Fused CFD-interpolation model for real-time prediction of hazardous gas dispersion in emergency rescue

Accidental releases of hazardous gases in chemical industries can pose great threats to public security. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is commonly applied to predict gas dispersion in complex structured areas. It can provide good accuracy but it is too time-consuming to be used in emergency response. To reduce computation time while keep acceptable accuracy, this paper proposes several fused CFD-interpolation models which combine CFD model with different interpolation methods. Spline, linear and nearest interpolation methods are used. A CFD simulations database is created ahead of time which can be quickly recalled for emergency usage and unknown situations can be predicted instantly by interpolation methods instead of time-consuming CFD model. Fused models were applied to a case study involving a hypothetical propane release with varying conditions and validated against CFD model. The validation shows that prediction accuracy of these fusion models is acceptable. Among these models, CFD-Spline interpolation model performs best. It is faster than CFD model by a factor of 75 and is potentially a good method to be applied to real-time prediction.     

Real-time response system for the prediction of the atmospheric transport of hazardous materials

Human urge of exploiting earth resources has resulted into unprecedented industrial development in the last century resulting into production of large quantities of hazardous chemicals. Chemical, petrochemical, nuclear, biomedical and pharmaceutical industrial accidents release large quantities of hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere. The accidental discharge during production or storage or transportation have subjected the population to be exposed to exceptionally high concentration levels of hazardous chemicals, taking them by surprise, unprepared with fatal consequences. An emergency planning organization has to be trained to combat this situation in the shortest possible time to minimize the number of causalities. The present paper focuses on computation of dispersion model, using emission source, accident location and online metrological data near to the sources, to provide necessary and accurate results swiftly. The predicted ground level concentrations with the hazardous nature of the chemical, speed and direction of plume, the emergency team will be supplied with all the information in graphical easy to grasp form, superimposed over a GIS map or the latest satellite image of the area.

The emergency team has to be trained for all past scenarios and their preparedness, response and actions must be practiced regularly to be able to abate chemical releases accidentally or intentionally.

Accidental releases of chlorine and ammonia gases in residential and industrial areas are simulated. The predicted ground level concentrations in the effected areas are shown after different time intervals. For low vapor pressure chemical, the dispersion time is large and concentration levels are low but persist for prolonged time while for volatile chemical, the concentrations are high in short time and recovering to safe environment is quick.     

Quantification of inherent safety aspects of the Dow indices

The Dow fire and explosion index (F&EI) and chemical exposure index (CEI) have been successfully implemented in a Visual Basic environment as a tool for the inherent safety assessment of chemical processes. Subprograms were developed to quantify the inherent safety aspects of the Dow indices. These aspects are presented graphically with the indices on the vertical axis and an inherent safety indicator on the horizontal axis. Dow indices of the MIC storage unit involved in the Bhopal disaster were evaluated to quantify the effects of process temperature, pressure and inventory of hazardous materials on the index values.

As operating pressure was reduced, the F&EI decreased in accordance with the principles of inherent safety. The change in F&EI due to reduction of inventory was more significant than that resulting from pressure reduction. The results show that the F&EI change, given the same range of the independent variables (quantity of hazardous materials, operating temperature and pressure), is larger when a unit in the process area is evaluated compared to a unit in a storage area (tank farm). Reduction of the inventory of hazardous materials had no direct effect on the CEI for vapor releases, whereas the size of the hole diameter impacted the CEI to a great extent. However, there is a significant change in the CEI as the inventory of materials decreases for liquid releases involving temperatures above their flash and boiling points. Pressure reduction decreases the CEI, whereas temperature reduction leads to an increase in the CEI when these parameters are treated independently.     

应急撤离建模研究的现状、问题与发展趋势

分析以往的突发事件应急撤离决策过多依赖决策者主观判断的问题,提出通过构建应急撤离模型为决策者提供更客观的辅助决策信息,并阐述了应急撤离建模过程涉及的主要要素。通过对3种主要应急撤离建模方法——宏观、微观和中观的撤离建模过程的详细介绍和分析,综观了当前应急撤离建模的研究现状。在该基础上,研讨每种建模方法的特点、适用范围以及存在的主要问题,并针对这些问题,给出可能的解决方法和未来的发展方向。归纳应急撤离建模研究的成果,提出在实际应急撤离建模工作中应注意的问题。     

突发性大气污染事件数字化动态应急预案系统及其应用

针对近些年频繁发生的突发性大气污染事件,构建了数字化动态应急预案系统。该系统由基础信息数据库、气象环境模式与健康风险评估系统、数字化动态应急预案三部分组成,并利用地理信息系统将三者有机结合,将事故基本信息、事故发展预测及救援状况直观、动态地展现在系统界面,使应急行动得以及时、高效地展开。实地外场综合应急演习证明,该系统技术路线稳定畅通,运行高效,功能强大,具有较好的可行性和实效性。     

