CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE

INSTALLATION OF PRESSURE SENSING

DEVICES ON DRY GASEOUS AND LIQUID
CHLORINE APPLICATIONS

GEST 94/207
Edition 2
February 2010

EURO CHLOR PUBLICATION

________________________________________________________
This document can be obtained from:
EURO CHLOR - Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, Box 2 - B-1160 BRUSSELS
Telephone: 32-(0)2-676 72 65 - Telefax : 32-(0)2-676 72 41

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

Euro Chlor

Euro Chlor is the European federation which represents the producers of chlorine
and its primary derivatives.
Euro Chlor is working to:

improve awareness and understanding of the contribution that chlorine

chemistry has made to the thousands of products, which have improved
our health, nutrition, standard of living and quality of life;
maintain open and timely dialogue with regulators, politicians, scientists,
the media and other interested stakeholders in the debate on chlorine;
ensure our industry contributes actively to any public, regulatory or
scientific debate and provides balanced and objective science-based
information to help answer questions about chlorine and its derivatives;
promote the best safety, health and environmental practices in the
manufacture, handling and use of chlor-alkali products in order to assist
our members in achieving continuous improvements (Responsible Care).

***********
This document has been produced by the members of Euro Chlor and should not be reproduced in
whole or in part without the prior written consent of Euro Chlor.
It is intended to give only guidelines and recommendations. The information is provided in good
faith and was based on the best information available at the time of publication. The information is
to be relied upon at the users own risk. Euro Chlor and its members make no guarantee and
assume no liability whatsoever for the use and the interpretation of or the reliance on any of the
information provided.
This document was originally prepared in English by our technical experts. For our members
convenience, it may have been translated into other EU languages by translators / Euro Chlor
members. Although every effort was made to ensure that the translations were accurate, Euro
Chlor shall not be liable for any losses of accuracy or information due to the translation process.
Prior to 1990, Euro Chlors technical activities took place under the name BITC (Bureau
International Technique du Chlore). References to BITC documents may be assumed to be to Euro
Chlor documents.

February 2010

Page 2 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

RESPONSIBLE CARE IN ACTION

Chlorine is essential in the chemical industry and consequently there is a need for
chlorine to be produced, stored, transported and used. The chlorine industry has
co-operated over many years to ensure the well-being of its employees, local
communities and the wider environment. This document is one in a series which
the European producers, acting through Euro Chlor, have drawn up to promote
continuous improvement in the general standards of health, safety and the
environment associated with chlorine manufacture in the spirit of Responsible
Care.
The voluntary recommendations, techniques and standards presented in these
documents are based on the experiences and best practices adopted by member
companies of Euro Chlor at their date of issue. They can be taken into account in
full or partly, whenever companies decide it individually, in the operation of existing
processes and in the design of new installations. They are in no way intended as
a substitute for the relevant national or international regulations which should be
fully complied with.
It has been assumed in the preparation of these publications that the users will
ensure that the contents are relevant to the application selected and are correctly
applied by appropriately qualified and experienced people for whose guidance
they have been prepared. The contents are based on the most authoritative
information available at the time of writing and on good engineering, medical or
technical practice but it is essential to take account of appropriate subsequent
developments or legislation. As a result, the text may be modified in the future to
incorporate evolution of these and other factors.
This edition of the document has been drawn up by the safety working group
(GEST) to whom all suggestions concerning possible revision should be
addressed through the offices of Euro Chlor.

February 2010

Page 3 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

MAIN MODIFICATIONS IN THIS VERSION

Section Nature
All
All
2.
4.

Insure coherence with GEST 94/210 - Code of Practice for The

Installation of Flow Measuring Devices on Dry Gaseous and
Liquid Chlorine Applications
General update on documents referred to
Add information on sealing fluids, including as source of errors
Clarifications added on branches (including in figures) in line with
GEST on pipelines

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.

SCOPE

DIAPHRAGM SEALS

2.1.
2.2.

3.

Direct mount diaphragm seal

Remote diaphragm seal

5
5

LOCATION OF DEVICE
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.

