile impact strength result in a higher 50% failure drop height, but the values are spread. The influence of the wall thickness cannot be neglected.
The change of the 50% failure drop height in regard to the preconditioning at 40°C with and without nitric acid was compared in terms of their resistance to molecular degradation, density and degree of crystallinity. The conditioning at elevated temperature causes post-crystallization. It was shown that the resistance to molecular degradation determined on pressed plates correlates with the change of the 50% failure drop height after pre-storage with nitric acid.
A new irradiation device for the exposure of plastic products is presented. Developed in the BAM division 3.1 "Dangerous Goods Packaging" it can be used for artificial UV irradiation of plastic Containers filled with hazardous liquids.
Present regulations and tests only investigate the exposure effects of UV and of media separately, but as the damaging effect is expected to be synergistic for at least some media, a combined test was looked for.
A chamber of 60 cm by 60 cm base area and 1 m height gives space for up to 40 cm wide objects. Two fluorescent UV lamp arrays are arranged on opposite walls, separated from the chamber by quartz glass panes. By continuously rotating the exposure object by means of a rotary disc that the object is placed on, spatial irradiation homogeneity is achieved over the exposure duration. The spectral irradiance of the chosen UVA 340 nm lamps gives the best match of global solar radiation in the short wavelength ränge. The close arrangement of the UVA lamps (15 each side) results in 60 W m'2 UV irradiance.
Constant temperature is adjusted to typically 40 °C by the control of the fan speed. This temperature is chosen, as it is the required temperature for three week storage of filled polyethylene Containers, for proving Chemical compatibility in the field of dangerous goods. To ensure homogeneity, an interiorfan provides for air circulation.
The dangerous goods regulations UN/ADR 6.1.5.5.4 (a) prescribe a maximum filling degree for determining the test pressure for the hydraulic pressure test by real measurements. The assumption is that the maximum filling degree of the liquid phase is the worst case concerning the gauge pressure. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the filling degree on the gauge pressure. Gauge pressure measurements and calculations for different substances were carried out at different filling degrees for a steel drum and a steel jerrican (heating up from 15°C to 55°C). The assumption that the maximum filling degree is the most critical is only valid for relatively rigid packagings: If the relative expansion of the packaging is smaller than the volume increase of the liquid phase due to heating up, the gauge pressure increases with increasing filling degree. But the opposite is true for relatively flexible packagings: If the relative expansion of the packaging exceeds the relative volume expansion of the liquid, the gauge pressure increases for decreasing filling degrees. The current regulations for the hydraulic test pressure determination at a maximum filing degree do not lead to the intended safety level. For a lower level than the maximum filling degree, the prescribed safety factor of 1.5 is not respected. Under transport conditions, it is possible that the inner gauge pressure exceeds the test pressure. This can result in a failure of the packaging. There is a need to reconsider the regulations.
Sift-proofness is a requirement for different types of dangerous goods packagings for solid substances according to the international Dangerous Goods Regulations. In these regulations, a sift-proof packaging is defined as a packaging that is completely impermeable to dry contents. This means indirectly that absolutely no mass transport of solid substances is allowed. Moreover, this requirement applies both to the original filling substance and to fine solid material generated during transport. Further specifications, test conditions or tolerable limit values are not given. This is in contrast to physical principles and the usual practice in other fields of technology in which sift-proofness is relevant. This paper shows the necessary steps for how the requirements for sift-proofness of dangerous goods packagings can be defined more precisely. Physical basics of the term ‘sift-proofness’ are explained. A qualitative as well as a quantitative approach is possible. In any case, it is essential to carry out appropriate vibration tests to assess the siftproofness. There is a need for systematical investigations of the sift-proofness of dangerous goods packagings.
Unpigmented HDPE jerrycans filled with nitric acid (55%) and water respectively had been exposed to outdoor conditions for one Berlin summer season. As both liquids underwent equal temperature progression, exposure effects of UV radiation and nitric acid as well as of their combination can be separated and compared. On the basis of various property changes after these exposures, synergistic action is evaluated and compared to a damaged Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) from a transport accident.
