Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labelling of Chemicals

Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

Forty-first session

Geneva, 25 June – 04 July 2012

Item 5 (a) of the provisional agenda

Miscellaneous proposals of amendments to the Model Regulations

on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: packagings

               Proposal for changing Section 6.2.4 to permit alternatives to the hot water bath test for small receptacles containing gas (gas cartridges) – UN 2037 – and fuel cell cartridges containing liquefied flammable gas

                   Submitted by the European Cylinder Makers Association (ECMA)[1]

               Introduction

1.         Whereas in paragraph 6.2.4.2 approved alternatives to the hot water bath test are permitted for aerosol dispensers, no similar permission is granted for "small receptacles containing gas (gas cartridges) or for fuel cell cartridges.".

2.         Manufacturers of aerosol dispensers using new processes and having increased production rates required the option of alternative test methods to the classic hot water bath test and consequently an approved alternative to the hot water bath test was first included in paragraph 6.2.4.2, Rev 14 (2005) of the UN Model Regulations, following an application made by FEA. The requirements of the alternative are set out in paragraphs 6.2.4.2.2, 6.2.4.2.2.1, 6.2.4.2.2.2 and 6.2.4.2.2.3.

3.         Some manufacturers of receptacles to UN 2037 also require an alternative to the hot water bath test essentially for the same reasons as those given in the listed related documents. These manufacturers produce high pressure liquefied gas filled cartridges such as 10ml N₂O filled cream whippers, 22ml CO₂ filled cylinders for aircraft passenger life jacket inflation or 85 ml CO₂ filled cylinders for military life preservers at rates of around 250,000 a day. In some instances test pressures are applied by heating in an oven to the required temperature and holding at that temperature for a specified period and leakage is checked by measuring the weight before and after oven heating or after storage for a long period. To confirm the burst pressure requirement samples can be hydraulically pressurised to burst.

4.         The following proposal for changing paragraph 6.2.4.1 is based on the same principles as for aerosol dispensers as provided in paragraph 6.2.4.2.

               Proposal

5.         Replace paragraph 6.2.4.1 by the following:

6.2.4.1       Small receptacles containing gas (gas cartridges) and fuel cell cartridges containing liquefied flammable gas

         Each gas cartridge or fuel cell cartridge shall be subject to a test in a hot water bath or an approved water bath alternative.

6.2.4.1.1    Hot water bath test

6.2.4.1.1.1 The temperature of the water bath and the duration of the test shall be such that the internal pressure reaches that which would be reached at 55 °C (5 °C if the liquid phase does not exceed 95% of the capacity of the receptacle or the fuel cell cartridge at 50 °C). If the contents are sensitive to heat or if the receptacles or the fuel cell cartridges are made of plastics material which softens at this temperature, the temperature of the bath shall be set at between 20 °C and 30 °C but, in addition, one receptacle or fuel cell cartridge in 2 000 shall be tested at the higher temperature.

6.2.4.1.1.2 No leakage or permanent deformation of the receptacle or fuel cell cartridge may occur, except that a plastics receptacle or fuel cell cartridge may be deformed through softening provided that it does not leak.

6.2.4.1.2    Alternative methods

With the approval of the competent authority alternative methods that provide an equivalent level of safety may be used provided that the requirements of 6.2.4.1.2.1 6.2.4.1.2.2 and 6.2.4.1.2.3 are met.

6.2.4.1.2.1 Quality system

Receptacle or fuel cell cartridge fillers and manufacturers shall have a quality system. The quality system shall implement procedures to ensure that all receptacles or fuel cell cartridges that leak or have gas weights not in conformance with the declared weight limits or exhibit distortion are rejected and not offered for transport.

The quality system shall include:

(a)    A description of the organisational structure and responsibilities;

(b)    The relevant inspection and test, quality control, quality assurance and process operation instructions that will be used;

(c)    Quality records such as inspection reports, test data, calibration data and certificates;

(d)    Management reviews to ensure the effective operation of the quality system;

(e)    A process for the control of documents and their revision

(f)     A means for the control of non-conforming gas cartridges or fuel cell cartridges

(g)    Training programmes and qualification procedures for the relevant personnel; and

(h)    Procedures to ensure there is no damage to the final product.

An initial audit and periodic audits shall be conducted to the satisfaction of the competent authority. These audits shall ensure the approved system is and remains adequate and efficient. Any proposed changes to the approved system shall be notified to the competent authority in advance.

6.2.4.1.2.2 Pressure Testing

Gas cartridges and fuel cells shall be designed to withstand, without leakage or bursting, a pressure of at least twice the equilibrium pressure of the contents at 55°C or the pressure developed at maximum temperature in service, whichever is greater. Every gas cartridge and fuel cell shall be subjected to this equilibrium pressure and all cartridges and fuel cells showing evidence of leakage at a rate equal to or greater than 3.3x10^-2 mbar.l.s^-1 or distortion or any other defect shall be rejected.

6.2.4.1.2.3 Filling and leak testing

________________

Prior to filling, the filler shall ensure that the closures (if any), and the associated sealing equipment are set appropriately and the specified gas is used. Each filled cartridge and fuel cell shall be checked for the correct weight of gas and shall be leak tested. Leakproofness shall be confirmed using leak detection equipment or by weighing before and after a specified period. The leak detection equipment shall be, at least, sensitive enough to detect a leak rate of at least 2.0x10^-3 mbar.l.s^-1. Any filled cartridge or fuel cell that shows evidence of leakage, deformation or incorrect weight of filling shall be rejected.