Advanced multi-perspective computer simulation as a tool for reliable consequence analysis

Major accidents involving hazardous materials are a crucial issue for the chemical and process industries. Many accidental events taken place in the past showed that dangerous substances may pose a severe threat for people and property. Aiming at loss prevention, a series of actions have been instituted through international regulations concerning hazardous installations safety preparedness. These actions involve efficient land-use planning, safety studies execution, as well as emergency response planning drawing up. A key factor for the substantial consideration of the above is the effective prediction of possible accident forms and their consequences, for the estimation of which, a number of empirical models have been developed so far. However, (semi-)empirical models present certain deficiencies and obey to certain assumptions, thus leading to results of reduced accuracy. Another approach that could be used for this purpose and it is discussed in this work, is the utilization of advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques in certain accident forms modeling. In particular, composite CFD-based models were developed for the simulation of several characteristic accident forms involving isothermal and non-isothermal heavy gas dispersion, confined and unconfined explosion in environment of complex geometry, as well as flammable cloud fire. The simulation cases were referred to real-scale trials allowing us to conclude about the validity of the quantitative results. Comparisons of the computational predictions with the experimental observations showed that obtained results were in good agreement with the experimental ones, whereas the evaluation of statistical performance measures proved the simulations to be statistically valid.     

Quantitative risk assessment model of hazardous chemicals leakage and application

The hazardous chemical accidents remain a matter of major concern. However, there is a dearth of practical measures about the emergency management of hazardous chemicals leakage. Therefore, in order to provide more accurate management plan, quantitative risk assessment has become a critical issue in chemical industry. The main aim of this study is to quantify the risk of hazardous chemicals leakage, and take precautions against the accidents. In this study, a Fire-Explosion-Poisoning Quantitative Probability Model (FEPQPM) has been established. The paper introduced the probability analysis methods to analyze derivative accidents caused by hazardous chemicals leakage, established quantitative risk assessment models, and made acceptable risk level analysis. This model has been applied to quantitatively assess an enterprise’s storage tank at Changshou Chemical Industrial Distripark (CID) in Chongqing, China. Evaluation results are in line with the actual situation of the CID. It is shown that the probability of poisoning is very large, causing more economic loss than the other two types of accidents, and death toll of leakage accident increases over time, resulting in greater economic losses. The risk level of leakage accident involving poisoning is unacceptable.     

State of research on the automation of HAZOP studies

For more than 30 years, multiple research groups have worked on the automation of hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies, or more specifically on the hazard identification process. So far, very few of these approaches have been used in the chemical process industry. Automatic hazard identification is a knowledge-intensive process that demands high standards with regard to the way in which knowledge is stored and made available. There are various suitable approaches to the qualitative modeling of processes and plants, which are the foundation for reasoning systems that are used for the identification of hazards. Additionally, there are quantitative methods that are based on process simulations and can be used to identify potential hazards. The investigation of the state of research demonstrates that there are sophisticated technologies for automated systems that include powerful reasoning techniques. The benefits and shortcomings of existing technologies are discussed with regard to their industrial applicability. Often, the quality of the necessary specific and generic knowledge is not sufficient to detect potential hazardous events and operational malfunctions. Computer-aided HAZOP systems should be integrated with computer-aided design- or process simulation software using common data models based on the digital representation of the process plant. In order to be used by HAZOP practitioners automated systems need to be comprehensive, serve as specialized decision support systems, and be tested and evaluated using round robin tests.     

A CFD-based empirical model for hazardous area extent prediction including wind effects

Hazardous extent predictions that ensure process safety while avoiding overestimation have been a challenge for hazardous area classification. Specific leak scenarios can be addressed to build rapid empirical models to accurately determine hazardous extent considering several factors that are not included in general approaches. In view of that, this work aims to propose a novel CFD-based empirical model for gas emissions in open and unobstructed areas. It considers a wide range of variables such as storage temperature and pressure, orifice diameter, molecular weight, gas concentration, and wind velocity. A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate each variable's contribution to the gas cloud extent. The linear regression model resulting from the combination of all variables contribution was coupled with Ewan and Moddie's model to minimize the prediction errors due to the non-monotonic wind effects. The suggested algorithm accurately calculates the hazardous extent with a coefficient of determination equals to 0.9842 and a RMSE of 0.0151 for a dataset of 600 cases of generic gases release. The proposed model was also validated for 60 cases of hydrogen releases under different storage conditions, giving a coefficient of determination equal to 0.9829 and a RMSE of 0.0680, indicating a good agreement with the data.     

