Safety critical modelling software for the oil and gas sector

A leak from a gasoline tank will have a significantly different outcome than a leak from a propane vessel. And obviously, a rupture of an ammonia system requires other precautions than a discharge from a natural gas system. Thus, for operators to be prepared, it is important to distinguish between different phenomena that might occur after a potential leak in a system. The big difference between gasoline and propane leak is mainly caused by the “chemical phase” of the material.Our software solutions can provide loss of containment scenarios and evaluate all possible events and will automatically assess the entire chain of events, based on process conditions and typical properties of the selected chemical. It avoids missing potentially dangerous phenomena.

Process Hazard Analysis are assessments conducted by asset managers and operators that help in making decisions to improve safety in a facility. These assessments are conducted in the design, operation, and modification of processes to reduce the potential of unintended hazardous releases. Many times, however, these qualitative assessments need to be evaluated further with quantitative assessments to better assert mitigation strategies.Process Hazard Analysis assessments can be evaluated further using advanced modelling techniques. Using integral vs CFD modelling tools allows asset stakeholders to better plan and prepare for plant activities while taking the necessary mitigation measures to reduce operational risk.

As the world moves towards decarbonization, natural gas is finding its place as a cleaner-burning alternative to other fossil fuels.For safer storage and transport, natural gas can be cooled down to its liquid form, LNG. However, facilities handling LNG, such as liquefaction plants, regasification plants, and storage facilities, are still associated with potential hazards. Understanding these hazards is essential to implementing the necessary prevention and mitigation measures.A key risk in LNG facilities is an uncontrolled release of a cryogenic, toxic, or flammable fluid. Such releases can originate in various parts of the process system. The consequence of these releases depends on what they expose and on whether they are ignited. In short, the essential LNG facility hazards can be grouped into seven categories: temperature, toxic, asphyxiation, pool fire, jet fire, flammable vapor dispersion/ flash fire and vapor cloud explosion (VCE).Find out more https://www.gexcon.com/blog/the-7-essential-hazards-in-lng-facilities/

Pool fires are often very relevant for commonly used liquid, flammable materials such as gasoline and hexane. Any flammable liquid release can create a spreading pool on the ground or even on a water surface, which may ignite when it gets in contact with an ignition source.The pool can spread without restraint or be delimited by the shape of a bund or a dike, limiting the maximum surface area of the pool.The pool with flammable material is not necessarily static in its dimensions. It may be spreading or contracting. Additional combustible material could be fed into the pool from a leak. The liquid receives heat from the flames by convection and radiation and may lose or gain heat by conduction toward/from the solid or liquid substrate under the liquid layer. On the other hand, if the fuel is cryogenic, heat is transferred from the substrate to the fuel, and combustion will be enhanced.Heat radiation from a pool fire causes a heat flux with the potential to cause damage to objects in the surrounding area. That is why it is highly relevant to assess the consequences of such a scenario to help safety professionals devise prevention and mitigation measures so that accidental releases can either be prevented or their consequences minimised.