An automated system for batch hazard and operability studies

• Published in: Reliability engineering & system safety Vol. 94; no. 6; pp. 1095 - 1106
• Main Authors: Palmer, C., Chung, P.W.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Batch HAZOP; Batch process; Exact sciences and technology; Operating instructions; Operating procedures; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Qualitative simulation; Reliability theory. Replacement problems; Operating instructions; Qualitative simulation; Operating procedures; Batch HAZOP; Batch process; System architecture; Material processing; In-process inventory; Steady state; Operating conditions; Batch production; System identification; Hazard
• ISSN: 0951-8320; 1879-0836
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2009.01.001

A widely used hazard identification technique within the process industry is HAZOP (hazard and operability study). To overcome the repetitive and time-consuming nature of the technique automated systems are being developed. This work considers batch processes, in which material undergoes processing in distinct stages within the plant equipment items according to a set of operating procedures, rather than each equipment item remaining in a “steady state”, as is normal for continuous plants. In batch plants deviations that can lead to hazards can arise both from deviations from operating procedures and process variable deviations. Therefore, the effect of operator actions needs to be considered. CHECKOP is an automated batch HAZOP identification system being developed as a joint project between HAZID Technologies Ltd. and Loughborough University. CHECKOP uses a state-based approach to HAZOP analysis. CHECKOP takes a plant description and a set of operating instructions as input and produces a HAZOP report automatically. The overall system architecture and the details of the major components of the systems will be described. Examples of incorrect plant operation along with the resulting output generated by CHECKOP will be shown. The advantages and limitations of CHECKOP will be discussed.