A retro-synthesis approach for hazard evaluation and risk screening

Risk screening instruments can be very useful for evaluating hazards and establishing priorities for risk reduction. Further, these instruments can provide educational value to field staff when they are distributed to individuals outside of traditional process safety roles. This paper describes a retro-synthesis technique whereby risk screening instruments can be readily generated for these types of hazard evaluation and priority setting activities. Further, by utilizing a retro-synthesis approach, data gathered at the field level can often be drawn upon at a later point if a more detailed risk assessment is required. The retro-synthesis approach involves working backwards from traditional risk functions (relationships) so as to define the predominant elements for incorporation within the risk screening instrument. Compared to conventional techniques, the retro-synthesis approach utilizes deductive reasoning techniques in a manner similar to Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). However, the directional relationships that are established between causes and consequences become inverted.For example, risk can be defined as a function of “likelihood” and “severity”, where “severity” may be a function of the “energy released” and the “exposure group”. Similarly, the “energy released” is often a function of the “properties of the material involved” and the “amount of material released”. Through identifying these relationships, “risk” in this example can be characterized as a function of “likelihood”, “exposure group”, “properties of the material involved”, and “amount of material released”. Further, by highlighting the various influential parameters, the relationships between each of these parameters, as related to risk, can also be understood. Once the various terms and functions are defined, screening categories can then be developed to quantify each of the terms so as to allow for an approximation of the relative risk involved for the given scenarios.This approach benefits from being simple to develop, maintaining alignment with the mathematics required for more detailed quantitative risk assessments, and generating screening categories which can be given to field staff. Through careful construction of the screening categories field staff can then rapidly, and in a reproducible manner, screen a large number of scenarios so as to identify those situations which represent priority hazards.     

Experimental evaluation of the possibility of ignition and flame propagation in accumulated difluoromethane (R32) from a kerosene cigarette lighter

The possibility of ignition and flame propagation in accumulated difluoromethane (CH₂F₂, R32) was examined experimentally, simulating a situation in which a service operative uses a kerosene lighter for smoking. To simulate the situation where a kerosene cigarette lighter is used in accumulated R32, electrodes fixed in the windbreak of the lighter were remotely supplied with electricity to generate sparks of various durations but of similar energies to those of actual sparks generated by rubbing a flint to ignite the fuel in the lighter. We identified several cases of ignition and formation of an open flame in the windbreak of the lighter, and the flame propagated to the accumulated R32 when it was supplied with sufficient energy from the spark. Gas chromatographic analyses confirmed that the mixture in the windbreak of the kerosene lighter consisted mainly of vaporized fuel and air, with no R32. Therefore, even if the lighter is located in accumulated R32, an open flame can be generated in the windbreak of the kerosene cigarette lighter through ignition by the spark energy generated by friction between the flint and the flint wheel. Our results confirmed that there is a real possibility of ignition and flame propagation when a kerosene cigarette lighter is used in accumulated R32 under the leak rate conditions of the present experiment.     

Experimental study on the competing effect of ceramic pellets on premixed methane-air flame propagation in a duct

It is urgent to explore effective suppression methods for gas fires and explosions to ensure the safe utilizations of combustible gases in industrial processes. In this work, experiments are performed to study the effect of spherical ceramic pellets on premixed methane-air flame propagation in a closed duct. High-speed schlieren photography and pressure transducers are used to record the flame propagation and pressure transient, respectively. Behaviors of the flame propagating through a section of the duct filled with ceramic pellets in mixtures at different equivalence ratios are scrutinized. Three different diameters of pellets are considered in the experiments. The result shows that the flame can be quenched in the case with a smaller pellet diameter (3 mm) for a wide range of equivalence ratios from fuel-lean to fuel-rich mixture. For larger pellet diameter (5 or 10 mm), flame extinction occurs in fuel-rich mixtures (e.g. Φ = 1.1, 1.2). For the cases of flame surviving through the pellets bed, the pellets show a significant influence on the flame structure and behavior. The flame propagation depends on the porosity and the mean void diameter of the porous media in the pellets bed. Small void diameter is beneficial to flame quenching, while large porosity can accelerate the flame propagation. The pressure dynamics evolution is closely related to the interaction of flame with the pellets, and it depends on whether the flame quenches in the pellets bed. Overall, d = 3 mm ceramic pellets display the best suppression effect on flame propagation and pressure buildup in this study. The results of this study are of great significance to guide the safety design of spherical suppression materials in engineering applications for process safety researchers and engineers.     

