Hydrogen explosion incident mitigation in steam reforming units through enhanced inspection and forecasting corrosion tools implementation

Hydrogen (H₂) explosion effects recently examined, are confirming the devastating loss scenarios to humans, environment, assets, and associated business interruption. H₂ production is a core process in refineries used in further process steps. Steam reforming of natural gas or a mix with naphtha or LPG is a common hydrogen production technique, where the latest technologies have adopted enhanced metallurgies to minimize explosion risk and the associated maintenance cost following plant degradation owing to corrosion effects. However, corrosion rates are still high in specific areas of piping and process equipment. The aim of this paper is to present a methodology based on semi-quantitative RBI modeling according to regulations by API and recent EN standards, adopting a family of linear regression forecasting models that depict the yearly corrosion rate (per corrosion loop) of a hydrogen production steam reforming unit; this is done under different operating conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, and fluid speed), metallurgy and other related physicochemical variables. The model is based on the examination of both ultrasonic wall thinning measurements and the examination of quantitative crosslinking total corrosion effects along with the physicochemical properties prevailing in different plant corrosion loops. The outcome of the regression analysis is an expansive family of multivariable equations describing, with a defined accuracy, the yearly corrosion rate and associated lifespan forecast per corrosion loop, and per examined part. These equations were further utilized in a custom-made database that can be used as an additional loss prevention tool by the hydrogen production unit management team. Evaluation results regarding the tool efficiency are presented in the following of this paper.     

Fused CFD-interpolation model for real-time prediction of hazardous gas dispersion in emergency rescue

Accidental releases of hazardous gases in chemical industries can pose great threats to public security. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is commonly applied to predict gas dispersion in complex structured areas. It can provide good accuracy but it is too time-consuming to be used in emergency response. To reduce computation time while keep acceptable accuracy, this paper proposes several fused CFD-interpolation models which combine CFD model with different interpolation methods. Spline, linear and nearest interpolation methods are used. A CFD simulations database is created ahead of time which can be quickly recalled for emergency usage and unknown situations can be predicted instantly by interpolation methods instead of time-consuming CFD model. Fused models were applied to a case study involving a hypothetical propane release with varying conditions and validated against CFD model. The validation shows that prediction accuracy of these fusion models is acceptable. Among these models, CFD-Spline interpolation model performs best. It is faster than CFD model by a factor of 75 and is potentially a good method to be applied to real-time prediction.     

A spatial-temporal approach for corrosion prediction in time-varying marine environment

Corrosion in seawater is simultaneously influenced by multiple environmental factors including dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, salinity, pH, and so on. These factors vary along with time and are different in different locations. The spatial-temporal variation of the actual marine environment cannot be ignored in corrosion prediction models. This paper proposes a new method for corrosion prediction in the actual time-varying marine environment which includes the design of experiments, calibration of acceleration models, and the modeling of marine environment. Acceleration models capture the effects of environmental factors and acts as the link between the environment and the corrosion process. The marine environment is described with the Kriging spatial-temporal model. Then the proposed method is used to give corrosion predictions for metals in different locations and vessels travel in different waters. This method could be helpful for corrosion resistance evaluation and environment corrosivity assessment.     

Emergency evacuation model assuming leakage of toxic substances in a chemical plant

Preparedness of emergency evacuation for the leakage of toxic substances in chemical plants is very important in order to reduce damage. In order to implement an emergency evacuation properly, it is necessary to comprehensively and concretely determine the conditions of the leakage and atmospheric conditions and predict the consequences of the dispersed gases. Repeated training for emergencies is also essential. In order to realize effective evacuation, a prediction model of the evacuation area that anyone can use to obtain the same results both accurately and promptly is developed in the present study. The prediction model is designed such that the wind speed and atmospheric conditions are automatically set, and the leakage rate is the only input parameter, so that anyone can use the model easily. In addition, the model can also predict the atmospheric parameters for up to 3 h and can calculate the evacuation distance so that smooth evacuation can be achieved for changing atmospheric conditions. Finally, the evacuation area is defined by statistically analysed wind fluctuations, and a series of emergency evacuation measures is implemented.     

