A new simple methodology for evaluation of explosion risk in underground coal mines

The key objective of this paper is the presentation of a new risk assessment tool for underground coal mines based on a simplified semi-quantitative estimation and assessment method.In order to determine the risk of explosion of any work process or activity in underground coal mines it is necessary to assess the risk. The proposed method is based on a Risk Index obtained as a product of three factors: frequency of each individual scenario P_ucm, associated severity consequences C_ucm and exposure time to explosive atmospheres E_ucm. The influence of exposure time is usually not taken into account up to now. Moreover, the exposure to explosive atmospheres may affect factors of hazardous event probability as much as its consequences. There are many definitions of exposure to explosive atmospheres but in the case of underground coal mines the exposure is defined as frequency risk of firedamp and coal dust. The risk estimation and risk assessment are based on the developed of a risk matrix.The proposed methodology allows not only the estimation of the explosion risk but also gives an approach to decide if the proposal investment is well-justified or not in order to improve safety.     

Risk assessment of a compound feed process based on HAZOP analysis and linguistic terms

The size and complexity of industrial plants, along with the characteristics of the products used, require a study, analysis and control of the existing risks in every industrial process.In this paper, a methodology for risk assessment in industrial plants, based on the combination of risks identification through the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) analysis and the risks evaluation through linguistic variables and fuzzy numbers is applied to a case study consisting on a compound feed plant located in the town of Silla (Valencia, Spain).The results from this study show that the main risk in the compound feed production process is the formation of explosive atmospheres (ATEX). Therefore, the corrective measures will focus on reducing the concentration of dust in the atmosphere and eliminating the possible sources of ignition, such as electrostatic discharges or sparks during the different phases of the process (the grinding, the transport of the raw materials, etc.)     

基于改进云模型-IAHP的涉爆粉尘企业安全风险评估

为了评估涉爆粉尘企业安全风险，克服传统评估过程中数据随机性和模糊性的缺陷，建立了基于云理论和区间层次分析法(IAHP)的涉爆粉尘企业安全风险评估模型。针对粉尘爆炸事故的特点构建涉爆粉尘企业安全风险指标体系，使用云理论为主客观指标赋值，采用IAHP确定各指标权重并引入可能度修正权重结果，基于改进的云合并算法整合计算结果，以综合评估企业粉尘爆炸风险，并将该模型应用于某金属加工企业。研究结果表明:该企业的粉尘爆炸风险处于一般水平，其工人安全意识薄弱、防尘及防爆措施不完善、生产布局和管理不规范等原因导致了该企业的风险，该模型评估结果与实际情况相符，为提高企业安全管理水平提供依据。     

Occupational risk assessment in construction industry – Overview and reflection

The construction industry is plagued by occupational risky situations and poor working conditions. Occupational risk assessment (ORA) on workplace sites is the first and key step to achieve adequate safety levels, particularly to support decision-making in safety programs. Most construction safety efforts are applied informally under the premise that simply allocating more resources to safety management will improve safety on site. Moreover, there are many traditional methods to address ORA, but few have been adapted and validated for use in the construction industry, particularly in the design stage, for which traditional approaches do not give adequate answers. This paper presents a state-of-the-art on ORA traditional methods, for the construction industry, discussing their limitations and pointing advantages of using fuzzy sets approaches to deal with ill-defined situations.     

Explosive properties of selected aerosols determined in a spherical 5-L test chamber