危险气体泄漏扩散的实验方法研究

综述了研究危险气体事故泄漏扩散的3种实验方法,即全规模大型现场实验、实验室模拟和小型现场实验,详细讨论该3种试验方法在实施和应用中的优缺点。对小型现场实验的无量纲长度、速度、时间、大气稳定度、大气湍流、液滴的尺寸分布和沉降、源动量通量比例等重要参数的确定方法重点进行分析和阐述。小型试验法特别适用于模拟化学性质活泼的危险气体的泄漏扩散研究,可为安全评价、应急救援提供有价值的参考数据。     

Are dispersion models suitable for simulating small gaseous chlorine releases?

Dispersion models are mostly validated on the basis of historical dispersion experiments. The latter imply large quantities of hazardous products (flammable or toxic gases), and are dedicated to study the dispersion of the resulting clouds on great distances from the source to reach a better knowledge of the different phases of gas dispersion (slumping, creeping, passive dispersion…).However, dispersion models have hardly been validated on small releases and therefore require more validation on small plumes of dangerous gases. Indeed, what is their reliability in case of accidents involving small amounts (e.g., chlorine leakages at swimming pools’ installations), and for small distances downwind the gas source? This information is of prime interest in so far as small releases are more likely to occur than larger ones.This paper reports on chlorine small-scale dispersion experiments and deals with the comparison between experimental data of ground level concentrations in the plume and predicted concentrations obtained from several dispersion models.     

危化品突发泄漏事故应急检测标准化作业研究

介绍了危化品突发泄漏事故应急检测方法,包括试纸法、气体速测管法和便携式分析仪器测定法。对硫化氢、氨、苯、可燃气4种典型有害物质的应急检测方法与标准检测方法进行了实验比对,结果表明其应急检测方法能够满足应急检测工作的要求。编写了危化品突发泄漏事故应急检测标准化作业文件集和《危化品突发泄漏事故应急检测作业指南》。文件集的建立能够规范应急检测工作流程、保证应急检测工作质量、提高工作效率。《危化品突发泄漏事件应急检测作业指南》,能够保证事故现场应急检测工作高效有序开展,为应急救援人员提供必要安全保障,为事故原因调查和分析提供充分可靠的数据依据。     

社会化危化品应急救援队伍建设和服务模式探索

当前我国危化品行业事故频发,特别是危险源高度聚集的化工园区,风险因素的复杂性和事故后果的不确定性要求更高标准的应急救援力量为园区提供保障。提出了“企办政助”的社会化应急救援队伍建设模式,以大亚湾石化应急管理公司为实践主体,对危化品应急救援队伍建设机制和装备配备分析阐述,并对有偿性应急救援服务的开展进行了探索,初步形成了危化品“队伍培训-应急救援-有偿服务”的业务模式,为各级安全监管部门制定应急相关政策和标准提供了实践支持,亦对其他危化品应急救援队伍建设和培训有一定的借鉴参考价值。     

Operational risk assessment: A case of the Bhopal disaster

Accidental releases of hazardous chemicals from process facilities can cause catastrophic consequences. The Bhopal disaster resulting from a combination of inherently unsafe designs and poorly managed operations is a well-known case. Effective risk modeling approaches that provide early warnings are helpful to prevent and control such rare but catastrophic events. Probability estimation of these events is a constant challenge due to the scarcity of directly relevant data. Therefore, precursor-based methods that adopt the Bayesian theorem to update prior judgments on event probabilities using empirical data have been proposed. The updated probabilities are then integrated with consequences of varying severity to produce the risk profile.This paper proposes an operational risk assessment framework, in which a precursor-based Bayesian network approach is used for probability estimation, and loss functions are applied for consequence assessment. The estimated risk profile can be updated continuously given real-time operational data. As process facilities operate, this method integrates a failure-updating mechanism with potential consequences to generate a real-time operational risk profile. The real time risk profile is valuable in activating accident prevention and control strategies. The approach is applied to the Bhopal accident to demonstrate its applicability and effectiveness.     

Applications of resilience engineering principles in different fields with a focus on industrial systems: A literature review

This paper reviews literature that addresses applications of resilience engineering principles to various fields. Recently the concept has attracted great attention from a technical and industrial perspective. The primary focus of this paper is to review the resilience engineering applications to industrial systems with the purpose of applying them to the chemical industry. A systematic review is performed to classify peer-reviewed journal papers that are associated with resilience engineering applications into three categories: industrial systems, ecological systems, and interlinked systems. The literature in the category of industrial systems is further divided based on the type of approaches such as field studies, case studies, methodologies, and mathematical modeling. After thoroughly analyzing the literature, four key research areas are identified: Considering socio-technical factors for resilience assessment efficiently; Inculcating the possibility of multiple disasters in resilience assessment; Design optimization for resilience enhancement; Efficient restoration strategies. All these research areas have not been explored exclusively for chemical facilities to a great extent. It is concluded that if these research areas are addressed appropriately, it would help in triggering the research pertaining to the application of resilience engineering principles in chemical facilities.     

