Analysis and control of major accidents from the intermediate temporary storage of dangerous substances in marshalling yards and port areas

This paper deals with the major accident hazards associated with the intermediate temporary storage of dangerous substances in transportation-related activities. In particular, the hazards related to the presence of dangerous substances in port areas and marshalling yards are identified and analysed. Furthermore, a number of past accidents in transport interfaces have been collated from various sources and have been statistically analysed. Finally, the framework for major accident control in these activities is reviewed and discussed.     

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.     

Assessment of the Consequences of Accident Scenarios Involving Dangerous Substances

This paper highlights major steps in the procedure for evaluating the consequences of accidents involving dangerous substances, especially during the storage, and loading/unloading activities. The procedure relies on identifying accident scenarios that could be encountered at particular plants, followed by a modelling of these scenarios by means of available modelling systems. Finally, the resultant outcomes are identified, together with their effects on both people and property. The resources needed to perform this procedure are discussed, in order to clarify the roles of plant operators, external experts and other institutions when evaluating any accident consequences. Four examples, all relevant in industrial practice, are given in order to illustrate the procedure: the releasing of liquified petroleum gas, flammable organic solvents, toxic chlorine, and oil fuels. The results of these studies may be used for a quick order-of-magnitude estimation of accidents consequences.     

Heavy gas dispersion by water spray curtains: A research methodology

The mitigation of the consequences of accidental releases of dangerous toxic and/or flammable cloud is a serious concern in the petro-chemical and gas industries. Nowadays, the water-curtain is recognized as a useful technique to mitigate a heavy gas cloud. The paper presents a research methodology, which has been established and undertaken to quantify the forced dispersion factor provided by a water-curtain with respect to its configuration.

The method involves medium-scale field tests, Wind-Gallery tests and numerical simulations. These different approaches are discussed and exemplified by typical results emphasizing the observed concentration reduction due to the water-curtain.     

LNG as a potential alternative fuel - Safety and security of storage facilities

The aim of this article is to summarize the safety and security aspects of storing of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a potential alternative fuel. The contribution deals with possible scenarios of accidents associated with LNG storage facilities and with a methodology for the assessment of vulnerability of such facilities. The protection of LNG storage facilities as element of critical infrastructure should also be a matter of interest to the state. The study presents the results of determination of hazardous zones around LNG facilities in the event of various sorts of release. For calculations, the programs ALOHA, EFFECTS and TerEx were used and results obtained were compared. Scenarios modelled within this study represent a possible approach to the preliminary assessment of risk that should be verified by more detailed modelling (CFD). These scenarios can also be used for a quick estimation of areas endangered by an incident or accident. The results of modelling of the hazardous zones contribute to a reduction in risk of major accidents associated with these potential alternative energy sources.     

Analysis of accidents and incidents occurring during transport of packaged dangerous goods by sea

The release of packaged or containerized dangerous goods during transport can have serious consequences on board a ship. This study was focused on identifying factors contributing to these types of releases and on investigating the contribution of dangerous goods accidents to overall container ship accident rates. Records of dangerous goods releases from a US and a UK database for an 11-year period covering 1998–2008 were analyzed to identify and categorize main contributing factors. The majority of releases, estimated as 97% of the US events and 94% of the UK events, did not follow another primary accident type such as a collision. Faults that occurred during activities such as preparation of the goods for transport, packaging, stuffing containers, and loading the ship were main factors contributing to the release of the dangerous goods on board the ship. For container ship casualties occurring worldwide during the same period, 1998–2008, accidents involving packaged dangerous goods were estimated to account for 15% of all fatalities. Self-ignition or ignition of incorrectly declared dangerous goods was identified as a contributing factor for the fatal accidents. Ensuring that dangerous goods are correctly prepared and documented for marine transport is thus very important for preventing releases and improving on board safety.     

CFD modelling of hydrogen release, dispersion and combustion for automotive scenarios

The paper describes the analysis of the potential effects of releases from compressed gaseous hydrogen systems on commercial vehicles in urban and tunnel environments using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Comparative releases from compressed natural gas systems are also included in the analysis.

This study is restricted to typical non-articulated single deck city buses. Hydrogen releases are considered from storage systems with nominal working pressures of 20, 35 and 70 MPa, and a comparative natural gas release (20 MPa). The cases investigated are based on the assumptions that either fire causes a release via a thermally activated pressure relief device(s) (PRD) and that the released gas vents without immediately igniting, or that a PRD fails. Various release strategies were taken into account. For each configuration some worst-case scenarios are considered.

By far the most critical case investigated in the urban environment, is a rapid release of the entire hydrogen or natural gas storage system such as the simultaneous opening of all PRDs. If ignition occurs, the effects could be expected to be similar to the 1983 Stockholm hydrogen accident [Venetsanos, A. G., Huld, T., Adams, P., & Bartzis, J. G. (2003). Source, dispersion and combustion modelling of an accidental release of hydrogen in an urban environment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, A105, 1–25]. In the cases where the hydrogen release is restricted, for example, by venting through a single PRD, the effects are relatively minor and localised close to the area of the flammable cloud. With increasing hydrogen storage pressure, the maximum energy available in a flammable cloud after a release increases, as do the predicted overpressures resulting from combustion. Even in the relatively confined environment considered, the effects on the combustion regime are closer to what would be expected in a more open environment, i.e. a slow deflagration should be expected.

