Schedule XIX

Solvent Extraction Plants

Process of extracting Vegetable Oil from oil cakes in Solvent Extraction Plants

1. Definitions.- For the purposes of this Schedule,-

(a) "Solvent Extraction Plant" means the plant in which the process of extracting vegetable

oils from oil cakes by the use of solvents is carried on.

(b) "Solvent" means an inflammable liquid such as pentane hexane and heptane used for

the recovery of vegetable oils.

(c) "Flame Proof' enclosure as applied to electrical machinery or apparatus means an

enclosure that will withstand, when covers or other access doors are properly secured,

an internal explosion of the flammable gas or vapour which may enter or which may

originate inside the enclosure without suffering damage and without communicating

internal inflammation (or explosion) to the external flammable gas or vapour.

2. Location and layout.- (a) No solvent extraction plant shall be permitted to be constructed

or extended to within a distance of 30 meters from the nearest residential locality.

(b) A 1.5 meter high continuous wire fencing shall be provided around the Solvent

Extraction Plant up to a minimum distance of 15 meters from the plant.

(c) No person shall be allowed to carry any matches or mobile or an open flame or

fire inside the area bound by the fencing.

(d) Boiler houses and other buildings where open flame processes are carried on shall

be located at least 30 meters away from the Solvent extraction Plant.

(e) If godowns and preparatory processes are at less than 30 meters distance from the

Solvent Extraction Plant, these shall be at least 15 meters distance from the plant,

and a continuous barrier wall of non-combustible material 1.5 meters high shall be

erected at a distance of not less than 15 meters from the Solvent Extraction Plant

so that it extends to at least 30 meters of vapour travel around its ends from the

plant to the possible sources of ignition.

3. Electrical installations.-

(a) All electrical motors and wiring and other electrical equipment installed or housed in

Solvent Extraction Plant shall be of flame proof construction.

(b) All metal parts of the plant and building including various tanks and containers where

solvents are stored or are present and all parts of electrical equipment not required to

be energized shall be properly bounded together and connected to earth so as to avoid

accidental rise in the electrical potential of such parts above the earth potential.

4. Restriction on smoking.- Smoking shall be strictly prohibited within 15 meters distance

from Solvent Extraction Plant. For this purpose, "No Smoking" signs shall be permanently

displayed in the area.

5. Precautions against friction.-

(a) All tools and equipment including ladders. chains and other lifting tackle required

to be used in Solvent Extraction Plant shall be of non-sparking type.

(b) No machinery or equipment in any solvent extraction plant shall be belt driven,

unless the belt used is of such a type that it does not permit accumulation of static

electricity to a dangerous level.

(c) No person shall be allowed to enter and work in the Solvent Extraction Plant if

wearing cloths made of nylon or such fibre that can generate static electrical

charge, or wearing footwear which is likely to cause sparks by friction.

6. Fire Fighting Apparatus.-

(a) Adequate number of portable fire extinguishers suitable for use against flammable

liquid fires shall be provided in the Solvent Extraction plant.

(b) An automatic water spray sprinkler system on a wet pipe or open-head deluge

system with sufficient supply of storage water shall be provided over Solvent

Extraction Plant and throughout the building housing such plant.

7. Precautions against power failure.- Provision shall be made for the automatic cutting off

of steam in the event of power failure and also for emergency overhead water supply for

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feeding water by gravity to condensers which shall come into play automatically with the

power failure.

8. Magnetic Separators.- Oil cake shall be fed to the extractor by a conveyor through hopper

and a magnetic separator shall be provided to remove any pieces of iron during its transfer.

9. Venting.-

(a) Tanks containing solvents shall be protected with emergency venting to relieve

excessive internal pressure in the event of fire.

(b) All emergency relief vents shall terminate at least 6 metres above the ground and

be so located that vapours will not re-enter the building in which Solvent

Extraction Plant is located.

10. Waste water.- Process waste water shall be passed through a flash evaporator to remove

any solvent before it is discharged into a sump.

11. Ventilation.- The Solvent Extraction Plant shall be well ventilated and if the plant is

housed in a building, the building shall be provided with mechanical ventilation with

provision for at least six air changes per hour.

12. Housekeeping.-

(a) Solvents shall not be stored in an area covered by Solvent Extraction Plant except

in small quantities which shall be stored in approved safety cans.

(b) Waste materials such as oily rags, other wastes and absorbents used to wipe off

solvent and paints and oils shall be deposited in approved containers and removed

from the premises at least once a day.

(c) Space within the Solvent Extraction Plant and within 15 metres from the plant

shall be kept free from any combustible materials and any spills of oil or solvent,

shall be cleaned up immediately.

13. Examination and repairs.-

(a) The Solvent Extraction Plant shall be examined by the competent person to

determine any weakness or corrosion and wear once in every 12 months. Report

of such examination shall be submitted to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator with his

observation as to whether or not the plant is in safe condition to work.

(b) No repairs shall be carried out to the machinery or plant except under the direct

supervision of the competent employee of the factory.

(c) Facility shall be provided for purging the plant with inert gas or steam before

opening for cleaning or repairs and before introducing solvent after repairs.

14. Operating personnel.- The operation of the plant and machinery in the Solvent

Extraction Plant shall be in the charge of such duly qualified and trained person are certified

by the competent person to be fit for the purpose and no other person shall be allowed to

operate the plant and machinery.

15. Vapour detection.- A suitable type of combustible gas indicator shall be provided and

maintained in good working order and a schedule of routine sampling of atmosphere at

various locations as approved by the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator shall be drawn out and

entered in a register maintained for the purpose.

16. Further precautions in cases of batch type Solvent Extraction Plants.- In case of

batch type Solvent Extraction Plants, the following further precautions shall be observed:-

(a) When the solvent is removed from batch extractor by vacuum gauges shall be

provided and tests shall be carried out to ensure that a minimum vacuum of 650

mm (26") mercury is obtained and maintained steadily for a minimum period of

30 minutes before the extractor is allowed to be opened for discharge of cake or

for persons to enter.

(b) When on opening the door of a batch extractor the extracted meal cannot be

dislodged from the extractor freely, door shall be closed and the material reheated

(dry) under vacuum for at least 60 minutes before the door is reopened.

(c) Where solvent is removed by steam heating, the presence of the solvent shall be

tested at the vent provided on the top of the vessel before opening the vessel.

(d) A log book of operations with the following particulars shall be maintained and

made available on demand to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator:-

(i) vacuum gauge reading for each charge.

(ii) testing of continuity of electrical bending and earthing system,

(iii) loss of solvent every 24 hours or loss per tonne of raw materials used.

17. Exemption.— If in respect of any factory, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator is

satisfied that owing to the exceptional circumstances or infrequency of the processes for any

other reasons, all or any of the provisions of this schedule is not necessary for the protection

of the workers in factory, the Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may by a certificate in writing

(which he may in his discretion revoke at any time) exempt such factory from all or any of

such provision subject to condition. if any, as he may specify therein.