液化石油气点火能试验及爆炸火焰传播分析

为研究液化石油气体积分数与点火能的关系以及爆炸火焰的传播过程,在实验室应用特制的爆炸试验装置,采用调节点火能和液化石油气体积分数的方法,进行一系列爆炸试验,并使用高速摄像机记录爆炸的动态过程。试验结果表明,当液化石油气的试验爆炸体积分数在5%～9%时,其体积分数与点火能之间呈现比较平缓的变化关系,而当其体积分数小于5%或大于9%时,体积分数的稍微变化,其点火能将发生显著的变化。爆炸过程图像分析显示,在爆炸初期,火焰阵面的微分加速起主导作用。随着火焰从点火源位置向四周扩散,光滑的层流火焰开始逐步"湍流化",火焰阵面出现皱折,燃烧面积增加,火焰传播速度逐渐上升直至最大值。在整个过程中,火焰阵面出现非稳定的加速。     

Inherent thermal runaway hazard evaluation method of chemical process based on fire and explosion index

Thermal runaway hazard assessment provides the basis for comparing the hazard levels of different chemical processes. To make an overall evaluation, hazard of materials and reactions should be considered. However, most existing methods didn't take the both into account simultaneously, which may lead the assessment to a deviation from the actual hazard. Therefore, an integrated approach called Inherent Thermal-runaway Hazard Index (ITHI) was developed in this paper. Similar to Dow Fire and Explosion Index(F&EI) function, thermal runaway hazard of chemical process in ITHI was the product of material factor (MF) and risk index (RI) of reaction. MF was an indicator of material thermal hazards, which can be determined by initial reaction temperature and maximum power density. RI, which was the product of probability and severity, indicated the risk of thermal runaway during the reaction stage. Time to maximum rate under adiabatic conditions and criticality classes of scenario were used to indicate the runaway probability of the chemical process. Adiabatic temperature rise and heat of the desired reaction and secondary reaction were used to determine the severity of runaway reaction. Finally, predefined hazard classification criteria was used to classify and interpret the results obtained by this method. Moreover, the method was validated by case studies.     

FSRU作业过程火灾爆炸危险性评估研究

浮式储存和再气化装置（FSRU）运行过程中易导致火灾爆炸等事故的发生,为有效评估FSRU作业过程火灾爆炸危险性,采用火灾爆炸危险指数评估法,对运用FSRU的某浮式LNG接收终端进行危险性评估;选取LNG运输船与FSRU装料作业等9个单元,研究确定了一般工艺危险性系数、特殊工艺危险性系数、安全措施补偿系数等参数,得出了补偿前后的火灾爆炸危险性指数,有效评估了FSRU作业过程火灾爆炸危险性,并基于研究结果提出了保障FSRU作业安全的对策措施与建议。研究结果表明,安全措施补偿前,缘于LNG/NG本身的火灾危险性和数量较大,能量高度集中,LNG运输船与FSRU装料作业等单元的火灾爆炸危险等级均达到了“非常大”;在采取了一系列的安全措施补偿后,火灾爆炸危险指数降低了3/5左右。这对系统深入地研究FSRU作业安全具有较重要的理论意义和实际应用价值。     

高校学生宿舍火灾风险与综合评价

高校为我国培养了多种专业人才.随着高等教育规模的不断扩大,高校安全问题已成为全社会关注的焦点,特别是学生宿舍火灾问题.通过对高校学生宿舍火灾多发的原因和特性分析得出,学生安全意识差、消防知识匮乏、人员密度大、建筑物耐火等级低等是造成高校学生宿舍火灾的主要原因.依据火灾安全特征及相关规定,应用系统理论的观点,提出学生宿舍火灾风险辨识应从学校系统内部因素、外部环境和管理层次三维角度进行分析.构建宿舍火灾风险评价的安全评价体系,运用模糊综合评价的方法,结合实例探讨该方法的可行性.     

Experimental study on CO2/CF3I suppression of methane-air explosion and flame propagation