联合国危险货物运输专家和全球化学品统一分类和标签制度专家委员会

危险货物运输专家分委员会

第四十一次会议

日内瓦, 2012年6月25日 – 07月04日

议程第5（a）项

对规章范本的各种修正草案：包装

                对修订6.2.4部分，允许对含有气体的小型容器（蓄气筒）- UN 2037 - 和含液化易燃气体的燃料电池盒使用热水浴测试的替代方法的提案

                   由欧洲气瓶制造商协会（ECMA）提交[2]

               介绍

1.         尽管6.2.4.2段中批准对气溶胶喷罐使用热水浴测试的替代方法，但不允许“含有气体的小型容器（蓄气筒）或燃料电池盒”使用替代方法。

2.         制造气溶胶喷罐的厂商采用新的工艺，为提高生产效率需要选取替代经典热水浴测试的试验方法。因此，经FEA提出申请后，最先在联合国规章范本14修订版（2005）第6.2.4.2段中批准加入了替代热水浴测试的方法。替换方法的要求列在6.2.4.2.2，6.2.4.2.2.1，6.2.4.2.2.2和6.2.4.2.2.3段中。

3.         一些UN2037所用容器的制造厂商也需要使用新的方法来替代热水浴测试方法，原因基本上与所列出相关文件中所给出的一致。这些制造商生产的高压液化气填充盒，如填充10mL N₂O的奶油搅拌器；给客机上乘客的救生衣充气用填充22mLCO₂的气瓶；或者以约25万件/天的频率给军用救生衣充气用的填充了85mLCO₂的气瓶。某些情况下，试验压力是通过将烘箱加热到所需温度并恒温一段时间，通过称量加热前后试样的重量或者长时间储存后的重量来检查是否漏气来测试压力。通过液压使样品加压到爆破时的压力来确认爆破压力。

4.         以下对6.2.4.1段的修订提议是基于与6.2.4.2段中给出的对气溶胶喷罐相同的原则建立的。

               提议

5.         6.2.4.1段替换如下：

6.2.4.1       含有气体的小型容器（蓄气筒）与含液化易燃气体的燃料电池盒

         每个气体容器或燃料电池盒都应进行热水浴测试或经批准后的水浴替代方法测试。

6.2.4.1.1    热水浴测试

6.2.4.1.1.1 水浴温度和测试时间的确定应是：在55℃时内压达到其可达到的值（如果50℃时液相不超过容器容量或燃料电池盒容量的95%，则为50℃）。若内装物为热敏材料，或是容器、燃料电池盒是由此温度下会发生软化塑料制成的，则水浴温度应设置在20℃~30℃之间，但2000个容器或燃料电池盒中应有一个在高温下测试。

6.2.4.1.1.2 容器或燃料电池盒不能发生泄漏或永久变形，不过塑料容器或燃料电池盒可以因变软而变形，但不得泄露。

 

6.2.4.1.2    替代方法

替代方法具备同等安全水平并满足6.2.4.1.2.1、6.2.4.1.2.2和6.2.4.1.2.3的要求，经主管当局批准后可以使用。

6.2.4.1.2.1 质量体系

容器或燃料电池盒的充装商及其制造商应有一套质量体系。质量体系应执行程序来确保所有泄漏的、或是气体重量与声称的重量限制不一致、又或是外观变形的容器或燃料电池盒，全部不合格而不交付运输。

质量体系应包括：

(a)       关于组织结构和职责的描述；

(b)      所用到的相关的检查、测试、质量控制、质量保证和操作过程说明书；

(c)       质量记录（如检查报告、试验数据、校准数据和资质证书）；

(d)      管理评审，以确保质量体系的有效运作；

(e)       文件及其修订的控制程序；

(f)        对于不合格气体容器或是燃料电池盒的控制方法；

(g)      对相关人员的培训计划以及资格审查程序；和

(h)      确保最终产品没有损坏的程序。

按照主管部门的要求进行初次审核和定期审核。这些审核应确保所批准的体系充分并有效。任何针对已批准体系的修改都应提前通知主管部门。

6.2.4.1.2.2 压力测试

气体容器和燃料电池盒应设计为不泄漏、不爆炸，可承受55℃下内容物平衡压的两倍压力，或是在最高安全使用温度下的压力，以较大值为准。每一气体容器和燃料电池盒都应承受该平衡压力，并且所有容器和燃料电池盒如其泄漏率大于等于3.3×10^-2mbar.1.s^-1，或出现变形或有其他缺陷时都不合格。

6.2.4.1.2.3                充装及泄漏测试

在充装前，充装商应确保封口（如有），以及相关的密封设备设置到合适的状态，使用指定的气体。应核对经充装的容器和燃料电池准确的气体重量并做泄漏测试。应使用检漏设备确定其密封性，或在指定一段时间前后分别称重。检漏设备要有足够的灵敏度，至少能检测到泄漏率2.0×10^-3mbar.1.s^-1。任一充装过的容器或燃料电池盒如呈现泄漏、变形或充装重量错误时都不合格。