It is found that carbonyl formation goes along with lightness increase in color measurement due to microcracking and with a worsening in mechanical behavior, all of them showing synergistic effects of UV and nitric acid exposure. In contrast, embedding nitrogen compounds goes along with yellowing of the material but cannot be correlated to oxidation.
The reason for intensified damaging is the decomposition of the 55-percent nitric acid and formation of nitrogen oxides even at ambient temperatures, caused by UV radiation. Thus, damaging effects become similar to those caused by fuming nitric acid exposure at temperatures above 60 °C, with the result of strong oxidative degradation of the polyethylene.
In contrast, exclusive exposure to the 55-percent nitric acid at 40 °C does not cause any failure.
It can therefore be assumed that also the damaged IBC had been exposed to both UV radiation and nitric acid, probably outdoors.
The objective of this experiment was to verify that in regards to the leakproofness bubble test for packagings of dangerous goods, a reduction of the air overpressure from 0.2 to 0.1 bar can be compensated for by reducing the water surface tension to a value of approximately 33.2 mN/m by adding a wetting agent. It was experimentally proven that this method will yield the same leak diameters. This is important to avoid irreversible deformations during the leaktesting of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) while using a test overpressure of 0.2 bar.
Bubble test experiments were carried out on artificial borehole-shaped leaks manufactured of two different materials high density polyethylene (HDPE) and stainless steel by ultrashort pulse laser technology and with two different immersion test liquids (deionized water and a 0.1% Lutensol FSA fabric softener active 10 solution). The characteristic diameters of the boreholes investigated were from 11.5 to 30.3 µm in length.
The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how the position of a package affects the results in guided and unguided compression tests. Digital image correlation (DIC) shows how localized stresses occur. The positions of the jerricans were moved 1 cm in every direction from the center. The different positions showed how guided and unguided compression applied different loads to thejerrican.
Furthermore, the guided and unguided compressions were compared directly using DIC to show how areas of stress concentrations formed and the localized stress changed. In general, when testing the jerricans with unguided compression, the swivel platen tilted backwards because the rear side of the jerrican was not as stiff as the front side with the lid. Guided and unguided compression tests will give different results because the stress concentrations are different. The position of the jerrican in the stacking test has drastic affects on the outcome of the fest. The stresses between the jerrican bottom and stacking plate were analyzed with a sensor mat and compared the guided and unguided loads.
Guided and unguided compression tests were performed on jerricans and small and large corrugated fiberboard boxes. The different methods produced different results affecting whether the test was passed
or failed.
In practice, checks on dangerous goods transports often detect leaks of powdered dangerous goods from valved bags. In this work, the influence factors of a sudden release of powdery substances from the valves of valved bags were investigated.
Drop tests were performed on paper bags of UN design type 5M2 with internal sleeve valve using 2 different powdery substances (Esplas H130 and zinc oxide “Rotsiegel”).
The internal sleeve valves of all test samples were not sift‐proof with respect to both filling substances. For almost all test samples, the Esplas H130 powder already leaked out of pasted joints during manual filling. This is a contradiction to the requirement in UN 6.1.4.18.1, according to which closures and joints of paper bags 5M2 should be sift‐proof.
In the drop tests, longer valve lengths had a greater sealing effect for both filling substances (for filling degrees of at least 95% and for test samples which had already been mechanically loaded). As an extreme example, at the drop height of 1.20 m and a filling degree of 100%, the released amount of zinc oxide powder from a 10‐cm‐long valve was about 16 times higher than from a valve length of 12.5 cm.
The valve length is therefore a safety‐relevant parameter and should be specified by the manufacturer.
To ensure that only filling goods with similar physical properties in comparison with the test substance are used for valved bags, the user must be informed of the particle size of the test substance.