To explore the inhibitory effects of CF₃I and CO₂ gas on the explosion pressure and flame propagation characteristics of 9.5% methane, a spherical 20 L experimental explosion device was used to study the effect of the gas explosion suppressants on the maximum explosion pressure, maximum explosion pressure rise rate and flame propagation speed of methane. The results indicated that with a gradual increase in the volume fraction of the gas explosion suppressant, the maximum explosion pressure of methane and maximum explosion pressure rise rate gradually decreased, and the time taken to reach the maximum explosion pressure and maximum explosion pressure rise rate was gradually delayed. At the same time, the flame propagation speed gradually decreased. Additionally, the time taken for the flame to reach the edge of the window and the time taken for a crack as well as a cellular structure to appear on the flame surface was gradually delayed. The fluid dynamics uncertainty was suppressed. The explosion pressure and flame propagation processes were markedly suppressed, but the flame buoyancy instability was gradually enhanced. By comparing the effects of the two gas explosion suppressants on the pressure and flame propagation characteristics, it was found that at the same volume fraction, trifluoroiodomethane was significantly better than carbon dioxide in suppressing the explosion of methane. By comparing the reduction rates of the characteristic methane explosion parameters at a volume fraction of 9.5%, it was observed that the inhibitory effect of 4% trifluoroiodomethane on the maximum explosion pressure was approximately 4.6 times that of the same amount of carbon dioxide, and the inhibitory effect of 4% trifluoroiodomethane on the maximum explosion pressure rise rate and flame propagation speed was approximately 2.7 times that of the same amount of carbon dioxide. The addition of 0.5%–1.5% trifluoromethane to 4% and 8% carbon dioxide can improve the explosion suppression efficiency of carbon dioxide. This enhancing phenomenon is a comprehensive manifestation of the oxygen-decreasing effect of carbon dioxide and the trifluoroiodomethane-related endothermic effect and reduction in key free radicals.     

Large eddy simulation and experimental study of the effect of wire mesh on flame behaviours of methane/air explosions in a semi-confined pipe

Preventing the propagation of flames in a pipeline is an effective measure for avoiding gas explosion accidents and reducing losses. To evaluate the effect of wire mesh, acting as a porous media, experimental and simulation studies are conducted to determine the influence of the wire mesh on the dynamics of premixed methane/air flame propagation in a semi-closed pipe. Four different kinds of wire mesh with different numbers of layers are chosen in the experiments and simulation, and the mechanism of wire mesh quenching of the flame is investigated. The experimental and simulation results are consistent. Flames are quenched when 4 layers of 40-mesh or 3 layers of 60-mesh wire mesh are used; however, once the flame propagates through the wire mesh, the risk of methane combustion may increase. The wire mesh becomes the key factor causing flame folds and acceleration, and the greater the number of layers or the larger the mesh size is, the more obvious the folds after the flame passes through the wire mesh. Moreover, the combination of heat absorption and disruption of the continuous flame surface by the mesh causes flame quenching. Wire mesh can effectively attenuate the flame temperature during premixed flame propagation in a pipe, and the attenuated maximum rate reaches approximately 79% in the case of adding 3 layers of 60-mesh wire mesh.     

Numerical study on premixing characteristics and explosion process of starch in a vertical pipe under turbulent flow

Fire and explosion accidents are frequently caused by combustible dust, which has led to increased interest in this area of research. Although scholars have performed some research in this field, they often ignored interesting phenomena in their experiments. In this paper, we established a 2D numerical method to thoroughly investigate the particle motion and distribution before ignition. The optimal time for the corn starch dust cloud to ignite was determined in a semi-closed tube, and the characteristics of the flame propagation and temperature field were investigated after ignition inside and outside the tube. From the simulation, certain unexpected phenomena that occurred in the experiment were explained, and some suggestions were proposed for future experiments. The results from the simulation showed that 60–70 ms was the best time for the dust cloud to ignite. The local high-temperature flame clusters were caused by the agglomeration of high-temperature particles, and there were no flames near the wall of the tube due to particles gathering and attaching to the wall. Vortices formed around the nozzle, where the particle concentration was low and the flame spread slowly. During the explosion venting, particles flew out of the tube before the flame. The venting flame exhibited a “mushroom cloud” shape due to interactions with the vortex, and the flame maintained this shape as it was driven upward by the vortex.     

丙烯酰胺一期工程危险源辨识与评价

为尽量避免事故的发生,以及减少事故发生造成的损失,生产经营单位需要对其生产过程中的所有程序进行危险源辨识与评价。依据某工厂提供的有关资料,对其新建项目丙烯酰胺一期工程的工艺、设备、设施及公用工程、辅助设施进行危险源辨识,然后运用预先危险性分析、安全检查表法、危险度评价法、事故后果模拟评价法等评价方法,对危险源的危险程度进行评价,使工厂通过对危险源的有效管理,可以预防重大事故的发生,而且一旦发生重大事故,能将事故的损失控制到最低程度。     

全面现场调查在职业病危害因素检测与评价中的重要性研究

职业病危害因素检测与评价是建立在现场卫生学调查的基础上的。本文根据职业病危害因素检测与评价的标准、规范要求，从职业病危害因素辨识、采样方案和检测方法确定、减少正式检测的工作量等方面，叙述了现场调查在职业病危害因素检测与评价中的重要性，主要有定性地鉴别工作场所存在的职业病危害因素，确定正式检测适用的方法，确保检测与评价工作的安全进行等作用。     