Among the cases studied the most severe one was a rapid release of the entire hydrogen (40 kg) or natural gas (168 kg) storage system within the confines of a tunnel. In this case there was minimal difference between a release from a 20 MPa natural gas system or a 20 MPa hydrogen system, however, a similar release from a 35 MPa hydrogen system was significantly more severe and particularly in terms of predicted overpressures. The present study has also highlighted that the ignition point significantly affects the combustion regime in confined environments. The results have indicated that critical cases in tunnels may tend towards a fast deflagration, or where there are turbulence generating features, e.g. multiple obstacles, there is the possibility that the combustion regime could progress to a detonation.

When comparing the urban and tunnel environments, a similar release of hydrogen is significantly more severe in a tunnel, and the energy available in the flammable cloud is greater and remains for a longer period in tunnels. When comparing hydrogen and natural gas releases, for the cases and environments investigated and within the limits of the assumptions, it appears that hydrogen requires different mitigation measures in order that the potential effects are similar to those of natural gas in case of an accident. With respect to a PRD opening strategy, hydrogen storage systems should be designed to avoid simultaneous opening of all PRD, and that for the consequences of the released energy to be mitigated, either the number of PRDs opening should be limited or their vents to atmosphere should be restricted (the latter point would require validation by a comprehensive risk assessment).     

对天津港“8·12”特别重大火灾爆炸事故相关法规标准的思考

硝化棉已分别列入危险化学品、易制爆危险化学品和第二批重点监管的危险化学品,硝酸铵也分别列入危险化学品、民用爆炸物品和首批重点监管的危险化学品,二者都是重点监管的对象,但二者相关事故还是时有发生。为了更全面和深刻理解天津港“8·12”特别重大火灾爆炸事故的发生,以危险化学品储存场所外部距离标准要求为切入点,分析了储存场所外部距离变化过程;介绍了初始起火物质硝化棉和导致事故后果严重扩大的硝酸铵2种危险化学品的国内监管分类和相关标准要求,并与事故调查报告中给出的结论进行了对比;针对本起火灾爆炸事故后果特点和非法储存危险物质罪罪行认定条件,剖析了现存的问题。分析结果旨在为政府有关部门及事故调查等工作提供参考。     

基于半定量的FRAM道路危险品运输事故分析方法研究*

为弥补事故分析法在道路危险品运输事故致因研究方面的缺失,解决传统事故分析方法分析结果不全面、防控措施不具体且针对性较差的问题,引入半定量功能共振事故模型（FRAM）,通过定量化功能上下游耦合变异性,阐述事故发生机理同时,找到系统关键功能和关键链路,制定防控措施重点监控。结果表明:基于半定量的FRAM道路危险品运输事故分析方法能够更快、更准确地找出事故发生的关键功能和关键链路,制定针对性防控措施,有效提高道路危险品运输系统安全性。研究结果可为道路事故分析提供参考。     

Prevention and mitigation of injuries and damages arising from the activity of subliminal enterprises: A case study in Slovakia

The paper focuses on risk sources under no legislative pressure in the field of prevention of major accidents. Despite this, they can represent significant sources of risk of accidents.The aim of the paper is to present the results of the risk assessment associated with the operation of enterprises not regulated by the SEVESO III Directive (the so-called subliminal enterprises), to provide information on possible operational problems and to verify the applicability of recognized risk analysis methods for these specific sources of risk. Last but not least, its purpose is to point out that subliminal enterprises, due to their location close to residential areas or areas with a high concentration of population, pose a serious risk to the population.The paper summarizes the results of the quantitative risk assessment of a specific enterprise not included in the Seveso Directive – a filling station. Filling stations are frequently located in built-up areas with a dense coefficient of habitability. Due to their number, location (e.g. close to residential areas), frequency of occurrence of persons in the area and handling of dangerous substances during normal operation, they can have negative or even tragic consequences to the life and health of the population.Due to the non-existent risk assessment methodology for enterprises with subliminal quantities of dangerous substances and the lack of a systematic search for risk sources, a risk assessment procedure for these companies is designed.     