This work focuses on the question if the bubble test prescribed in the Dangerous Goods Regulations has sufficient sensitivity to detect leakage rates, which could result in the formation of explosive atmospheres during transport. The sensitivity of the bubble test is not directly comparable with other leak testing methods because of its different flow conditions. Therefore, a normalized minimum detectable leakage rate under Helium test conditions is calculated for the bubble test. This sensitivity of the bubble test under reference conditions is compared with limit leakage rates for a worst‐case transport scenario. The sensitivity of the bubble test is not sufficient to prove the limit leakage rates for 6‐L packagings. The formation of explosive vapour‐air‐mixtures cannot be excluded. Therefore, more sensitive leak testing methods should be considered for smaller packaging design types.
The key point within the scope of this research project was to find out whether there was a risk of creating an explosive atmosphere by permeation of flammable liquid compounds during transport of dangerous goods in freight containers under normal conditions of carriage. Therefore, all aspects that had an influence on the formation of such an atmosphere had to be considered. The most important influencing factors were permeation, air change in the freight container and ambient temperature. The first step was to investigate the permeation with different packaging materials, charge and temperatures. Furthermore, the air change rates of different freight containers were measured. A few climate tests with containers on ships, e.g. to Singapore, were performed to assess normal conditions of carriage. Another important point was measuring the solvent (toluene) concentration in the gas phase in a freight container loaded with plastic intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) filled with toluene. To confirm that the measured values were in the right range, the toluene concentration in the gas phase in a container was calculated with different packaging materials, air change rates and temperatures.
The results of the measurements and calculations have shown that safety layers in the packaging wall, e.g. the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and polyamide, can reduce the rate of permeation by more than a decimal power, but the lower explosive limit of toluene is easily reached within a few hours at 40°C charge temperature if there is no barrier.
Jerrycans made from three different types of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were exposed outdoors, for one Berlin summer season. They were filled with a 55 percent nitric acid solution (HN03), pure water, or air, and half of them were protected from sunlight by an UV absorbing canvas. Thus, the separate effects of UV radiation and nitric acid could be compared to the combined impact. Combined impact was mainly affected by decomposition of nitric acid, resulting in presence of reactive nitrogen oxides, increased oxygen partial pressure, and UV radiation energy, simultaneously in vapour phase.
To investigate the degradation effects after the outdoor exposure, jerrycans were exposed to a so called hydraulic internal pressure test, similar to an approval test for dangerous goods packaging. After combined impact of UV radiation and nitric acid, internal pressure tests showed very fast failures, whereas after separate impacts no remarkable deteriorations were observed, compared to unaged jerrycans.
The combination of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags with different types of sensors offers excellent potential for applications with regard to identification, diagnosis, and monitoring. This should be demonstrated by means of two examples of actual developments carried out by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). The Identification and diagnosis of concrete components is a major task in the maintenance of critical infrastructure, for instance concrete bridges with heavy traffic volume. A feasibility study investigates the application of RFID sensor systems for this task. The second example reviews the transportation of dangerous goods. Using modern technologies enables promising possibilities to reduce accidents and to avoid non-conformity with transportation regulations. Project results demonstrate an innovative technical solution for monitoring of dangerous goods transports with RFID sensor systems.
Combined impact of ultraviolet and chemical fluids on high-density polyethylene packaging material
(2012)
To investigate the ageing behaviour of filled plastic containers outdoors, square cuts of the wall of two high-density polyethylene (HDPE) types were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation at their front side and to specific liquid chemicals (de-ionized water, surfactant or White Spirit) at their back. The UV radiant exposure at the front side was 80 MJ/m².
To compare the actions of the different exposures, separate dark backside fluid exposures were performed, in parallel. Besides, UV weathering was carried out until a UV radiant exposure of 325 MJ/m², being roughly comparable to outdoor exposure of one year in Northern Australia.
An unpigmented HDPE included in the investigation gave no sufficient protection for the White Spirit. In addition, it showed clear degradation after several of these exposures. In combination with the White Spirit, an increase of carbonyl bonds was measured, presumably assignable to degradation products of the White Spirit.
For a pigmented HDPE material, with the implemented combined exposures, no relevant damage was observed, within applied the exposure period.
The effect of the wall thickness variation of blow-moulded bodies made of high-density polyethylene on an internal pressure test after prestoring the packaging with standard liquids was evaluated in experiments and simulations. The objects of the investigation were jerrycans used for the transportation and storage of dangerous goods.
