1.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)

a. Tank
1) Always wear gloves when connecting or disconnecting the gas line to a
propane tank.
Note: Liquefied propane is extremely cold and frostbite may occur if it
comes in contact with your skin.
2) Before disconnecting the gas line to a propane tank: a) shut off
equipment, engine etc., then b) close the service valve. Use slight hand
pressure only; never over tighten as it may damage the valve.
3) Disconnect the gas line from the tank by turning the fitting counter -
clockwise.
Note: Hand pressure is all that you should require when undoing the
fitting
4) Release the tank retaining straps and swing straps away from tank.
5) Handle the propane tank with care and respect. Do not let it drop, or
allow something to fall on or strike against it. Use a two wheeled hand
cart to move tank to the designated storage immediately. Never leave
tank sitting in the shop unattended.
6) Place empty propane tank into the designated storage cart upside down.
Note: Full tanks are upright in the cart.
 7) Pick up a full tank and use the two wheeled hand cart to move it back to
the unit.
8) Place tank in the tank cradle of the unit making sure the mounting
dowels in the holder are engaged in the receiving holes of the tank.
Note: Tank must sit in the 12 O’clock position. See drawing on next
page.
9) Secure the tank to the unit with the tank retaining straps. Make sure that
they are working properly. Adjust as required.
10) Connect the gas line to the tank by lining up the gas line fitting with the
service valve outlet and turning clockwise. Hand tighten only. Do not
use pliers, wrenches, etc. as this will damage the “O” ring.
11) After having connected the gas line to the tank, slowly turn the service
valve to the “fully on” position. Check for a leak by listening for
escaping gas or you may notice a “sour smell”.
12) If there is a leak, close the service valve immediately and check
connection. If connection is O.K then try another tank. Attach a “Repair
Tag” to the faulty tank and set it ‘right side up’ inside the protective
railing which is around the bulk propane tank. Security will look after
it from there. If the second tank also has a leak, contact “Vehicle
Maintenance” for repair to the units’, (forklift, etc.), gas line fitting.
13) If equipment will not be used for a certain length of time, (e.g.: over a
weekend, over night etc.) close the service valve of the tank.

b. Pumps
Use the following procedure for replacing the oil for this type of pump:
1) Remove old oil by unplugging the pump, placing a catch reservoir at
the oil drain outlet, disconnecting vacuum inlet and exhausts, and
opening the drain valve to allow old oil to flow out. This sequence
should be done while pump (and oil) is warm. To ensure most of the
oil has been removed tilt the back end of the pump upward till all oil
has drained out or conduct the draining process with the back end
propped upward.
2) Take note of the color and texture of the oil. Ideally the oil should be
light yellow in hue and viscous. If it is highly colored and watery (or
 biphasic) this indicates contamination due to oil degradation. If solid
particulate is present this could indicate pump degradation in which case
pump repair should be considered and close attention should be given
to pump maintenance and usage for future use.
3) When all oil is drained, the pump should be placed in a level position,
the drain valve should be closed, flushing oil should be added through
the exhaust port until the max oil level is achieved, vacuum inlet should
be capped with a stopper and exhaust should be covered with a kimwipe
and rubber band, gas ballast (if present on pump) should be in open
position, and pump should be powered on. Run times with flushing oil
should be between 20-30 minutes.
4) The drain process detailed above should be repeated after the flush oil
process.
5) Flush oil filling and draining should be repeated until old flush oil
comes out of the pump as light, viscous oil free of sediment (typically
2-3 times).
6) When regular flushing is complete, close the gas ballast, and drain the
flush oil as per the process detailed above.
7) Leave the oil drain open and run about 1 cup of flush oil through the
pump with the pump powered on.
8) Repeat this process once more with flushing oil and twice with regular
vacuum oil.
9) Afterwards, close the oil drain valve, and refill the pump with regular
vacuum oil as per the refill process, hook the vacuum inlet to the
appropriate tubes, ensure that the exhaust is properly hooked up either
to an exhaust line or oil mister, and power the pump on for use.

