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Forget Direct Scaleup Vent Sizing and Master Kinetic Modeling Instead

Direct scale-up methods have been used to develop relief requirements and vent sizing for runaway reactions since the early 1990s. Direct scale-up methods have been popular because one is able to measure in a laboratory test the required relief size in equivalent vent area per unit mass of a reacting mixture, in 2/kg, and then scale it up to plant scale equipment sizes. Read more

HAZard & OPerability (HAZOP) Guidelines

This paper provides concise and structured documentation to be used as a “guideline” when conducting Hazard & Operability (HAZOP) studies. It collects and summarizes key tables, figures, and checklists placed in chronological order according to the sequential phases that define the HAZOP Management System (HMS). Read more

How to Conduct a Dust Hazards Analysis

The 2016 Edition of NFPA 652 (NFPA, 2016) requires a dust hazards analysis (DHA) of existing processes by September 7, 2018. (DHAs are also needed for material modifications that exceed 25% of the original cost.) A dust hazards analysis is defined by NFPA as “A systematic review to identify and evaluate the potential fire, flash fire, or explosion hazards…” where combustible particulate solids are processed or handled. Read more

InterScience Reactivity Screening Made Easy

During the past decade, large efforts were made by the US chemical and petrochemical industries to implement and maintain effective process safety management (PSM) and responsible care programs. Despite these large investments, incidents continue to occur at an alarming frequency. Many executives of leading companies are trying to understand why. Read more

Laminar Flame Speeds Data Collection

Regarding vessels and tubes containing combustible gases or dusts, it is important to acquire knowledge on the conditions under which a fuel and oxidizer could undergo explosive reactions. These conditions are strongly dependent on the pressure and temperature. Read more

No Nonsense Approach to Addressing the Combustible Dust Hazard

February 7, 2008, was the pivotal point where recognizing the severity of dust hazards was pushed to the forefront of industry concerns. This was the date that a huge explosion occurred at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Savannah, Georgia. There were 14 deaths and 38 injuries, including an additional 14 serious burns. Read more