The wall thickness was determined using two alternative methods to the magnetostatic measurement. These alternative methods are used for research purpose to get a volumetric model of the jerrycan wall as a geometric model for the simulation. The comparison of the experiments and the simulations of the internal pressure test were performed using the digital image correlation method. The integral strain and deformation of the whole jerrycan was detected by measuring the total mass of the jerrycan being filled with water during the internal pressure test. This is a suitable alternative to the optical measurements of local deformation by the digital image correlation method. Prestorage at 40°C without the influence of chemicals strengthens the jerrycan, whereas the swelling effect of butyl acetate and hydrocarbon mixture softens the jerrycan. The comparison with the experiment is necessary to verify the accuracy of the simulation. It shows that the deformation can be simulated more precisely by using the actual measured geometry. The weakening of the high-density polyethylene caused by a hydrocarbon mixture can be simulated using the Arrhenius equation. The aim of the simulation was to discover whether it is possible to use specimens to predict the behaviour of a packaging both after the influence of standard liquids.
Nondestructive testing (NDT) methods are applicable in many ways for defect detection as well as optimization of packaging production processes. The visual inspection method is the technique which is mostly used, although neither the customer nor a skilled inspector may be aware of this.
Techniques like ultrasound for wall thickness measurement, the application of x-ray techniques or the use of dye penetrant techniques for crack detection are rather well known to the NDT family. However, acoustic emission techniques can also be helpful for the characterization of packaging materials. In this paper the employment of x-ray computer tomography (CT) for measurement of wall thickness in plastic jerrycans, especially on the edges, and its possible optimization of production processes will be discussed.
A comparison of the CT and ultrasonic examinations of wall thickness and the reliability of this measured data are also important points for the discussion, especially if some safety factors can be derived from the results.
The leakage test is also good for jerrycans, IBCs or other kinds of drums for the transportation and storage of dangerous goods. The disadvantage of this kind of test is that a lack of quality, e.g. wall thickness deterioration, cannot be detected if the wall thickness withstands the internal pressure. Therefore, especially for Quality assurance, the other, previously mentioned techniques are better for a statistical assessment of a batch. This paper is focused on the comparison of different NDT results with special emphasis on the large range of material mechanical properties.
The objective was to find out whether an explosive atmosphere can be created in a freight container by gaseous leakage flow of vapour-air-mixture through leaks in the closures of dangerous goods packagings filled with hazardous liquids. Because of high temperatures during intercontinental carriage, there is a gauge pressure in the free vapour phase inside the packagings which can cause a gaseous leakage flow. Two different methods were applied:
Helium limit leakage rates for 23 quantitatively important hazardous liquids concerning their lower explosion limit (LEL) were calculated for a worst case transport scenario (Method 1).
Helium leakage rates of five closure types of dangerous goods packagings with volumes of approximately 6 l were measured using the pressure technique by accumulation (Method 2).
All types of closures of steel packagings were uncritical. The maximum measured leakage was 33% of the limit leakage rate. The leakage rates of screw closures of plastic jerricans can exceed the LEL if there are production-related patterns such as non-concentricity of the closures and flashes on the neck. Especially for plastic packagings it is important to minimize gaseous leakage flow, because an explosive atmosphere can also be reached by permeation of the individual filling substance or by a combination of both effects. For the assessment of potentially explosive mixtures in freight containers, both mass transfer mechanisms have to be taken into account.
The International Dangerous Goods Regulations prescribe the immersion under water method (“bubble test”) as standard method for the leakproofness test of dangerous goods packagings. But this test procedure acts as a test method for leak localisation, not for quantitative leakage rates measurement. Additionally, the sensitivity in detecting leaks of small diameters is restricted, depending on the test liquid and the test pressure. The bubble test is not suitable for a comparison with quantitative limit leakage rates based on realistic transport conditions. This is especially important when estimating the risk of the formation of an explosive atmosphere during the intercontinental carriage of dangerous goods packagings in freight containers.
