Chemical processing loss prevention

A number of risk indices have been developed over the years as chemical process loss prevention and risk management tools. Many of these are based on the inherent characteristics of the processes, and they can be used as measures of process inherent safety. In general, these indices measure a single aspect of inherent safety, and it is necessary to use several indices to obtain a full understanding of the overall process characteristics. 

Schulz, N., Pilz, V. and Schacke, H.. 1983. Controlling thermal instabilities in chemical process. Loss Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Process litdustries. Volume 3 — Chemical Process Hazards. Symposium Series No. 82. B1 (IChemE, Rugby, UK). 

Institution of Chemical Engineers, Loss Prevention Bulletin Articles and Case Histories from Process Industries throughout the World, vol. 078, Rugby, U.K., Dec. 1987, pp. 26-27. 

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) sponsors over a dozen continuing education courses that focus on process loss prevention. Each of these courses is usually offered two or three times a year. 

Institution of Chemical Engineers. Loss prevention bulletin articles and case histories from process industries throughout the world, vol. 32. Institution of Chemical Engineers. Rugby, UK. 1981. p. 13-14. 

Safety, Health, and Loss Prevention in Chemical Processes Student Problems Instmctor s Guide for Undergraduate Engineering Curricula Ha2ard Evaluation Procedures, with Worked Examples, 2nd ed. 

Practical separation techniques for hquid particles in gases are discussed. Since gas-borne particulates include both hquid and sohd particles, many devices used for dry-dust collection (discussed in Sec. 17 under Gas-Sohds Separation ) can be adapted to liquid-particle separation. Also, the basic subject of particle mechanics is covered in Sec. 6. Separation of liquid particulates is frequently desirable in chemical processes such as in countercurrent-stage contacting because hquid entrainment with the gas partially reduces true countercurrency. Separation before entering another process step may be needed to prevent corrosion, to prevent yield loss, or to prevent equipment damage or malfunc tion. Separation before the atmospheric release of gases may be necessaiy to prevent environmental problems and for regula-toiy compliance. 

Reactive Chemicals Reviews The process chemistry is reviewed for evidence of exotherms, shock sensitivity, and other insta-bihty, with emphasis on possible exothermic reactions. It is especially important to consider pressure effects— Pressure blows up people, not temperature The pumose of this review is to prevent unexpected and uncontrolled chemical reactions. Reviewers should be knowledgeable people in the field of reactive chemicals and include people from loss prevention, manufacturing, and research. 

Puranik, S. A., K. K. Hathi, and R. Sengupta (1990). Prevention of Hazards Through Technological Alternatives. Safety and Loss Prevention in the Chemical and Oil Processing Industries, Qctober 23-27,1989, Singapore, 581-587. IChemE Symposium Series, No. 120. Rugby, Warwickshire, U. K. The Institution of Chemical Engineers. 

T. A. Kletz, Nitrogen—Our Most Dangerous Gas, Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Loss Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Process Industries, Swiss Society of Chemical Industries, 1980, p. 1518. 

Davenport, J. A. 1983. A Study of Vapor Cloud Incidents—An Update. Fourth Interna-tional Symposium on Loss Prevention and Safety in the Process Industries. European Federation of Chemical Engineering, Sept. 1983, Harrogate, England. 

In the case of Cleanser Chemicals, Inc., the company formed a multifunctional team to assess commonalities across its existing Safety, Loss Prevention, Security, Medical, Industrial Hygiene and Environment functions. As a result of this assessment, many common requirements and potential work processes were identified, including ... 

The first step in minimizing accidents in a chemical phuit is to evaluate the facility for potential fires, explosions, and vulnerability to other liazards, particularly those of a chemical miture. This calls for a detailed study of plant site and layout, materials, processes, operations, equipment, and training, plus an effective loss prevention program. The technical nature of industry requires detailed data and a broad range of experience. Tliis complex task, today becoming the most important in plant design, is facilitated by the safety codes, standiu ds, and practice information available. The technical approach to evaluating die consequences of hazards is discussed later in tliis cliapter and in Part V (Chapters 20 and 21). 

The minimiziiig/prevendon of accidents in a chemical plant calls for a detailed study of plant site and layout, materials, processes, operations, equipment, and training, plus an effective loss prevention program. 

Loss Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Process Ind.iLStries, 4th International S)Tnposium, Vol. 1 Safety in Operations and Processes Vol. 2 Hazardous Chemicals and. Liquefied Gases-Safe Transport, Vol. 3 Chemical Process Hazards, The Institution of Chemical Engineers, Symposium Series No. 82, 1983. 

In the majority of chemical processes heat is either given out or absorbed, and fluids must often be either heated or cooled in a wide range of plant, such as furnaces, evaporators, distillation units, dryers, and reaction vessels where one of the major problems is that of transferring heat at the desired rate. In addition, it may be necessary to prevent the loss of heat from a hot vessel or pipe system. The control of the flow of heat at the desired rate forms one of the most important areas of chemical engineering. Provided that a temperature difference exists between two parts of a system, heat transfer will take place in one or more of three different ways. 

The two different, but related, considerations in waste disposal are hazard control and loss prevention in the treatment and disposal operations, and the control of environmental hazards. With gas and liquid streams the control of on-site hazards arising from the chemical properties and processing operations generally follows the principles summarized in earlier chapters. The measures necessary with solid wastes may, however, differ, particularly if they are heterogeneous in nature and disposed of on land. 

We also continue to acknowledge and thank all the members of the Undergraduate Education Committee of the Center for Chemical Process Safety and the Safety and Loss Prevention Committee of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. We are honored to be members of both committees. The members of these committees are the experts in safety their enthusiasm and knowledge have been truly educational and a key inspiration to the development of this text. 

Fierz, H., and G. Zwahlen, "Deflagration in Solids—A Special Hazard in Chemical Production, Proceedings of the 6th Loss Prevention and Safety Promotion in the Process Industries Symposium, Oslo, Norway (1989). 

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