A review of research on China’s carbon emission peak and its forcing mechanism

In order to make further steps in dealing with climate change, China proposed to peak carbon dioxide emissions by about 2030 and to make best efforts for the peaking early. The carbon emission peak target (CEPT) must result in a forcing mechanism on China’s economic transition. This paper, by following the logical order from “research on carbon emission history” to “carbon emission trend prediction,” from “research on paths of realizing peak” to “peak restraint research,” provides a general review of current status and development trend of researches on China’s carbon emission and its peak value. Furthermore, this paper also reviews the basic theories and specific cases of the forcing mechanism. Based on the existing achievements and development trends in this field, the following research directions that can be further expanded are put forward. First, from the perspective of long-term strategy of sustainable development, we should analyze and construct the forcing mechanism of CEPT in a reverse thinking way. Second, economic transition paths under the forcing mechanism should be systematically studied. Third, by constructing a large-scale policy evaluation model, the emission reduction performance and economic impact of a series of policy measures adopted during the transition process should be quantitatively evaluated.     

长江中游荆南三口河系径流演变特征及趋势预测

以荆南三口五站1951~2015年实测径流数据,利用Mark-Kendall趋势突变检验法、累计距平、Morlet复小波等方法分析三口河系径流演变特征;选用ARIMA模型和时间序列模型预测荆南三口河系径流演变趋势。结果表明:(1)荆南三口径流年际变化较大,径流年内分配不均匀,5~10月为丰水期,11月~次年4月为枯水期,呈现出明显季节差异;(2)三口径流总体上呈下降趋势,其中以1959~1980年径流下降趋势最为明显,其趋势幅度p的绝对值达到了698.313,2003~2015年径流下降趋势较为缓慢,无明显趋势,但其p的绝对值仍达到了166.524;(3)运用Mark-Kendall突变检验及累计距平法共同检验,三口径流突变年份为1970年、1985年;(4)1951~2015年间三口径流变化过程主要存在48~58 a、20~28 a、10~18 a 3个尺度的周期变化,以55 a、24 a、14 a为周期中心,其小波方差显示三口径流序列第一、第二、第三主周期分别为55 a、24 a、14 a;(5)三口径流在2016~2030年呈现出先减小后增大的趋势,即2016~2018年为波动增减期,2019~2026年前后为枯水期,2026~2030年为丰水期。     

2008年北京市大气质量的灰色预测

运用灰色关联分析方法对北京市大气主要污染物质进行了分析,得出PM10、TSP和SO2是主要污染因子。在此基础上,运用灰色系统理论建模方法,分别建立主要污染因子的预测模型。运用该模型预测出到2008年北京市的TSP和PM10仍不能达到国家二级标准。在今后几年内降低颗粒物的污染是北京市大气污染控制工作的首要任务。     

城市面源污染特性及污染负荷预测模型研究

通过分析城市面源污染的来源和污染特征,并针对城市土地利用和下垫面类型特点,建立城市面源污染预测模型,研究探讨城市降雨径流及污染负荷预测模拟和迁移规律。所建模型已成功地应用于武汉市汉阳地区城市面源污染控制技术研究,获得了满意的结果。该模型可为城市水环境规划、面源控制和管理研究提供科学手段。     

引哈济党工程对苏干湖湿地天然植被的影响

根据Processing MODFLOW模型对调水后大苏干湖区面积和湿地地下水位的影响预测结果,初步确立引哈济党工程适宜调水量,并在各调水方案的基础上,以干旱区天然植被与地下水的定量关系为依据,分析预测地下水位下降对湿地天然植被的影响。结果表明:不同工况引水50 a后,大苏干湖湖泊面积减少均不超过8%;湿地地下水水位0 m~1 m区面积将持续下降,最大减少17 km2;湿地天然植被部分将发生演替,主要由湿生植被向中、旱生植被演变,影响集中在两湖间河道湿地及湿地外围边缘地带。     

平顶山市湛河水水质预报模型研究

运用随机理论－－马尔科夫过程预报平顶山市湛河水质,并通过平顶山市湛河近十年的水质监测数据验证了模型的可靠性,对2000年前后湛河水质进行预报,为使2000年淮河流域水质变清,给平顶山市的管理层提供了一定的理论依据。