To compare measured leakage rates with limit leakage rates, a quantitative leak testing procedure is required. Therefore a new approach for dangerous goods packagings is implemented: The pressure technique by accumulation using Helium as a tracer gas.
This work presents the test equipment necessary for the quantitative measurement of Helium leakage rates through closures of different kinds of dangerous goods packagings. The essential steps to achieve good repeatable results are: A controlled Helium filling process to reach a defined test pressure in the test sample, a sufficient homogenisation of the Helium-air-mixture inside the test sample and the ensuring of a constant pressure level of the test sample during the test. The Helium loss rate of the accumulation chamber has to be measured separately to receive a correction factor for the measured leakage rates. Different constructional measures are introduced to prevent a disturbing influence of the Helium leakage rate of the filling valves on the measurement results. Methods to estimate the disturbing effect of Helium permeation through permeable parts of the test sample are also presented. As a supporting method for the experimental investigations the Helium sniffer test can be applied. This practical application-oriented advice can enable other users to establish a pressure technique by accumulation for their own technical field.
The International Dangerous Goods Regulations prescribe the immersion under water method (“bubble test”) as standard method for the leakproofness test of dangerous goods packagings. But this test procedure acts as a test method for leak localisation, not for quantitative leakage rates measurement. Additionally, the sensitivity in detecting leaks of small diameters is restricted, depending on the test liquid and the test pressure. The bubble test is not suitable for a comparison with quantitative limit leakage rates based on realistic transport conditions. This is especially important when estimating the risk of the formation of an explosive atmosphere during the intercontinental carriage of dangerous goods packagings in freight containers. To compare measured leakage rates with limit leakage rates, a quantitative leak testing procedure is required. Therefore a new approach for dangerous goods packagings is implemented: The pressure technique by accumulation using Helium as a tracer gas. This work presents the test equipment necessary for the quantitative measurement of Helium leakage rates through closures of different kinds of dangerous goods packagings. The essential steps to achieve good repeatable results are: A controlled Helium filling process to reach a defined test pressure in the test sample, a sufficient homogenisation of the Helium-air-mixture inside the test sample and the ensuring of a constant pressure level of the test sample during the test. The Helium loss rate of the accumulation chamber has to be measured separately to receive a correction factor for the measured leakage rates. Different constructional measures are introduced to prevent a disturbing influence of the Helium leakage rate of the filling valves on the measurement results. Methods to estimate the disturbing effect of Helium permeation through permeable parts of the test sample are also presented. As a supporting method for the experimental investigations the Helium sniffer test can be applied. This practical application-oriented advice can enable other users to establish a pressure technique by accumulation for their own technical field.
The presentation gives an overview about the testing of packagings according to the UN-Recommendations. After an introduction of the worldwide recommendations and the European regulations some packaging tests are presented. Examples of the current work of the UN Subcommittee on packaging testing and some on going research on packaging tests are presented.
The Dangerous Goods Regulations currently do not include limit leakage rates orsensitivity requirements for industrial leak testing procedures that are equivalent tothe bubble test, which is the prescribed test method for design type testing ofdangerous goods packagings. During series production of such packagings, variousmethods are used, which often do not meet the requirements of the bubble test withregard to important criteria.Sensitivity, flow direction, pressure level and automatability are particularly importantfactors when selecting a suitable industrial leak testing method.The following methods are in principle both suitable and equally effective as thebubble test: pressure rise test (vacuum chamber), ultrasonic bubble leak detectionand gas detection methods (pressure technique by accumulation and vacuumchamber technique).To ensure a uniform test level during design type testing and production line leaktesting and therefore a comparable safety level as required by the Dangerous GoodsRegulations, it is necessary to include a more precise specification in these regula-tions. This requires, on the one hand, information about the sensitivity of the bubbletest and, on the other hand, the inclusion of a list of suitable, equally effective indus-trial test methods with their specific boundary conditions.
The leaks of dangerous goods from actually intact bags detected in the years 2018 to 2020 tend to be at an almost constant high level. These releases of powdery or granular dangerous goods represent violations of the sift-proofness required in the dangerous goods regulations. This article first analyzes the causes.