c. Cooler
1) Determine the depth of any and all liquid, solid, and liquid/solid
interface, and depth of sludge using a weighted tape measure, probe line,
sludge judge, or equivalent.
2) Collect liquid samples from one (1) foot below the surface, from mid-
depth of liquid, and from one (1) foot above the bottom sludge layer.
This can be accomplished with a subsurface grab sampler or bacon
 bomb. For liquids less than five (5) feet in depth, use a glass thief or
COLIWASA to collect the sample. If sampling storage tanks, vacuum
trucks, or process vessels, collect at least one sample from each
compartment in the tank. Samples should always be collected through
an opened hatch at the top of the tank. Valves near the bottom should
not be used, because of their questionable or unknown integrity. If such
a valve cannot be closed once opened, the entire tank contents may be
lost to the ground surface. Also, individual strata cannot be sampled
separately through a valve near the bottom.
3) Compare the three samples for visual phase differences. If phase
differences appear, systematic iterative sampling should be performed.
By halving the distance between two discrete sampling points, one can
determine the depth of the phase change.
4) If another sampling port is available, sample as above to verify the phase
information.
5) Measure the inside diameter of the tank and determine the volume of
wastes using the depth measurements (Appendix A). Measuring the
external diameter may be misleading as some tanks are insulated or have
external supports that are covered.
6) Sludges can be collected using a bacon bomb sampler, glass thief, or
sludge judge.
7) Record all information on the sample data sheet or site logbook. Label
the container with the appropriate sample tag.
8) Decontaminate sampling equipment as per ERT/SERAS SOP #2006,
Sampling Equipment Decontamination.

d. Evaporator
It is essential that you know the risks of the chemicals you are working with
*before* you begin hands- on work.
1) Consult SDS for potential hazards of the chemicals used
2) Know the location and use of fire extinguishers, fire blankets, spill kits
and fire exits.
3) Know the emergency evacuation signals and procedure.
4) If you are inexperienced with this procedure consult notes in lab manual
and obtain instruction from experienced laboratory personal before
starting. Do not attempt this procedure without training.
5) Open the vacuum release valve at the top of the condenser chamber
(grease if necessary). Ensure collection flasks are properly attached and
clamped in place. Ensure adaptor tube is properly inserted through the
motor opening leading to the condenser (glassware should be clean and
free of damage). Make sure the water level of the water bath is over the
minimum water level mark or at least ¾ full. Turn on the water bath to
the desired temperature. Ensure the rotation speed dial is set to zero.
6) Attach the round bottom flask containing your sample to the spindle, use
a keck clip to clamp adaptors and flask in place. The flask must be less
than ½ full. Turn on the cooling water tap to a low flow. Turn on the
vacuum source and close the vacuum release valve
7) Turn on the motor switch and increase the rotation speed dial. Start off
slowly and gradually increase to an appropriate speed. The solution
inside your flask should be swirling smoothly not bouncing around
turbulently.
8) The solution in the flask may start to bubble vigorously. Adjust the
vacuum strength as required using the vacuum release valve. You do not
want the solution to bubble (bump) out of the flask and up into the
rotating unit or condenser.
9) When the bubbling in the solution has stabilised or subsided, indicating
that the pressure has equilibrated, the outside of the flask will become
cold and you can lower the rotating flask into the water bath to evaporate
the solvent. Make sure the flask is not touching the water bath element
or base of basin.
10) You should not leave the rotary evaporator unattended until the pressure
has equilibrated inside the flask. If you intend to leave the rotary
evaporator unattended for some period, leave a note with your name,
contact number and details of the solvent/s in use.
11) Once the liquid volume inside the flask has reduced to the required level,
raise flask out of water bath, stop the rotation whilst placing your hand
underneath the flask. Open the vacuum release valve to release the
 vacuum and turn off the vacuum source. Once the whistling sound has
stopped, unclamp and remove your flask carefully using a twisting
motion to loosen joints (not push-pull force).
12) Remove waste flask and dispose of waste solvent in the appropriate
waste container – typically halogenated or non-halogenated waste.
13) Turn off cooling water.
14) Ensure speed dial is to zero and turn off motor switch the rotary
evaporator.
15) If finished for the day turn off water bath and power points, and leave
the rotary evaporator and work area in a safe, clean and tidy state

