Gas leakage consequence modeling for buried gas pipelines

One of conservation transfer methods for such widely-used gases as natural gas and hydrogen is buried pipelines. Safety of these pipelines is of great importance due to potential risks posed by inefficiencies of the pipelines. Therefore, an accurate understanding of release and movement characteristics of the leaked gas, i.e. distribution and speed within soil, the release to the ground surface, the movement of hydrogen gas through the ground, gas underground diffusion, gas dispersion in atmosphere, and following consequences, are very important in order to determine underground dispersion risks. In the present study, consequences of gas leakage within soil were evaluated in two sub-models, i.e. near-field and far-field, and a comprehensive model was proposed in order to ensure safety of buried gas supply pipelines. Near-field model which is related to soil and ground and its output is the gas released at different points and times from ground surface and it was adopted as input of far-field sub-model which is dispersion model in atmosphere or an open space under the surface. Validation of near-field sub-model was performed by the experimental data obtained by Okamoto et al. (2014) on full-scale hydrogen leakage and then, possible scenarios for far-field sub-model were determined.     

Integration of fuzzy reliability analysis and consequence simulation to conduct risk assessment

Losses of containment within the natural gas network, located in most populated areas, could cause environmental damage, injuries, or even death. Accordingly, it is pivotal to adopt proper approaches to assess and mitigate the risk arising from potential losses. Within this context, it is required to exploit solid reliability and consequence analysis techniques. To this end, this paper presents a methodology established on the integration of a Fuzzy Bayesian Network and consequence simulation. The Bayesian Network is more flexible and realistic than classic approaches because it can consider conditional probabilities and prior information. Furthermore, Leaky Noisy-OR Gates are exploited to allow an easier filling of the Conditional Probability Tables. This task is performed through expert elicitation, adopting Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set Theory and Similarity Aggregation Method. Finally, the severity analysis is performed via a software, named Safeti, which provides an accurate evaluation of the consequences. To show the applicability of the framework, a pressure regulator of a Natural Gas Regulating and Metering Station is considered as case study. The proposed approach can assist asset managers in evaluating the risk arising from the operations, and, accordingly, it can guide them in making maintenance-related decisions to assure the safety of the operations.     

基于资源分类的资源耗竭度及当量系数

资源耗竭潜力因子ADP(Abiotic Depletion Potential)是目前评价产品生命周期资源消耗水平的常用因子,但不够细致全面,存在一定的局限性.考虑到资源特点多样性,将资源分为可再生资源、可回收的不可再生资源和不可回收的不可再生资源3类,并针对性地提出资源耗竭度RDD(Resource Depleon Degree)和资源耗竭当量系数EF(Equivalent Factor)的计算公式,构建评价框架对自然资源耗竭性进行分类评价.将评价方法运用于建筑行业某住宅,得到其物化阶段5种资源消耗水平,验证了该评价方法的可行性及RDD因子相对于ADP因子在资源耗竭评价方面的优越性.     

突发性环境污染事故应急监测分析

随着我国经济水平的提高,人们对生活质量的要求也逐渐提高,因此政府也在逐渐加大经济建设和资源开发力度,力求满足人们对生活水平的要求。但是近年来由于资源开采过多,环境的污染程度逐渐加重,由于各种污染物质的相互作用,突发性的环境污染事故发生的次数也逐渐增多。山西是我国的能源大省,拥有很多重工业的基地,产生了大量的工业污染,对水体、大气以及土地都产生了不同程度的污染,引发了突发环境污染事故的出现。本文立足于山西突发性环境污染事故应急监测的现状,分析了山西省在应急监测上所存在的问题,并提出了相应的解决措施,力求降低突发环境污染事故的影响。     

On risk-based maintenance: A comprehensive review of three approaches to track the impact of consequence modelling for predicting maintenance actions

