Presentation of the German Working Committee NA 016-00-07 AA: Safety Devices for Helium Cryostats

摘要

The European Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC (PED) is the guideline for the design, manufacture and conformity of pressure equipment and assemblies with the 'maximum allowable pressure P·S' greater than 0.5 bar. According to the PED the momentary pressure surge must be kept to 10% of the maximum allowable pressure. Maximum allowable pressure PS stands for the maximum pressure for which the equipment is designed, as specified by the manufacturer. In Europe two standards are applied, namely DIN EN ISO 4126 (Safety devices for protection against excessive pressure) and in particular for cryogenic applications EN 13648 (Cryogenic vessels - Safety devices for protection against excessive pressure). But these standards ignore serious details very important for helium applications. Recently a national committee had been established in Germany to work on a proposition for a new standard regarding pressure protection of helium pressure equipment (DIN SPEC 4683). The members of the working group consist of experimental scientists and engineers from research facilities, safety equipment manufacturers and administrative institutions. The presentation will introduce the working group and its task. The final directive currently being edited will include guidance for hazard analysis, operational safety assessment, damage prevention and damage control for helium pressure equipment.