Combustible liquids in the form of aerosols are important for many industrial processes. Therefore the problem of explosion hazards posed by the aerosols becomes increasingly more prominent. To correctly assess the explosion risk and fulfil the requirements of the ATEX directive, it is necessary to obtain information regarding the flammable and explosive properties of the aerosols. Unlike in the case of gases and dusts, no standard procedures aimed at obtaining quantitative information of this type exist. Factors that influence the explosion dynamics of aerosols include: concentration, droplet size, temperature etc. Some of these factors are strongly dependent on the aerosol generation methods. A prototype apparatus was designed and constructed to address that dependence. The apparatus was used in an attempt to determine the basic explosion parameters of liquid flammable aerosols. The device consisted of a 5-L spherical vessel equipped with a pump-injection system that generated aerosols as well as a spark ignition source. A wide variety of injection settings were tested to select the most suitable conditions over a broad range of concentrations and fluid properties. A measurement procedure was developed for operating the device. Prototype tests were carried out with fluids commonly used in industry: isopropanol and kerosene. The tests demonstrated the significant influence of the vessel wall temperature on the result accuracy. Correct temperature control made it possible to obtain relationships between the aerosol concentration and the following explosion parameters: maximum explosion pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise.     

Effects of significant damage of flame gap surfaces in flameproof electrical apparatus on flame gap efficiency

Electrical apparatus for use in the presence of explosive gas atmospheres has to be specially designed to prevent the apparatus from igniting the gas. Flameproof design is one of several options, and one requirement is then that any holes and slits in the enclosure wall be designed to prevent a possible gas explosion inside the enclosure from being transmitted to an explosive gas cloud outside it. Current standards (IEC) require that joint surfaces have a surface roughness of <6.3 μm. Any damaged joint surface has be restored to this quality. The present investigation has demonstrated that flame gap surfaces in flameproof electrical apparatuses can suffer considerable mechanical and corrosive damage before the flame gaps no longer function satisfactorily. In some cases very significant mechanical surface damage in fact improves the gap performance. This indicates that current high costs of repairing and replacing flameproof electrical apparatus in process plants offshore and onshore can be reduced considerably without any increase of the explosion risk.     

基于模糊保护层的池火灾事故风险分析

为计算引发池火灾事故的风险值,提高事故风险的量化水平,判断现有风险控制措施是否满足风险容忍度的要求,为制定减缓风险措施提供依据,给出了新的池火灾风险评估模型。基于传统的保护层分析模型(LOPA),结合模糊集合理论,引入模糊风险矩阵进行风险评估,构建适用于引发池火灾事故的模糊保护层(fL OPA)风险分析模型。该模型的特点是将模糊逻辑和保护层分析结合,减少了传统保护层分析方法计算过程中的不确定性因素,引入严重度减少指数(SRI)概念,使严重度计算、风险评估更加准确。运用该模型对原油储罐泄漏池火灾事故风险进行分析,给出风险决策方案,判断现有保护措施是否能控制风险在可容忍范围内,实例验证了模型的可行性。     

Development of a method for predicting the ignition of explosive atmospheres by mechanical friction and impacts (MECHEX)

Mechanical friction and impacts is still today a main cause of ignition of explosive atmospheres (ATEX) in the industry and this trend seems to be stable in time. This situation certainly results from a significant gap of knowledge in the underlying mechanisms so that the parameters to play on are not precisely identified. In this programme of European dimensions, the process of degradation of the mechanical energy into heat during friction and impacts have been studied.

An extensive experimental programme is presented to this end. The mechanisms of dissipation of the mechanical energy into heat during friction has been studied with rubbing machines in which a slider equipped with temperature sensors rubs against a rotating wheel. For impacts, a new device has been developed using a special “air driven cannon” to propel a projectile accurately up to 50 m/s onto an inclined target. A very significant effort has been reserved to the investigation of the ignition mechanisms, not only for ATEX but also for dust accumulations.

Some “simple” modelling is proposed on purpose of practical applications. For frictional situations, a critical rubbing power is calculated without any limitations about any lower boundary concerning the rubbing velocity. For “impacts”, the relevant parameter for ignition is not the kinetic energy of the projectile but its velocity and the nature of the materials.     