Since gas plants are progressively increasing near urban areas, a comprehensive tool to plan maintenance and reduce the risk arising from their operations is required. To this end, a comparison of three Risk-Based Maintenance methodologies able to point out maintenance priorities for the most critical components, is presented in this paper. Moreover, while the literature is mostly focused on probabilistic analysis, a particular attention is directed towards consequence analysis throughout this study. The first developed technique is characterized by a Hierarchical Bayesian Network to perform the occurrence analysis and a Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis to assess the magnitude of the adverse outcomes. The second approach is a Quantitative Risk Analysis carried out via a software named Safeti. Finally, another software called Synergi Plant is adopted for the third methodology, which provides a Risk-Based Inspection plan, through a semiquantitative risk analysis. The proposed study can assist asset manager in adopting the most appropriate methodology to their context, while highlighting priority components. To demonstrate the applicability of the approaches and compare their rankings, a Natural Gas Regulating and Measuring Station is considered as case study. The results showed that the most suited method strongly depends on the available data.     

Risk analysis of a cross-regional toxic chemical disaster by using the integrated mesoscale and microscale consequence analysis model

The rapidly growing capacity and scale of the world's petrochemical industries have forced many plants to have an even larger amount of hazardous substances. Once a serious leak occurs, the outcome of the effect zone could be very large or even uncontrollable just like the Bhopal disaster. In order to assess the risk of a cross-regional damage, this study aims to develop a model that can combine the benefits of both CFD model of the microscale simulation and the Gaussian dispersion model of the mesoscale simulation.The developed integrated model is employed on a toxic chemical tank leak accident of a process plant within an industrial park in order to explore the consequences and the risk of the toxic gas dispersion on three different scopes; one is the accident site, the second is the long-distance transmission route of the mesoscale area and the third is a target city. According to the simulation's results, it is obvious that the complexity of the structure surrounding the leaking tank will eventually affect the maximum ground concentration, the cloud shapes and cloud dilution rate, while the released gas is under dispersion. On the other hand, since the simple Gaussian dispersion model doesn't consider the above impacts, its calculation results will have many differences as compared to the realistic situation. This integrated model can be used as a tool for estimating the risk on a microscale or mesoscale areas and it can produce better results when an environmental impact analysis is required for a larger hazardous chemical process.     

工艺流程中氨泄漏事故后果分类研究

氨是重要的化工原料和产品,工艺流程中氨主要以氨气、液氨、氨溶液三种状态存在。氨气、液氨、氨溶液理化特性及危险特性不同,可能造成的事故后果类型不同,分别进行三种相态下氨泄漏的事故情景分析。氨气泄漏主要考虑蒸气云爆炸、中毒,液氨泄漏主要考虑沸腾液体扩展蒸气爆炸、蒸气云爆炸、中毒,氨溶液泄漏主要考虑中毒和腐蚀。运用半球模型和高斯模型计算某尿素企业液氨球罐泄漏的危害范围。半球泄漏模型计算方法较简单,但没有考虑氨本身性质及气象条件等因素;高斯模型计算过程较复杂,其计算结果与风速、大气稳定度等条件相关。该两种方法计算结果对预防氨泄漏事故发生和氨泄漏事故预警均具有一定参考意义,如何提高模拟分析的准确度是今后研究工作的重点。     

An integrated EDIB model for probabilistic risk analysis of natural gas pipeline leakage accidents

Natural gas pipeline construction is developing rapidly worldwide to meet the needs of international and domestic energy transportation. Meanwhile, leakage accidents occur to natural gas pipelines frequently due to mechanical failure, personal operation errors, etc., and induce huge economic property loss, environmental damages, and even casualties. However, few models have been developed to describe the evolution process of natural gas pipeline leakage accidents (NGPLA) and assess their corresponding consequences and influencing factors quantitatively. Therefore, this study aims to propose a comprehensive risk analysis model, named EDIB (ET-DEMATEL-ISM-BN) model, which can be employed to analyze the accident evolution process of NGPLA and conduct probabilistic risk assessments of NGPLA with the consideration of multiple influencing factors. In the proposed integrated model, event tree analysis (ET) is employed to analyze the evolution process of NGPLA before the influencing factors of accident evolution can be identified with the help of accident reports. Then, the combination of DEMATEL (Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) and ISM (Interpretative Structural Modeling) is used to determine the relationship among accident evolution events of NGPLA and obtain a hierarchical network, which can be employed to support the construction of a Bayesian network (BN) model. The prior conditional probabilities of the BN model were determined based on the data analysis of 773 accident reports or expert judgment with the help of the Dempster-Shafer evidence theory. Finally, the developed BN model was used to conduct accident evolution scenario analysis and influencing factor sensitivity analysis with respect to secondary accidents (fire, vapor cloud explosion, and asphyxia or poisoning). The results show that ignition is the most critical influencing factor leading to secondary accidents. The occurrence time and occurrence location of NGPLA mainly affect the efficiency of emergency response and further influence the accident consequence. Meanwhile, the weight ranking of economic loss, environmental influence, and casualties on social influence is determined with respect to NGPLAs.     

