Process hazard evaluation

The results of previous process hazards evaluations may be used if it can be confirmed that the reviews adequately addressed explosion and fire risks to process plant buildings. ... 

The evaluation of hazards in a process starts at the initial screening of the process parameters. Several technical issues that will need more attention will arise from this screening procedure. Hazard evaluation procedures, however, are no substitutes for engineering codes of practice and for design standards, but are used as supplementary ideas and concepts. A prerequisite for any process hazard evaluation is a full knowledge of the chemistry of the process (including potential unwanted side reactions) with supporting data. 

The company conducts process hazards evaluation of all new or modified products/processes. 

Engineering—Process hazard evaluations, process control improvements, turnarounds, and startups all benefit from elective procedures that accurately describe how to operate and maintain process equipment. This book presents the basic methods for ensuring that the procedures are efiective and are reviewed for accuracy. 

Process Hazard Evaluation Completed Potential hazard(s) identified Yes/No... 

There are several points to be kept in mind when using physical testing as part of process hazard evaluation. First, the limitations of the test method should always be kept in mind. For example, it has been pointed out that different thermal stability tests give different exotherm detection temperatures. In most cases it is not possible to define an exact exotherm onset because the decomposition reaction s rate does not go to zero as the temperature is lowered. Overconfidence in test results can be just as much of a hazard as no knowledge at all if the limitations of the tests are forgotten. 

Causes and lessons learned are reported in only 20 percent of the 167 incidents. (Industry associations, government agencies, and academia typically do not collect this information.) However, more than 60 percent of the incidents for which some causal information was available involved inadequate practices for identifying hazards or conducting process hazard evaluations nearly 50 percent involved inadequate procedures for storage, handling, or processing of chemicals. ... 

Process Hazard Analysis. A process hazard analysis (PHA), sometimes called a process hazard evaluation, is one of the most important elements of the process... 

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