危险化学品企业外部安全防护距离监管存在问题及对策

国内外许多重大事故教训表明要危险化学品企业必须与外部脆弱性目标之间设置合理的安全防护距离。目前在危险化学品企业外部安全防护距离的监管过程中存在许多问题,如缺乏上位法的支撑,未纳入城市规划控制程序,缺乏专门的安全防护距离标准,事故隐患企业搬迁难,以及公众参与不足等。造成这些问题的原因有城市发展的压力,政府监管的缺失,部分企业盲目扩建、改造,周边区域违规开发建设。危险化学品企业的外部安全防护距离问题涉及到危险化学品企业、周边开发单位、公众以及政府四个主要利益相关方,目前所遇到的问题是土地资源在城市经济社会快速发展与公众安全需求提高之间矛盾下的必然结果。在立足国情借鉴国外做法的基础上,本文提出一些综合性策略和针对新建项目和现有企业的措施建议,目前解决危险化学品企业安全防护距离问题解决的关键是将危险化学品企业及其周边区域的土地利用规划的安全控制纳入城市规划许可程序中,以及利益相关方之间相互协调机制的建立。     

公路隧道施工危险源辨识与应急预案

以公路隧道施工危险源辨识特点为基础,通过对隧道施工的危险源辨识以及以往事故的统计分析,阐明了公路隧道施工过程及施工机械进行辨识的方法和主要内容,确定了坍塌、透水、火灾和爆炸事故是公路隧道施工中的重大突发事故,在此基础上,提出了公路隧道施工事故应急预案的编制内容,具有一定的实际指导意义.     

危险化学品突发泄漏事故应急决策系统的开发与应用

介绍了危险化学品突发泄漏事故应急决策系统的开发及其在实际中的应用,以危险化学品数据库为基础,建立泄漏介质查找系统,方便查找泄漏介质,并根据所查找泄漏介质提供相应的应急决策方案。以"苯"泄漏为例,危险化学品突发泄漏事故应急决策系统根据操作人员提供的现场数据,自动生成苯泄漏的应急决策方案,方案内容包括带压密封夹具图、作业用工器具、安全保护用品、密封注剂选择、现场操作方法、现场急救方法、苯泄漏物处置预案、苯泄漏的消防及国家法规信息支持。危险化学品突发泄漏事故应急决策系统能够便捷的协助用户安全、迅速、有效地处置各种危险化学品,有效的预防因危险化学品泄漏引起的火灾、爆炸、环境污染及人身伤亡等特重大事故的发生,降低危险化学品泄漏事故所造成的危害。     

化工园区安全监控系统研究

化工园区内重大危险源数量多、密度大,存在着发生重特大事故的现实性和可能性。因此,亟需建立化工园区安全监控系统对化工园区内的固定危险源、危险工艺过程、危化品车辆和公共区域重要部位进行动态监控和安全监管,预防和消除事故风险,并为化工园区安全监控与事故应急提供技术支持。提出了化工园区安全监控系统系统硬件架构,介绍了化工园区安全参数设置方法、安全监控流程和事故预警机制,提出了系统软件的总体架构和功能。     

国内化学危险品重特大典型事故分析及其预防措施

化学品是比较危险的物品 ,如果管理不善 ,一旦发生意外事故 ,将造成巨大经济损失和重大人员伤亡。笔者从生产事故、使用事故、储存事故、运输事故、其他事故等方面 ,阐述了我国化学危险品重特大典型事故的分布 ;通过事故案例 ,强调了化学危险品事故的特殊性、危害性 ,分析了产生事故的主要原因 ,并提出各种避免或减少化学危险品事故的发生的预防措施。     

2010—2019年我国特别重大事故规律研究

为研究我国现阶段特别重大事故规律特征,选取2010—2019年的34起特别重大安全事故作为研究对象,利用统计学手段,以这些事故的发生地域、时间、死亡人数、事故分类等因素作为统计标准进行分析。研究发现:从时间角度,我国特别重大事故在近10年整体呈现震荡下降趋势;每年下半年,尤其是8月份为特别重大事故的高发期;特别重大交通事故易发生在夜间与午后,煤矿事故易发生在上午至中午,爆炸事故易发生在上午。针对不同行业或事故类别,交通运输及煤矿行业为特别重大事故的高发行业,爆炸事故为特别重大事故的高发类型且事故后果最为严重。同时,发现同类事故在同地区、同年月、同时段均存在聚集性现象。     

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.     

A study of maintenance-related major accident cases in the 21st century

This paper is based on a review of 183 detailed, major accident investigation and analysis reports related to the handling, processing and storage of hydrocarbons and hazardous chemicals over a decade from 2000 to 2011. The reports cover technical, human and organizational factors. In this paper, the Work and Accident Process (WAP) classification scheme is applied to the accident reports with the intention of investigating to what extent maintenance has been a cause of major accidents and what maintenance-related causes have been the most frequent.The main objectives are: (1) to present more current overall statistics of maintenance-related major accidents, (2) to investigate the trend of maintenance-related major accidents over time, and (3) to investigate which maintenance-related major accident causes are the most frequent, requiring the most attention in the drive for improvement.The paper presents statistical analysis and interpretation of maintenance-related major accidents’ moving averages as well as data related to the types of facility, hazardous substances, major accidents and causes. This is based on a thorough review of accident investigation reports.It is found that out of 183 major accidents in the US and Europe, maintenance was linked to 80 (44%) and that the accident trend is decreasing. The results also show that “lack of barrier maintenance” (50%), “deficient design, organization and resource management” (85%) and “deficient planning/scheduling/fault diagnosis” (69%) are the most frequent causes in terms of the active accident process, the latent accident process and the work process respectively.