Enhancing Abnormal Events Management by the Use of Quantitative Process Hazards Analysis Results

Thorough process abnormal events management (AEM) requires accurate fault diagnosis and also a complete supporting system for making correct decisions. In this work, an effective and dynamic integration of AEM and process hazards analysis (PHA) is carried out. In the integrated system, the HAZOP analysis is extended for its use as a supporting tool when facing online abnormal situations. Thus, the extended HAZOP analysis includes quantitative information, in the form of key variables thresholds, and incorporates a set of corrective actions (CAs) to mitigate the harmful considered consequences. The dynamic integration is achieved by generating a protocol where CAs are ranked by the seriousness and urgency of the consequences that they mitigate. The supporting system is developed in a Matlab and Aspen Dynamics integrated framework. An industrial sour water stripping plant is used as case study.