A quantitative risk management framework for dust and hybrid mixture explosions

Dust and hybrid-mixture explosions continue to occur in industrial processes that handle fine powders and flammable gases. Considerable research is therefore conducted throughout the world with the objective of both preventing the occurrence and mitigating the consequences of such events. In the current work, research has been undertaken to help move the field of dust explosion prevention and mitigation from its current emphasis on hazards (with an accompanying reliance on primarily engineered safety features) to a focus on risk (with an accompanying reliance on hierarchical, risk-based, decision-making tools). Employing the principles of quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of dust and hybrid-mixture explosions, a methodological framework for the management of these risks has been developed.The QRA framework is based on hazard identification via credible accident scenarios for dust explosions, followed by probabilistic fault-tree analysis (using Relex – Reliability Excellence – software) and consequence severity analysis (using DESC – Dust Explosion Simulation Code – software). Identification of risk reduction measures in the framework is accomplished in a hierarchical manner by considering inherent safety measures, passive and active engineered devices, and procedural measures (in that order). An industrial case study is presented to show how inherent safety measures such as dust minimization and dust/process moderation can be helpful in reducing dust and hybrid-mixture explosion consequences in a 400-m³ polyethylene storage silo.     

An optimal level of dust explosion risk management: Framework and application

The current research provides guidance on the prevention and mitigation of dust explosion using a Quantitative Risk Management Framework (QRMF). Using concepts drawn from previous studies, the framework consists of three main steps: (i) a new combined safety management protocol, (ii) the use of DESC (Dust Explosion Simulation Code) and FTA (Fault Tree Analysis) to assess explosion consequences and likelihood, respectively, and (iii) application of the hierarchy of controls (inherent, engineered and procedural safety). QRMF assessment of an industrial case study showed that the original process was at high risk. DESC simulations and Probit equations determined the destructive percentages. FTAs revealed high probabilities of explosion occurrence; in addition, detailed individual and societal risks calculations were made, before and after the framework was applied. Based on the hierarchy of controls technique, the framework showed significant risk reduction to the point where the residual risk was acceptable for the process.     

Analyzing system safety and risks under uncertainty using a bow-tie diagram: An innovative approach

A bow-tie diagram combines a fault tree and an event tree to represent the risk control parameters on a common platform for mitigating an accident. Quantitative analysis of a bow-tie is still a major challenge since it follows the traditional assumptions of fault and event tree analyses. The assumptions consider the crisp probabilities and “independent” relationships for the input events. The crisp probabilities for the input events are often missing or hard to come by, which introduces data uncertainty. The assumption of “independence” introduces model uncertainty. Elicitation of expert's knowledge for the missing data may provide an alternative; however, such knowledge incorporates uncertainties and may undermine the credibility of risk analysis.This paper attempts to accommodate the expert's knowledge to overcome missing data and incorporate fuzzy set and evidence theory to assess the uncertainties. Further, dependency coefficient-based fuzzy and evidence theory approaches have been developed to address the model uncertainty for bow-tie analysis. In addition, a method of sensitivity analysis is proposed to predict the most contributing input events in the bow-tie analysis. To demonstrate the utility of the approaches in industrial application, a bow-tie diagram of the BP Texas City accident is developed and analyzed.     

Phytoremediation of arsenic in mining‐contaminated areas: The future of transgenic technology

A considerable number of contaminated mining sites in Europe and other parts of the world pose environmental hazards. Given the multifaceted benefits of phytoremediation, screening of plant communities grown in contaminated areas is being conducted to identify hyperaccumulating plant species. A few arsenic (As) hyperaccumulating plants are found in tropical countries; however, generally, they are not grown in contaminated mining sites of cold and temperate countries (Europe and other parts of the world). The transgenic plants identified to date are not believed to be suitable for commercial use of phytoremediation. A few tolerant plant species in mining sites that are found to have elevated As levels primarily concentrate As in their roots. The remediation potential of many of these tolerant plants is limited because of their slow growth and low biomass. Therefore, phytostabilization of contaminated mining sites using tolerant plant species with high biomass and a more extensive root system is the only solution to date in Europe and some other parts of the world. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Does ICT lessen CO2 emissions for fast-emerging economies? An application of the heterogeneous panel estimations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study examines the effects of electricity consumption, financial development, economic growth, trade and ICT on CO2 emissions in the...     

Palm oil and its wastes as bioenergy sources: a comprehensive review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Due to global warming and increasing price of fossil fuel, scientists all over the world have been trying to find reliable alternative fuels. One of...     

Water,sanitation, hygiene and waste disposal practices as COVID-19 response strategy: insights from Bangladesh

Environment, Development and Sustainability - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global emergence, and the absence of a proven vaccine or medicine has led to the implementation of measures to...     

Do credit constraints affect the technical efficiency of Boro rice growers? Evidence from the District Pabna in Bangladesh

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study analyzes the effects of credit constraints on technical efficiency of Boro rice growers in the district of Pabna in Bangladesh. Using a...     

Does foreign direct investments impair the ecological footprint? New evidence from the panel quantile regression

This study examines the impact of foreign direct investments on ecological footprint along with other explanatory variables of 92 countries from the year 2001 to 2016. Here, we applied the panel quantile regression model to meet the purpose of our study as it considers unobserved country heterogeneity, unlike other statistical methods. The study reveals that foreign direct investment has a positive relationship with the ecological footprint in each quantile except one, which proves the constancy of the pollution haven hypothesis. Moreover, we also tried to detect the impact of economic growth, manufacturing value-added, the percentage of world exports, and institutional quality on the ecological footprint in this study. The findings of this study also reveal that economic growth and manufacturing value-added are negatively associated with the ecological footprint. With respect to the percentage of world exports and institutional quality, we found a positive relationship with the ecological footprint. From the result of our study, different policy implications have been proposed for host countries and foreign investors on improving the economy through foreign direct investment with minimal ecological footprint.

     

Waste battery disposal and recycling behavior: a study on the Australian perspective

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Consumer behavior is a critical consideration for the development of sustainable waste management systems, including waste batteries, which pose a...