Risk-based approach for evaluating safety events in large plants

In the nitrogen fertilizer industry, potentially severe impacts can stem from toxic, fire, and explosion hazards from accidental releases and hazards associated with failures in high pressure equipment. While consequence analysis can be used to calculate the severity (as measured by the personnel or buildings in the hazard zone), the very large zones associated with some of the most severe scenarios essentially place the entire facility within the hazard zone, leaving few practical options to mitigate the consequence. Using a quantitative risk analysis approach, which evaluates both the consequence and likelihood of potential events at fertilizer sites, provides additional insight to help make informed decisions about the best way to minimize the risk exposure. (c) 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012