Ease of access
Local indication: visibility
Isolation, testing and removal
Support
Protection against Impact
Other relevant information

7
7
7
9
9
9

4.

PRIMARY PROCESS CONNECTION

5.

EXTENSION PIPEWORK

11

6.

REFERENCES

11

February 2010

Page 4 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

1. SCOPE
This guideline provides advice on the installation of pressure measuring and
detection instrumentation on dry gaseous and liquid chlorine applications.
The document does not include the selection of equipment and materials (see
GEST 79/82 Materials of Construction for Use in Contact with Chlorine);
however possible diaphragm locations are described.

2. DIAPHRAGM SEALS
The material of the diaphragm should be resistant to chlorine, including the
possibility of moisture entrance during maintenance, for example tantalum.
The fill fluids used should be totally inert for chlorine, like completely chlorofluorinated oils (Voltalef, Fluorolube ) or, if the volume is lower than 3 cc, fluids
for which the reactivity with chlorine has been confirmed to be very low may be
used (Silicon DC200 for example).

2.1. Direct mount diaphragm seal

The direct mounted diaphragm seal is the first choice due to lower installation
costs and better general performance (see example in figure 1). The instrument
should be designed to have a restricted leak path in the event of diaphragm
failure.
Figure 1: Direct mount diaphragm seal

2.2. Remote diaphragm seal

The remote diaphragm is recommended for applications where vibration or
pulsation in the pipe will damage the transmitter or the instrument connection. It

February 2010

Page 5 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

shall be used if the process temperature at the direct mount transmitter will exceed
maximum allowed temperature (see figure 2).
Remote seal error
Temperature-induced errors are inherent to diaphragm seal systems due to
changes of volume of the seal system and density of the fill fluid with fluctuations
in the process and ambient temperatures.
Factors influencing this effect are:

the diaphragm stiffness, primarily size related

the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fill fluid
the fill fluid volume related to the diaphragm size

In addition, one needs to be aware of variables that affect the response time of the
pressure measurement with capillary systems.
Figure 2: Remotely Installed Pressure Sensing Devices

3. LOCATION OF DEVICE
The installation and location of a pressure sensing device should be carried out
after consideration of the following general factors:
1. Ease of access
2. Local indication : visibility
3. Provision for isolation, testing and removal of the device
4. Adequate support of pipework and instrument to protect it against
excessive stresses and reaction forces
5. Protection against impact
6. Other relevant information which could influence the performance of the
device.

February 2010

Page 6 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

3.1. Ease of access

The pressure sensing device should be located to allow access for maintenance or
replacement without the need for temporary access platforms or ladders unless
Process/Plant conditions dictate otherwise.

3.2. Local indication: visibility

Locally mounted indicating devices should be clearly visible from ground or
platform level. Where sensing devices are mounted at a distance in excess of 1
metre from the primary process connection, a method to avoid transporting of
chlorine to the device should be considered at the design stage (remote
diaphragm seal like in Figure 2).
The secondary pressure sensor is then equipped with a local indicator.

3.3. Isolation, testing and removal

The pressure sensing device should be installed to enable easy maintenance,
testing or replacement. Consideration should be given to ease of isolation,
cleaning and decontamination taking into account prevention of emissions during
disconnection operations (see figure 3).
In case of gaseous chlorine with risk of liquefaction, vertical mounting is preferred
in a way to avoid liquid chlorine accumulation in the measuring device.
Figure 3: Locally installed pressure sensing devices

In certain applications (when the process pipework cannot be depressurised), the

need to vent the instrument pipework may be desirable or alternatively purging of

February 2010

Page 7 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

the system may be necessary. In these instances additional branch connections

are necessary for connection to a venting system, especially if the quantity of
chlorine between valve and measuring system is considered as too high for the
safety of workers removing the equipment, even equipped with a protective mask
(see Figure 4a).
Figure 4a: Locally installed pressure sensing devices with venting
connection

Warning: Any emission has to be reduced to the strict minimum. During the
disconnection operation, personnel should be adequately protected (see GEST
92/171 Personnel Protective Equipment for Use with Chlorine).
Alternatively, a flush ring design can be used (see figure 4b).