Quantitative risk analysis of urban natural gas pipeline networks using geographical information systems

This paper presents a novel quantitative risk analysis process for urban natural gas pipeline networks using geographical information systems (GIS). The process incorporates an assessment of failure rates of integrated pipeline networks, a quantitative analysis model of accident consequences, and assessments of individual and societal risks. Firstly, the failure rates of the pipeline network are calculated using empirical formulas influenced by parameters such as external interference, corrosion, construction defects, and ground movements. Secondly, the impacts of accidents due to gas leakage, diffusion, fires, and explosions are analyzed by calculating the area influenced by poisoning, burns, and deaths. Lastly, based on the previous analyses, individual risks and social risks are calculated. The application of GIS technology helps strengthen the quantitative risk analysis (QRA) model and allows construction of a QRA system for urban gas pipeline networks that can aid pipeline management staff in demarcating high risk areas requiring more frequent inspections.     

CNG加气站事故后果分析方法研究

根据CNG加气站系统运行的实际情况,将CNG加气站中易发生泄漏的设备分为管道阀门、挠性连接器、压缩机、储气设备、放散管5类。建立了CNG泄漏的事件树,将CNG加气站的事故后果类型概括为喷射火、闪火、蒸气云爆炸。总结了CNG加气站事故后果的计算模型,采用美国环保局的ALOHA软件确定事故后果的影响范围。综合运用该两种方法对喷射火和蒸气云爆炸的事故案例进行对比研究,结果表明,计算结果基本一致。该两种事故后果分析方法为CNG加气站安全管理和安全规划提供依据。     

Integration of data analytics with cloud services for safer process systems,application examples and implementation challenges

Emerging sensors, computers, network technologies, and connected platforms result potentially in an immeasurable collection of data within plant operations. This creates the possibility of solving problems innovatively. Because most of the data appear to be unstructured or semi-structured, organizations shall design and adopt new strategies. Further, workflow architectures with data analytics are needed including machine learning tools and artificial intelligence techniques before proto-type solutions can be developed. We shall discuss several prospects of using (big) data analytics integrated with cloud services to produce solutions for improving plant operations. The paper outlines the vision and a systematic framework highlighting the data analytics lifecycle in the area of plant operation, process safety, and environmental protection. Four rather diverse example case studies are demonstrated including (1) deep learning-based predictive maintenance monitoring modeling, (2) Natural Language Processing (NLP) for mining text, (3) barrier assessment for dynamic risk mapping (DRA), and (4) correlation development for sustainability indicators. It further discusses the challenges in both research and implementation of proposed solutions in the industry. It is concluded that a well-balanced integrated approach including machine supporting decisions integrated with expert knowledge and available information from various key resources is required to enable more informed policy, strategic, and operational risk decision-making leading to safer, reliable and more efficient operations.     

天然气净化厂管道泄漏H2S毒害后果影响因素数值分析

为定量评估高含硫天然气开敞空间泄漏过程中风速、风向、泄漏速度、泄漏方向对毒害后果的影响,以天然气净化厂管道泄漏为例,采用正交实验设计方法设计实验场景,基于CFD进行泄漏扩散仿真实验,以吸入剂量、毒害面积、最大毒害面积到达时间、毒害体积、最大毒害体积到达时间作为毒害效应指标,分析不同因素对毒害后果的影响,并提出后果控制建议。研究结果表明:采用CFD方法进行泄漏扩散仿真能够还原泄漏扩散过程;利用正交实验进行影响因素分析可以节省实验资源、获取准确结果;风向和风速对各后果指标均比较敏感,在天然气净化厂建设过程中应着重考虑风的影响。仿真与正交实验结合的方法能够有效评估毒害后果影响因素的敏感性,可为毒害气体泄漏风险防控提供指导。     

