Schedule XIV

Compression of Oxygen and Hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water

(1) The room in which electrolyser plant is installed shall be separate from the plant for

storing and Compressing the Oxygen and Hydrogen and also the electric generator room.

(2) The purity of oxygen and hydrogen shall be tested by a competent person at least once in

every shift at the following points:-

(i) in the electrolysis room.

(ii) at the gas holder inlet. and

(iii) at the suction end of the compressor.

The purity figures shall be entered in the register and signed by the persons carrying out such

test: provided that, if the electrolyser plant is fitted with automatic recorder of purity of

oxygen and hydrogen with alarm lights, it shall be sufficient is the purity of the gases is tested

at the suction end of the compressor only.

(3) The oxygen and hydrogen gases shall not be compressed, if their purity, as determined

under clause (2) above, falls below 98% at any time.

(4) The bell of any gas holder shall not be permitted to go within 30 cms of its lowest

position when empty and a limit switch shall be fitted to the gas-holder in such a manner as to

switch off the compressor motor when this limit is reached.

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(5) There shall be at least two gas-holders for each kind of gas compressed and the gas-

holders for same gas shall be provided with suitable arrangements to ensure that no gas

holder is connected to the compressor and to the electrolyser at the same time and only one

gas-holder is connected to the compressor line at any one time.

(6) The water and caustic soda and potash used for making electrolytes shall be of standard

suitable for electrolysis.

(7) Electrical connections at the electrolyser cells and at the electric generator terminals shall

be so constructed, as to preclude the possibility of wrong connections leading to the reversal

of polarity and in addition an automatic device shall be provided to cut off power in the event

of reversal of polarity owing to wrong connections either at the switch board or at the electric

generator terminals.

(8) Oxygen and hydrogen gas pipes shall be painted with distinguishing colours. Whenever a

hydrogen pipe is opened for repairs or any other work, on reconnection the pipe shall be

purged of all air before hydrogen is allowed to pass through that pipe.

(9) All electrical wiring and apparatus in the electrolyser room and hydrogen compression

room shall be of flame-proof construction or enclosed in flame-proof fittings and no naked

light or flame shall be allowed to be taken either in the electrolyser room or where

compression and filling of the gases is carried on and such warning notices shall be exhibited

in prominent places.

(10) No part of the electrolyser plant and the gas holders and compressor shall be subject to

welding, brazing, soldering or cutting until steps have been taken to remove any explosive

substance from that part and render the part safe for such operations and after the completion

of such operations, no explosive substance shall be allowed to enter that part until the metal

has cooled sufficiently to prevent risk of explosion.

(11) No work of operation, repair or maintenance shall be under-taken except under the direct

supervision of a person who, by his training, experience and knowledge of the necessary

precautions against risk of explosion is competent to supervise such work. No electric

generator after erection or repairs shall be switched on to the electrolysers unless the same is

certified by the competent person under whose direct supervision, erection or repairs are

carried on to be in a safe condition and the terminals have been checked for the polarity as

required by clause (7).

Every part of the electrolyser plant and the gas holders and compressor shall have a

regular schedule of overhaul and checking and every defect noticed shall he rectified

forthwith.