Our White Papers

Significant critical information is often lost following an accident/ incident due to poor data and information gathering procedures. As a result, should litigation occur, information that could be useful in determining the cause of the incident and later in building a defense is not collected.

Because the potential hazard of pressure relief valve instability (chattering) is already recognized, relief systems design basis documentation must demonstrate expected stable pressure relief valve (PRV) operation and performance for a multitude of credible scenarios. Historically, expected stable pressure relief valve performance has been demonstrated by showing that the irrecoverable inlet line pressure loss is less than or equal to 3% of the pressure relief valve set pressure (3% rule).

This paper presents a general method for the estimation of flammability envelopes for chemical mixtures containing gases, liquids, and/or solids based on chemical equilibrium. The impact of mixture initial temperature, the presence of diluents and elevated system pressures are implicitly accounted for. The performance of this method is tested against much of the experimental data reported in the literature for systems containing a wide range of chemicals from CHNO compounds to compounds containing sulfur, phosphorus, silicon and halogens.

Direct minimization of the Gibbs free energy can be used to calculate phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, and/or simultaneous physical and chemical equilibria. This method may be preferred for systems where multiple liquid phases can coexist and/or where retrograde phase behavior is possible during depressuring or pressure relief.

Traditional pressure relief sizing calculations have typically used steady state equations to determine both the required relief rate and the pressure relief system capacity, for every applicable overpressure scenario. These equations are well accepted and understood and are available in API Standards 520 and 521.

The role and benefits of online learning for academia (personal) and organizations (corporate) have increased in popularity and have demonstrated higher levels of learner effectiveness and efficiency, surpassing and antiquating in-person training programs. In this paper, a case study will examine how an online learning management system (LMS) with education structured as building blocks increases overall competency specific to a particular skill set.

Many petrochemical companies are currently engaged in flare systems review and upgrade projects. They wish to ensure continuing safe operations, to maximize the use of their existing flare systems, and to minimize the need for modifying existing flare structures or building new ones.

OSHA published the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard in 1992. At that time it was viewed as one of the first performance-based regulations in the US. Previous OSHA regulations were viewed as prescriptive or specification based where all documentation and reporting requirements are included.

QRA can be used for a number of different purposes. However, it is most valuable as part of a Risk Management program. Risk Management is the identification and control of hazards,

Process hazard analyses (PHAs) have been conducted on chemical processes for decades. Now PHAs are being conducted on combustible dust handling processes to meet several industry standards, such as NFPA 654 and 664. Although many of the same analysis techniques can be applied, conducting effective PHAs for combustible dust processes requires some differences in approach.

Operating companies covered by OSHA’s PSM standard or EPA’s RMP rule are required to revalidate their PHA every five years. Very frequently, PHA teams encounter frustrating challenges, including: Identification of a hazard introduced by a process change, identification of a hazard similar to a recent incident that was either overlooked in the previous PHA or deemed to have adequate protection, and inadequate documentation from the previous PHA.

The way a company manages a major crisis can literally spell the difference between life and death — both for the immediate victims of the crisis and for the company itself. Over the past two decades, several major crises have had severe environmental, health, and safety consequences, as well as drastic implications for the companies involved.

As part of the 2013 update, NFPA 654 provides clarification on how to determine if a flash fire or explosion hazard exists. As part of the facility and systems design section, it is now required that a hazard assessment be conducted to determine if dust flash fire and dust explosion hazards exist (NFPA 654 Section 6.1).

Risk assessment is an effective means of identifying process safety risks and determining the most cost-effective means to reduce risk. Many organizations recognize the need for risk assessment, but most do not have the tools, experience and resources to assess risk quantitatively.

Safe storage, proper handling, and dependable transport of self-reactive substances are fundamental operations required in the chemical process industries. One of the key parameters used to assess the extent of a substance’s reactivity is its self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT). Various methods for estimating the SADTs have been well documented, including the “Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manual of Tests and Criteria” by the United Nations.