Environmental evaluation for workplace violence in healthcare and social services

PROBLEM: Federal policy recommends environmental strategies as part of a comprehensive workplace violence program in healthcare and social services. The purpose of this project was to contribute specific, evidence-based guidance to the healthcare and social services employer communities regarding the use of environmental design to prevent violence. METHOD: A retrospective record review was conducted of environmental evaluations that were performed by an architect in two Participatory Action Research (PAR) projects for workplace violence prevention in 2000 and, in the second project in 2005. Ten facility environmental evaluation reports along with staff focus group reports from these facilities were analyzed to categorize environmental risk factors for Type II workplace violence. RESULTS: Findings were grouped according to their impact on access control, the ability to observe patients (natural surveillance), patient and worker safety (territoriality), and activity support. DISCUSSION: The environmental assessment findings reveal design and security issues that, if corrected, would improve safety and security of staff, patients, and visitors and reduce fear and unpredictability. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Healthcare and social assistance employers can improve the effectiveness of violence prevention efforts by including an environmental assessment with complementary hazard controls.     

Multi-objective synthesis of a company's supply network by accounting for several environmental footprints

This contribution presents the multi-objective synthesis of a company's supply network by integrating renewables (biomass and other waste, and solar energy) and accounting for several environmental footprints. The synthesis is based on a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem. A previously developed model by the authors for achieving energy self-sufficiency by integrating renewables into companies’ supply networks has been extended for the evaluation of environmental impacts, such as energy, carbon, nitrogen, and water footprints. The achievement of an energy self-sufficient supply network has been considered whilst significantly reducing environmental impacts.The presented model is applied to multinational poultry-meat producing company. Direct (burdening) and indirect (unburdening) effects that form total effects on the environment are considered for the evaluation of environmental footprints. The results showed significant unburdening of the environment in terms of carbon and nitrogen footprints but, however, higher burdening in terms of the water footprint.     

Study on leak-acoustics generation mechanism for natural gas pipelines

In order to figure out the principles of acoustic leak detection for natural gas pipelines, a study on the leak-acoustics generation mechanism is carried out. The aero-acoustics generation mechanism is analyzed and when leakage occurs the wave equations of sonic sources are developed. The leak-acoustics generated by the quadrupole and dipole sonic sources are then simulated to obtain the laws of the acoustic characteristics. The simulation data are compared with the experimental data to verify the simulation accuracy under variable operating conditions. The results show that the quadrupoles and the dipoles generated by turbulent fluctuations cause leak-acoustics; the main component of pressure perturbations acquired by the dynamic pressure sensor is acoustic perturbations; both the simulation method and the experimental method can be applied to study the leak-acoustics generation mechanism of natural gas pipelines.     

An innovative and comprehensive approach for the consequence analysis of liquid hydrogen vessel explosions

Hydrogen is one of the most suitable solutions to replace hydrocarbons in the future. Hydrogen consumption is expected to grow in the next years. Hydrogen liquefaction is one of the processes that allows for increase of hydrogen density and it is suggested when a large amount of substance must be stored or transported. Despite being a clean fuel, its chemical and physical properties often arise concerns about the safety of the hydrogen technologies. A potentially critical scenario for the liquid hydrogen (LH₂) tanks is the catastrophic rupture causing a consequent boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE), with consequent overpressure, fragments projection and eventually a fireball. In this work, all the BLEVE consequence typologies are evaluated through theoretical and analytical models. These models are validated with the experimental results provided by the BMW care manufacturer safety tests conducted during the 1990's. After the validation, the most suitable methods are selected to perform a blind prediction study of the forthcoming LH₂ BLEVE experiments of the Safe Hydrogen fuel handling and Use for Efficient Implementation (SH₂IFT) project. The models drawbacks together with the uncertainties and the knowledge gap in LH₂ physical explosions are highlighted. Finally, future works on the modelling activity of the LH₂ BLEVE are suggested.     