油气储运设施事故风险指数模糊逻辑评估方法

油气储运设施风险是其事故发生概率和事故后果的综合度量,而事故概率和后果的定量评估结果往往是具有不确定性的数据,以确定性风险评估准则为基础的传统风险矩阵法和风险值法显然难以评估油气储运设施风险。为此提出开展油气储运设施事故风险的模糊逻辑推理法,首先,对风险矩阵的概率语言等级和损失语言等级的边界进行定量划分;然后,建立油气储运设施风险矩阵模糊集和模糊逻辑推理规则;最后,通过风险模糊推理运算和模糊风险解模糊化以确定油气储运设施的风险水平。实例应用与分析表明,利用推荐方法可得到较为详尽的风险数据信息,不但风险指数更加清晰,而且其所属风险等级类别也更加明确,评估结果能更好地指导油气储运设施的风险管理。     

Does your facility have a dust problem: Methods for evaluating dust explosion hazards

The hazards of dust explosions prevailing in plants are dependent on a large variety of factors that include process parameters, such as pressure, temperature and flow characteristics, as well as equipment properties, such as geometry layout, the presence of moving elements, dust explosion characteristics and mitigating measures. A good dust explosion risk assessment is a thorough method involving the identification of all hazards, their probability of occurrence and the severity of potential consequences. The consequences of dust explosions are described as consequences for personnel and equipment, taking into account consequences of both primary and secondary events.While certain standards cover all the basic elements of explosion prevention and protection, systematic risk assessments and area classifications are obligatory in Europe, as required by EU ATEX and Seveso II directives. In the United States, NFPA 654 requires that the design of the fire and explosion safety provisions shall be based on a process hazard analysis of the facility, process, and the associated fire or explosion hazards. In this paper, we will demonstrate how applying such techniques as SCRAM (short-cut risk analysis method) can help identify potentially hazardous conditions and provide valuable assistance in reducing high-risk areas. The likelihood of a dust explosion is based on the ignition probability and the probability of flammable dust clouds arising. While all possible ignition sources are reviewed, the most important ones include open flames, mechanical sparks, hot surfaces, electric equipment, smoldering combustion (self-ignition) and electrostatic sparks and discharges. The probability of dust clouds arising is closely related to both process and dust dispersion properties.Factors determining the consequences of dust explosions include how frequently personnel are present, the equipment strength, implemented consequence-reducing measures and housekeeping, as risk assessment techniques demonstrate the importance of good housekeeping especially due to the enormous consequences of secondary dust explosions (despite their relatively low probability). The ignitibility and explosibility of the potential dust clouds also play a crucial role in determining the overall risk.Classes describe both the likelihood of dust explosions and their consequences, ranging from low probabilities and limited local damage, to high probability of occurrence and catastrophic damage. Acceptance criteria are determined based on the likelihood and consequence of the events. The risk assessment techniques also allow for choosing adequate risk reducing measures: both preventive and protective. Techniques for mitigating identified explosions risks include the following: bursting disks and quenching tubes, explosion suppression systems, explosion isolating systems, inerting techniques and temperature control. Advanced CFD tools (DESC) can be used to not only assess dust explosion hazards, but also provide valuable insight into protective measures, including suppression and venting.     

基于Fuzzy模型的职业病危害综合风险评估方法研究

为有效评估作业场所职业病危害的风险大小,研究职业病危害综合风险评估方法。在综合考虑作业场所职业病危害的固有危害特征、接触特征、防护特征和健康影响特征等风险影响因素的基础上,采用层次分析和专家咨询法筛选和建立了职业病危害综合风险评价指标体系,研究制定了各评价指标的分级评价准则,利用模糊数学理论,构建了基于Fuzzy模型的职业病危害综合风险评价模型。该方法可以对职业病危害的综合风险进行评估,并能够确定风险控制的优先权,避免了传统单一指标评价的局限性,对职业病危害评价工作具有一定借鉴意义。     

安全评价方法在危险废物处置环境风险评价中的应用探讨

对安全评价方法在危险废物处置建设项目环境风险评价中的运用进行初步探索。主要用"工艺过程风险因素分析表"对工艺过程潜在风险性识别;用蒙德法进行源项分析;用池火灾模型、蒸气云爆炸伤害模型对易燃、易爆物质的火灾、爆炸等重大事故后果进行计算,得出人员的伤亡半径和财产损失半径等参数,以便于判断风险的可接受水平。分析结果表明:采用安全评价方法对危险废物处置建设项目进行环境风险评价是适用的、可行的。     