钻探工程施工中危险源辨识、风险评价及其控制

对钻探工程施工中存在的危险、危害因素进行了辨识和分析,采用预先危险性分析方法及安全因素影响风险评价方法对施工过程中危险源的危险等级和安全因素影响等进行了分析和评价,针对重大危险源采用了安全技术和安全管理控制措施。首先对能量危害物质、失控(包括生产、控制、安全装置和辅助设施等故障及人员失误)、管理缺陷及客观因素进行危险源辨识;第二,评价危险源危害因素主次;第三,采用安全技术和安全管理措施有效地对车辆伤害、登高作业、防雷安全、用电安全、机械安全及预防自然灾害(火灾)等重大危险源进行控制。通过实践表明,福建省121地质大队采用该方法对钻探工程项目的危险源进行了有效地控制,实现了钻探安全生产。     

A posteriori hazard analysis and feedback information of an accidental event in the grains storage of an agrochemical product

The present study concerns a hazardous event which occurred in an industrial storage tank of a ground insecticide. A preliminary post-accident approach of the hazard evaluation is performed. The rapid report of the presence of an unstable functional group in the active product and of its potential thermal instability (CHETAH indices) has led to complete this examination by an experimental study of thermal analysis using isotherm exposition measurement (DTA) or with temperature programming by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and oxidability tests (BAM). The apparent kinetics of decomposition of the active matter of the ground insecticide has been represented by a global Arrhenius law.

A model designed for the simulation of heterogeneous thermal runaways based on the numerical solution of the transient mass and energy balances has been further applied to define the critical conditions of the storage and simulate its behavior.

The results obtained during this analysis with the experienced feedback allowed us on one side to explain the hazardous event and especially on the other side to modify the operating protocol of the conditions of formulation of the active matter on the inert mineral support.     

基于SPA模型的煤矿瓦斯危险源风险评价

根据危险源理论和三类危险源的观点,采用集对分析(SPA)方法,进行了安全一事故集对的同异反分析,指出应采取措施控制不确定项,尤其要控制其中的第二类、第三类危险源才能使系统趋于安全状态;同时建立了煤矿瓦斯危险源风险评价模型,通过联系度的计算得出煤矿瓦斯的安全等级.研究表明,将集对分析方法应用于某煤矿瓦斯危险源风险评价,计算简单,结果较为精确、可靠,为不确定系统的评价提供了一条新思路.     

Effects of a carbon monoxide-dominant gas mixture on the explosion and flame propagation behaviors of methane in air

This work aimed to experimentally evaluate the effects of a carbon monoxide-dominant gas mixture on the explosion characteristics of methane in air and report the results of an experimental study on explosion pressure measurement in closed vessel deflagration for a carbon monoxide-dominant gas mixture over its entire flammable range. Experiments were performed in a 20-L spherical explosion tank with a quartz glass window 110 mm in diameter using an electric spark (1 J) as the ignition source. All experiments were conducted at room temperature and at ambient pressure, with a relative humidity ranging from 52 to 73%. The peak explosion pressure (P_max), maximum pressure rise rate ((dp/dt)_max), and gas deflagration index (K_G) were observed and analyzed. The flame propagation behavior in the initial stage was recorded using a high-speed camera. The spherical outward flame front was determined on the basis of a canny method, from which the maximum flame propagation speed (S_n) was calculated. The results indicated that the existence of the mixture had a significant effect on the flame propagation of CH₄-air and increased its explosion risk. As the volume fraction of the mixed gas increases, the P_max, (dp/dt)_max, K_G and S_n of the fuel-lean CH₄-air mixture (7% CH₄-air mixture) increase nonlinearly. In contrast, addition of the mixed gas negatively affected the fuel-rich mixture (11% CH₄-air mixture), exhibiting a decreasing trend. Under stoichiometric conditions (9.5% CH₄-air mixture), the mixed gas slightly lowered P_max, (dp/dt)_max, K_G, and S_n. The P_max of CH₄-air mixtures at volume fractions of 7%, 9.5%, and 11% were 5.4, 6.9, and 6.8 bar, respectively. The S_n of CH₄-air mixtures at volume fractions of 7%, 9.5%, and 11% were 1.2 m/s, 2.0 m/s, and 1.8 m/s, respectively. The outcome of the study is comprehensive data that quantify the dependency of explosion severity parameters on the gas concentration. In the storage and transportation of flammable gases, the information is required to quantify the potential severity of an explosion, design vessels able to withstand an explosion and design explosion safety measures for installations handling this gas.     