February 2010

Page 8 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

Figure 4b: Locally installed pressure sensing devices with flush ring

3.4. Support
Whenever possible, the pipework design shall be constructed to be self
supporting. If not possible, adequate support of the equipment shall be provided.
Vertical mounting is preferred to minimize stress in the nozzle on the main pipe.

3.5. Protection against Impact

Devices should be located to avoid mechanical damage.

3.6. Other relevant information

When installing the pressure sensing device, reference to the manufacturers
specification regarding its installation, orientation, safety clearances and
temperature tolerances should be observed.

4. PRIMARY PROCESS CONNECTION

The primary process branch connection for the pressure sensing device should be
designed according to GEST 79/81 Liquid and Dry Gaseous Chlorine Piping
Systems Located inside Producers or Consumers Plants.
The following will be taken into account:
1) Screwed connections shall not be used between the process pipe and
the isolation valve, and should be avoided wherever possible after the
isolation valve.

February 2010

Page 9 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

2) A forged flanged pipeline branch having a diameter of minimum 25 mm

(recommended 40 mm) installed to the appropriate engineering
specification and to the Euro Chlor piping recommendations (GEST
79/81 Liquid and Dry Gaseous Chlorine Piping Systems Located
Inside Producers or Consumers Plants)..
3) The length of the branch should be minimised but sufficient to allow for
a correct thermal insulation of the pipe.
4) The primary isolation valve and the venting valve shall be in compliance
with the Euro Chlor valve recommendations (see GEST 06/318 - Globe
valves for use on liquid chlorine).
Notes
Pressure sensing devices do not require valves with high Cv ratings, therefore, it is
acceptable to have a smaller valve trim within the 40 mm flanged body, but
potential for blockage should be considered (depending on the process).
In certain applications where the pressure sensing device forms part of critical
safety system, provision of a locking facility should be considered to prevent
accidental closure of the valve.
Exceptions
In certain instances, the pressure sensing device forms part of bursting disc
arrangement or a bursting disc / safety valve combination that is used to monitor
the interspace between the devices. In these applications isolating valves for the
pressure sensing equipment shall not be installed or shall be locked to prevent
accidental closing (see Figures 5a and b).
Figure 5: Pressure Sensing Devices Installed on Bursting Disc / Safety Valve
Installations
a) pressure sensor on bursting disk in series

February 2010

Page 10 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

b) pressure sensor on bursting disk with safety valve in series

5. EXTENSION PIPEWORK
In all cases, pipework shall be minimised. When there is a requirement for
extending instrument pipework (after the isolation valve), the design criteria for the
pipework is as follows:
1. Extension pipework and flanges to have a recommended diameter of 40
mm, with a minimum of 25 mm;
2. The maximum extension length of the pipework should be minimised to
limit the chlorine volume trapped;
3. Suitable supports shall be provided if required,
For more information see GEST 79/81 Liquid and Dry Gaseous Chlorine
Piping Systems Located Inside Producers or Consumers Plants.

6. REFERENCES
GEST 79/81 Liquid and Dry Gaseous Chlorine Piping Systems
Located Inside Producers or Consumers Plants
GEST 79/82 Materials of Construction for Use in Contact with
Chlorine
GEST 92/171 Personnel Protective Equipment for Use with Chlorine
GEST 06/318 - Globe valves for use on liquid chlorine

February 2010

Page 11 of 12

GEST 94/207
Edition 2

Industrial consumers of chlorine, engineering and equipment supply companies

worldwide and chlorine producers outside Europe may establish a permanent
relationship with Euro Chlor by becoming Associate Members or Technical
Correspondents.
Details of membership categories and fees are available from:
Euro Chlor
Avenue E Van Nieuwenhuyse 4
Box 2
B-1160 Brussels
Belgium
Tel:
Fax:
e-mail:
Internet:

February 2010

+32 2 676 7211

+32 2 676 7241
eurochlor@cefic.be
http://www.eurochlor.org

Page 12 of 12