Uncertainty aspects in process safety analysis

Uncertainties of input data as well as of simulation models used in process safety analysis (PSA) are key issues in the application of risk analysis results. Mostly, it is connected with an incomplete and uncertain identification of representative accident scenario (RAS) and other vague and ambiguous information required for the assessment of particular elements of risk, especially for determination of frequency as well as severity of the consequences of RAS. The authors discuss and present the sources and types of uncertainties encountered in PSA and also methods to deal with them. There are different approaches to improve such analysis including sensitivity analysis, expert method, statistics and fuzzy logic. Statistical approach uses probability distribution of the input data and fuzzy logic approach uses fuzzy sets. This paper undertakes the fuzzy approach and presents a proposal for fuzzy risk assessment. It consists of a combination of traditional part, where methods within the process hazard analysis (PHA) are used, and “fuzzy part”, applied quantitatively, where fuzzy logic system (FLS) is involved. It concerns frequency, severity of the consequences of RAS and risk evaluation. In addition, a new element called risk correction index (RCI) is introduced to take into account uncertainty concerned with the identification of RAS. The preliminary tests confirmed that the final results on risk index are more precisely and realistically determined.     

企业职业卫生综合风险管理评估体系的研究与应用

为了能够全面、客观地评估企业职业卫生风险管理质量,利用美国EPA吸入风险评估模型、新加坡化学物职业暴露半定量风险评估模型以及风险指数评估模型,对作业场所存在的职业病危害因素进行风险水平评估,并结合企业职业卫生管理评估模型,对企业职业卫生管理水平进行定量评估,以风险等级和管理水平,综合判断企业职业卫生风险水平。将该体系应用于实例分析,结果表明:体系在充分考虑企业职业病危害因素时空分布以及企业管理现状的基础上,能够定量评估职业病危害因素的急慢性影响以及企业职业卫生管理水平。     

钢铁企业动力管道物理爆炸事故风险模糊综合评判

以风险评价理论为基础,根据事故风险率由事故发生可能性和严重性共同确定的原则,应用模糊关系合成原理将影响事故发生可能性和严重性的风险因素进行定量描述,同时应用层次分析法确定各因素权重,建立了钢铁企业动力管道物理爆炸事故风险模糊综合评判模型,最终应用风险矩阵法直观显示出该事故的风险等级。以某钢铁企业为例说明完整的动力管道物理爆炸事故的风险模糊综合评判过程,模型计算结果基本反映该钢铁企业动力管道物理爆炸事故的风险实际水平。     

Test case based risk predictions using artificial neural network

INTRODUCTION: The traditional fuzzy-rule-based risk assessment technique has been applied in many industries due to the capability of combining different parameters to obtain an overall risk. However, a drawback occurs as the technique is applied in circumstances where there are multiple parameters to be evaluated that are described by multiple linguistic terms. METHOD: In this study, a risk prediction model incorporating fuzzy set theory and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) capable of resolving the problem encountered is proposed. An algorithm capable of converting the risk-related parameters and the overall risk level from the fuzzy property to the crisp-valued attribute is also developed. Its application is demonstrated by a test case evaluating the navigational safety within port areas. RESULTS: It is concluded that a risk predicting ANN model is capable of generating reliable results as long as the training data takes into account any potential circumstance that may be met. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This paper provides safety assessment practitioners with a novel and flexible framework of modelling risks using a fuzzy-rule-base technique. It is especially applicable in circumstances where there are multiple parameters to be considered. The proposed framework also enables the port industry to manage navigational safety in a rational manner.     