Worst-case identification of gas dispersion for gas detector mapping using dispersion modeling

To quickly and accurately quantify the material release in process units, gas detectors may be placed according to the results of gas dispersion modeling. DNV's PHAST software is one of the most useful and reliable tools for material dispersion modeling. In this software, fluid dispersion is modeled based on the process conditions, the weather conditions and the specifications of the material release point. However, varying weather conditions throughout the year and the exact determination of the release point on the plot plan and the release elevation are problematic; these issues cause the results to be non-exact and non-integrated. Choosing the most appropriate conditions is challenging. In this paper, a scheme was provided to select the most appropriate conditions for gas dispersion modeling. This scheme approaches modeling based on the worst-case scenario (the situation in which the dispersed gas reaches the detector later in comparison to the other cases). Therefore, different weather conditions, release elevations and release points on the plot plan were modeled for an absorber tower of the Gonbadli Dehydration Unit of the Khangiran Refinery. The worst case of each release condition was then chosen. Finally, gas detectors were placed using the gas dispersion modeling results based on the worst-case scenario.     

Perceptions of industrial risk and emergency management procedures in Hazmat Logistics: A qualitative mental model approach

In the industrial risk field, Hazmat Logistics research is growing as a sector of special relevance. The road transport of these substances is an activity with an elevated risk, involving drivers, logistics systems, industries, infrastructures, urban areas, etc.In the study of risk and safety of the logistics of hazardous materials there is a special relevance for new and complex elements, as human factors and mental models involved in managing critical incidents ‘‘on the road”. Moreover, the ‘‘emergency management training” of human resources in this field is often limited, and this represents another factor of vulnerability.In collaboration with SBG (one of the leading European Hazmat Logistics corporations), we developed a quali-quantitative study on cognitive representations and semantic perceptions of risk and emergency management procedures in tanker drivers. The main innovation of the study, with the direct involvement of the stakeholder and 47 drivers, is represented by the construction and use of ‘‘ad hoc” psychometrical and knowledge-elicitation, allowing a deeper analysis of workers’ mental models.The application of PCP tools of adapted RepGrid and Landfield Laddering Procedures allows to analyze some of the main qualitative structures of mental models held by drivers about Hazmat Logistics. Through the analysis of these mental models, it could become possible to set up efficient preventive actions for this type of industrial risk. We are going to discuss the consequences of these findings and methodological approaches for the industrial risk-and-safety field.     

A new approach for facility siting using mapping risks on a plant grid area and optimization

The present work is focused on developing a methodology to find the optimal placement of a hazardous process unit and other facilities using optimization theory while considering a risk map in the plant area. Incidents can have possible consequences resulting from flammable gas releases, which can be evaluated by using consequence modeling programs. The probability of each incident can be derived from initial leak hole size estimation through event tree analysis. In this methodology the plant area was divided into square grids and risk scores were estimated for each grid. The overall cost is a function of the probable cost of property damage due to fires or explosions and the interconnection cost including piping, cable, and management. The proposed approach uses a mixed integer linear optimization programming (MILP) that identifies attractive locations by minimizing the overall cost. A case study is presented for a hexane–heptane separation facility that considers the meteorological data for the given area in order to show the applicability of the proposed methodology. Results from this study will be useful in assisting the selection of locations for facilities and for risk management.     

HGSYSTEM: a review, critique, and comparison with other models

HGSYSTEM is a package of computer models for modeling release and atmospheric dispersion of hazardous substances, which has capabilities that may not be found together elsewhere (e.g., hydrogen fluoride/air/water thermodynamics, aerosol release, release and dispersion of mixtures, multi-component evaporation, downward vertical jets, plume lift-off, deposition, and street-canyon). There are, however, some shortcomings in its spill models and in the transition from a spill to a dispersion model. The model's strong and weak points and limited comparisons with ALOHA and DEGADIS are discussed herein.     

粒子群优化算法在源强反算问题中的应用研究

在危险化学品泄漏事故中泄漏源强是预测事故后果的主要影响参数,也是事故应急救援决策的基础。为了在化学品泄漏事故过程中快速准确地获取泄漏源强数据,将粒子群优化(PSO)算法应用于危险化学品泄漏源强的反算中。利用高斯烟羽扩散模型和下风向浓度测量数据,将计算浓度与测量浓度的误差平方和作为目标函数,采用粒子群算法来优化,以确定源强并通过模拟的测量浓度数据进行算法有效性验证。结果表明,PSO算法及其参数改进算法不依赖于初值的选择,计算速度快,能满足事故应急响应救援的需要。