The components of the bags that are affected by leaks are micro-perforations, joins and closures, in particular internal sleeve valves. A distinction must be made between bags closed in conformity with or contrary to the manufacturer's instructions. The particle release is determined by a number of influencing factors of the filling substance, the packaging and other boundary conditions.
Therefore, a comprehensive test concept is developed in this work, which takes all these factors into account. The application of this test concept facilitates the planning of the test setup and the experiments. On this basis, the complex mechanisms involved in the release of solid substances can be systematically investigated in the test laboratory.
To prevent releases of powdery or granular substances from intact bags, it is necessary that the user has access to the closing instructions and the relevant properties of the test substance used for the design type approval. Further experimental investigations are needed to assess whether filling substances change their properties during transport and whether this enables them to escape.
Abstract: The leaks of dangerous goods from actually intact bags detected in the years 2018 to 2020 tend to be at an almost constant high level. These releases of powdery or granular dangerous goods represent violations of the sift-proofness required in the dangerous goods regulations. This article first analyzes the causes. The components of the bags that are affected by leaks are micro-perforations, joins and closures, in particular internal sleeve valves.
A distinction must be made between bags closed in conformity with or contrary to the manufacturer's instructions.
The particle release is determined by a number of influencing factors of the filling substance, the packaging and other boundary conditions. Therefore, a comprehensive test concept is developed in this work, which takes all these factors into account. The application of this test concept facilitates the planning of the test setup and the experiments. On this basis, the complex mechanisms involved in the release of solid substances can be systematically investigated in the test laboratory. To prevent releases of powdery or granular substances from intact bags, it is necessary that the user has access to the closing instructions and the relevant properties of the test substance used for the design type approval. Further experimental investigations are needed to assess whether filling substances change their properties during transport and whether this enables them to escape.
To ensure safety when transporting dangerous goods, it is important to specify the flow properties of the respective solid filling substance of the packagings. For this purpose, the angle of repose is currently used for the UN approvals in Germany. Measurements were carried out on 12 powdery or granular substances applying the angle of repose measuring methods customary in the test centres. The results of the methods differ significantly from each other. In addition, some of the techniques cannot be applied for very cohesive or coarse-grained materials. The results for the angle of repose show a strong scatter for some constellations (coefficient of variation more than 20 %). Safety during transport of dangerous goods cannot be guaranteed with this currently practiced system of measuring the angle of repose. As a consequence, an alternative parameter to characterize the flow properties of bulk materials should be used in the recognized test centers for dangerous goods packagings, such as the Hausner ratio. This approach leads to more precise test results for the substances examined (maximum coefficient of variation 2.8 %). It also has advantages in terms of applicability and occupational safety.
Since the flow properties are safety-relevant, both in terms of mechanical safety and safety against the release of dangerous substances, the testing practice in the recognized test labs should be improved and standardized.
The flow properties of powdery or granular filling substances for dangerous goods packagings are safety-relevant parameters. To specify the flow behavior, the angle of repose is measured in the recognized test centers for dangerous goods packagings in Germany. Previous investigations performed on non-hazardous substances revealed that some of the methods currently used have disadvantages in application. Additionally, for occupational health and safety reasons, it was generally viewed critically to carry out measurements of the angle of repose for dangerous goods at all. Instead, the dimensionless Hausner ratio to describe the flow behavior was proposed.
In this work, the investigations were extended to real hazardous substances to concretize the assessment. Five exemplary hazardous substances were tested for their angle of repose using the methods commonly applied in the test centers. The Hausner ratio was also determined. In addition, the influence of a different climatic preconditioning on the angle of repose measurement was examined using three selected non-hazardous bulk materials.
The results show that the measurement of the angle of repose is not fundamentally excluded for dangerous goods. However, for reasons of applicability, repeatability and occupational health and safety, only the ISO method can be applied for dangerous filling substances. This method provides conservative results regarding a safety-related evaluation of flow properties for the transport of dangerous goods.
In principle, both the ISO method and the determination of the Hausner ratio can be used for dangerous goods. It is also essential especially with finely powdered filling goods, to carry out controlled preconditioning.