粉尘爆炸特殊风险的辨识、评价和控制

针对粉尘爆炸的特殊风险,以粉尘爆炸特征参数为基础,从爆炸环境形成和13种点火源出现可能性两个方面提出了风险辨识方法,突出了爆炸下限和最小点火能在粉尘爆炸风险辨识中的重要性,并以面粉厂制粉系统为例进行了点火源危险性的辨识分析。对控制粉尘爆炸的最新防护方法进行了概括和分析,总结并分析了常用粉尘爆炸预防和防护措施及相关技术装置,指出了对应的使用条件和特点。     

Risk-based quantitative method for determining blast-resistant and defense loads of petrochemical buildings

Petrochemical buildings are usually distributed near chemical installations and have a high risk of explosion because of the concentration of people. In order to effectively design and protect buildings against explosion, it is needed to determine the blast-resistant and defense loads reasonably. Based on the theory of risk, a triangular pyramid explosion risk model was established in this study, which combined the overpressure p, duration t, and frequency f of the explosion scene at the same time. The first principle of “acceptable cumulative frequency” and the key principle of “maximum explosion risk” were formulated. According to this method, the explosion risk of eight leakage units with 10 groups of leakage hole size and three dangerous wind directions were obtained. According to the cumulative explosion frequency curve and the explosion risk curve, blast-resistant and defense loads of the four walls were determined quantitatively. Among the four walls, the explosion overpressure were 44.0–74.5 kPa, and the corresponding duration were 34.1–39.1 ms. The cumulative explosion frequency were 2.11E−5 to 8.58E−5 times annually. The explosion risk value were 3.64E−3 to 5.35E−3 kPa·ms annually. The results indicated that it was of great importance for the calculation of the explosion risk to reasonably divide the leakage unit and determine the leakage frequency. The explosion scene and its frequency, the volume of the obstructed region, and the distance of the explosion source were the key variables that affected the explosive load. The final blast-resistant and defense load values were found in the case of the middle hole size leakage. Blast-resistant and defense loads not only met the risk acceptance standard but also considered the overpressure and the duration of explosion. At present, they have been extensively applied in the blast-resistant design and engineering transformation of buildings in SINOPEC.     

Accident modeling of toxic gas-containing flammable gas release and explosion on an offshore platform

Toxic gas-containing flammable gas leak can lead to poisoning accidents as well as explosion accidents once the ignition source appears. Many attempts have been made to evaluate and mitigate the adverse effects of these accidents. All these efforts are instructive and valuable for risk assessment and risk management towards the poisoning effect and explosion effect. However, these analyses assessed the poisoning effect and explosion effect separately, ignoring that these two kinds of hazard effects may happen simultaneously. Accordingly, an integrated methodology is proposed to evaluate the consequences of toxic gas-containing flammable gas leakage and explosion accident, in which a risk-based concept and the grid-based concept are adopted to combine the effects. The approach is applied to a hypothetical accident scenario concerning an H₂S-containing natural gas leakage and explosion accident on an offshore platform. The dispersion behavior and accumulation characteristics of released gas as well as the subsequent vapor cloud explosion (VCE) are modeled by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code Flame Acceleration Simulator (FLACS). This approach is concise and efficient for practical engineering applications. And it helps to develop safety measures and improve the emergency response plan.     

Effect of rusting and mechanical damage of gap surfaces on efficiency of flame gaps in flameproof electrical apparatus

Potentially incendiary electrical apparatus for use in the presence of explosive gas atmospheres have to be specially designed to prevent the apparatus from igniting the gas. Flameproof design is one of several options, and one requirement is then that any holes and gaps in the enclosure wall be designed to prevent a gas explosion inside the enclosure from being transmitted to an explosive gas cloud outside it. Current standards (IEC) require that flame gap surfaces have a surface roughness of <6.3 μm. Any damaged flame gap surface has to be restored to this quality. The present investigation has demonstrated that flame gap surfaces in flameproof electrical apparatuses can suffer considerable corrosive and mechanical damage without any reduction of gap performance. In some cases very significant mechanical surface damage in fact improves gap performance. Possible physical reasons for this are discussed. These findings indicate that current high costs of repairing and replacing flameproof electrical apparatus in process plants offshore and onshore can be significantly reduced without any increase of explosion risks.