Inhibition effects of Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2 on Al-Mg alloy dust explosion

To identify a superior explosion suppressant for Al-Mg alloy dust explosion, the inhibition effects of Al(OH)₃ and Mg(OH)₂ powders on Al-Mg alloy explosion were investigated. A flame propagation suppression experiment was carried out using a modified Hartmann tube experimental system, an explosion pressure suppression experiment was carried out using a 20-L spherical explosion experimental system, and the suppression mechanisms of the two kinds of powders on Al-Mg alloy dust explosion were further investigated. The results demonstrate that by increasing the mass percentages of Al(OH)₃ and Mg(OH)₂, the flame height, flame propagation speed and explosion pressure of deflagration can be effectively reduced. When 80% Mg(OH)₂ powder was added, the explosion pressure was reduced to less than 0.1 MPa, and the explosion was restrained. Due to the strong polarity of the surface of Mg(OH)₂, agglomeration easily occurs; hence, when the added quantity is small, the inhibition effect is weaker than that of Al(OH)₃. Because the Mg(OH)₂ decomposition temperature is higher, the same quantity absorbs more heat and exhibits stronger adsorption of free radicals. Therefore, to fully suppress Al-Mg alloy explosion, the suppression effect of Mg(OH)₂ powder is better.     

某铁矿职业病预评价中危害因素的识别与分析

职业病危害因素识别与分析是职业病危害预评价的基础,识别与分析的结果直接关系到职业病危害预评价结论的合理性和科学性。以某铁矿职业病危害预评价为例,重点阐述了系统工程分析法和类比调查法在预评价中职业病危害因素识别与分析的应用。通过对原辅材料、生产工艺和设备以及类比工程进行分析,识别了某铁矿可能存在的职业病危害因素,并分析了职业病危害程度,得出来了凿岩工是白指病、噪声聋、尘肺的易感人群,球磨工和破碎工罹患尘肺病和噪声聋的概率较大,凿岩工、球磨工和破碎工是本项目重点保护对象和监护人群的结论。     

管道内天然气爆炸火焰及压力波传播规律实验研究

天燃气安全不仅仅局限在企业内部,而是面向全社会,关系到社会稳定和市民生命财产安全。随着天然气市场开拓和广泛利用,庞大的管网系统和多样的用气环境给安全工作提出了更高的要求。采用理论分析、实验研究相结合的方法研究了管道内天然气爆炸火焰及压力波的传播规律。应用直径为700mm,长度为93m的管道进行了三次天然气爆炸传播实验。得出爆源点最大压力值并不是整个爆炸过程的最大值;压力波最大压力值在爆源点附近先降低,然后上升到某一峰值之后再逐渐衰减;最大压力值在衰减过程中不是单调衰减,有点起伏;随着天然气浓度的增大,其爆炸平均升压速率反而减小;随着天然气浓度的增大,其爆炸平均升压速率反而在减小;爆源附近火焰传播速度较小,上升到某一峰值后逐渐衰减。     

N2和CO2抑制煤燃烧火焰特性对比试验研究

为了研究N_2和CO_2气体灭火剂在抑制煤明火燃烧特性方面的不同,通过搭建受限空间煤明火燃烧试验,分别开展了11.97%、16.81%、20.76%的N_2和10.79%、14.89%、20.32%的CO_2作用下煤明火燃烧抑制试验。鉴于火焰表面积变化与热释放速率变化呈正相关,基于火焰图像分析法开展试验研究。试验过程中,首先,通过数码摄像仪记录不同体积分数惰性气体作用下煤燃烧火焰面积的变化,然后利用Matlab软件进行火焰图像特征提取和"对比度增强"预处理,消除图像记录过程中存在的噪声,以便于有效进行火焰目标识别;其次,基于"阈值法"原理,利用Image-Pro Plus软件对预处理过的火焰目标进行识别和计算,进而实时获得试验过程中火焰表面积;最后,使用小波变换理论对火焰表面积变化曲线进行消噪处理,以获得火焰表面积变化趋势及主要波动信息。结果表明,CO_2比N_2具有更好的熄灭煤明火燃烧的能力,CO_2作用下煤火火焰表面积呈现指数下降,而N_2作用下呈现直线下降,且CO_2的灭火时间比N_2缩短了25%以上。该试验结果明确了N_2和CO_2在熄灭煤明火特性上的不同,弥补了CO_2仅比N_2具有更好的抑爆特性的认识。