Developing a risk-based maintenance model for a Natural Gas Regulating and Metering Station using Bayesian Network

During the last decades, the vital role of maintenance activities in industries including natural gas distribution system has cleared up progressively. High costs may induce to reduced maintenance and, in turn, lead to a lower availability and high risk of undesired events. Therefore, a probabilistic model, based on an acceptable level of risk, is required to avoid under and over estimation of maintenance time interval. This paper presents an advanced Risk-based Maintenance (RBM) methodology to optimize maintenance time schedule. Bayesian Network (BN) is applied to model the risk and the associated uncertainty. The developed method can assist the asset managers to work out the exact maintenance time for each component according to the risk level. To demonstrate and discuss the applicability of the methodology, a case study of Natural Gas Reduction and Measuring Station in Italy is considered. Results prove that the most critical components are the calculator and pilots, while the most reliable one is the odorization. Furthermore, the pressure and temperature gauge (PTG), the remote control system (RCS) and the meter are predicted as the components that require less time to transit from minor risk to catastrophic risk.     

考虑设备跌落的天然气计量站失效后果计算方法

天然气计量站阀门多且检定流程中频繁使用桁车,常规天然气站场的失效后果计算方法难以评估由此带来的影响及后果。为此,在API 581标准基础上,考虑阀门截断作用对机械损伤事故的影响,选取管段组储气量为最大天然气泄漏量,并以动量定理为依据,研究了桁车失效所引发的设备跌落事故,建立了潜在影响面积计算模型;将影响面积内损伤的管段及设备、泄漏的天然气、伤亡的人员等折算为经济损失,形成了考虑设备跌落的天然气计量站失效后果计算方法;将该方法应用于某天然气计量站。研究结果表明:设备跌落事故损失金额为机械损伤事故的3倍;当考虑设备跌落事故时,管段风险等级由低级上升为中低级。研究结果可为天然气计量站失效后果评价提供理论支撑。     

Safety assessment of natural gas storage tank using similarity aggregation method based fuzzy fault tree analysis (SAM-FFTA) approach

Fault tree analysis (FTA) is an important method to analyze the failure causes of engineering systems and evaluate their safety and reliability. In practical application, the probabilities of bottom events in FTA are usually estimated according to the opinions of experts or engineers because it is difficult to obtain sufficient probability data of bottom events in fault tree. However, in many cases, there are many experts with different opinions or different forms of opinions. How to reasonably aggregate expert opinions is a challenge for the engineering application of fault tree method. In this study, a fuzzy fault tree analysis approach based on similarity aggregation method (SAM-FFTA) has been proposed. This method combines SAM with fuzzy set theory and can handled comprehensively diverse forms of opinions of different experts to obtain the probabilities of bottom events in fault tree. Finally, for verifying the applicability and flexibility of the proposed method, a natural gas spherical storage tank with a volume of 10,000 m³ was analyzed, and the importance of each bottom event was determined. The results show that flame, lightning spark, electrostatic spark, impact spark, mechanical breakdown and deformation/breakage have the most significant influence on the explosion of the natural gas spherical storage tank.     

液氯储罐瞬时泄漏扩散质量浓度分布规律与中毒后果评价

液氯储罐一旦发生泄漏,容易在大气中快速扩散,其扩散速度受到泄漏量、外界风速等条件的影响。为了研究不同风速和泄漏量对氯气扩散规律的影响,分别在泄漏量为2 kg、5 kg,外界风速为2 m/s、5 m/s的条件下,采用Fluent软件模拟了氯气储罐瞬时泄漏后氯气质量浓度随时间的分布规律,并结合氯气的致死浓度,对氯气扩散区域最大质量浓度分布及其毒性致命损伤进行了分析。结果表明,氯气扩散初期,云团浓度较高,重气效应比较明显,随时间增加云团逐渐增大。泄漏量越大,氯气的扩散速度和致死区范围越大,毒性致命损伤时间越短;风速越大,致死区的影响距离越大,但致死区的影响时间大幅度缩短,能有效降低氯气的中毒危害。