e. Heater
During this phase of the project, the following operational steps must be
followed
1) Since the line heater is a trailer mounted piece of equipment, it must be
delivered to the jobsite by an appropriately sized truck operated by a
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holder.
2) Prior to departing the Rockwater facility, all operating pieces of the line
heater must be inspected.
3) The CDL driver will then conduct the Daily Vehicle Inspection Report
(DVIR) on the truck and the trailer. Upon the successful completion of
the DVIR, the equipment will then be delivered to the jobsite.
The line heater should never be transported while containing fluids; the
driver must inspect the unit and ensure that it is empty prior to leaving
the Rockwater facility.
4) Upon arrival at the jobsite, the line heater should be staged at its
designated location. The line heater should be in line at least 75 feet
away from the main diffuser tank (where flow of well will commence)
and at least 75 feet away from any ignition source.
5) Once staged, the line heater trailer should be secured with wheel chocks.
6) Fill line heater vessel with fresh water or glycol (as required by
operating company) to a maximum of 12” from the top of the vessel.
It is imperative that the line heater coils are completely covered with
fluid.
 7) The line heater should then be connected to the mainstream line with
high pressure hammer union piping and a manifold valve system (as
needed).

f. Belt Conveyor
1) The pipe conveyor must not be started until the downstream circuits are
prepared to accept feed.
2) Pipe conveyor auxiliary equipment must be running before starting the
conveyor, if any (ex.
magnetic separator, etc.)
3) Whenever equipment is to be started, the operator must ensure that the
equipment is ready
and no personnel working in the area are too close to the equipment.
4) Ensure emergency stop switches working and clearly marked
5) Ensure Pull cards are fitted and other safety devices are working
correctly
6) Check the warning siren working condition
7) Ensure fire fighting devices in place ready for use.
8) Check the lights are working and clean.
9) Sufficient numbers of Warning siren / Hooter alarm shall be provided.
The alarm voice shall be audible to entire conveyor corridor.

g. Mixer
1) Select a firm and level working area and protect surrounding surfaces •
Ensure that the area does not contain any hazards may impact on mixer
operation
2) Electric mixer – ensure unit is protected by a residual current device
prior to starting
3) Petrol mixer – turn on fuel, close choke, pull rope using smooth action.
4) Once started, open choke and allow to warm up
2. HAZARD AND OPERABILITY (HAZOP)
a. Evaporator
1) Chemical exposure & burns - Consult SDS for potential hazards of the
specific chemicals & solvents used.
2) Cuts from damaged glassware or inappropriate glassware – twisting
motions are used to attach, loosen and remove glass vessels instead of
push-pull force. Do not use glassware with sharp edges or protruding
hooks.
3) Catastrophic flask rupture. Damaged glassware can break under vacuum
or rotation and may cause eye injury, cuts to skin and exposure to
hazardous chemicals. Round bottom flasks are the strongest to use under
vacuum conditions. Do not use damaged glassware.
4) Electrocution. Ensure correct cords and electrical parts are in good
condition. Ensure water does not fall on points of contact for electricity
as a result of leaking hoses or spilt water from replenishing the water
bath.
5) Entanglement in rotating parts – all hair, and other loose items of
clothing or jewellery should be secured/out of the way before
commencing.
6) Noxious fumes or flammable vapour- Ensure vacuum pump outlet is
vented out the window or into a fume hood and away from ignition
sources. Ensure water cooling is functioning correctly. When dealing
with extremely toxic or noxious vapours, evaporator should be set up in
fume hood and/or vacuum outlets should have addition traps.
7) FIRE risk- Ensure that you know where the nearest fire extinguisher and
safety shower are.
8) Waste- Ensure solvent collection flasks are regularly emptied into
correct waste. Make sure evaporated solvents are compatible.

b. Pumps
1) Oil on floor can pose a slip hazard; keep area clean while doing oil
changes by having drip trays, secondary containers, and drip pads.
2) Oil can be ejected onto you if drain and refill processes are not properly
done. In some cases oil can be hot and/or contaminated.
 3) Pumps provide vacuum so care should be taken to keep dangling objects
clear of the vacuum inlet and/or moving parts. This includes long hair,
shirt and pant sleeves, jewelry, etc.
4) Pumps provide vacuum so parts subjected to this vacuum can be prone
to implosion. Systems under vacuum should be operated in hoods with
sashes opened when necessary.

c. Heater
Any time that flowback operations are in progress, the following potential
hazards must be considered and mitigated:
1) Latent natural gas
2) Wind direction
3) Ignition sources within 100 feet of the wellhead and/or frac tanks
4) Pressure
5) Line of fire/body placement/grease valve placement
6) Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
7) Stored energy
8) Overhead work or suspended loads

d. Mixer
1) Catch hazards
2) Flammable fuel
3) Electric shock
4) Manual handling hazards
5) Exhaust fumes
6) Skin (membrane) irritation from cement or additives