78845 - Chemical Plants

Learning outcomes

Understanding methodologies for analysis of industrial processes and plants based on chemical-physical and biological transformation operations  and for production of goods and services, as well as prevention and mitigation of habitat modifications induced by human activities.

Course contents

Fundamental notions relating to major accidents hazards in the process industry, procedures for assessing and managing industrial risks with specific reference to European and Italian laws in force. The knowledge acquired can be used both within process industries and public bodies involved in the control of the risk of major accidents.

Readings/Bibliography

Major accident risk
Concepts of risk and danger. Classification of risks based on the origin and number of subjects involved. The context of major accident risk: HSEQS disciplines; sustainability. European and Italian legislation on major accident risk.

Process industry
Process industry as a source of major accident risk. Applicability of plants to the legislation on major accident risk. Mapping of major accident risk in Italy.

Dangerous substances
The characteristics of chemical substances. Identification of a chemical substance (names, numbers, formulas). CLP Regulation and major accident risk. Physical properties important for safety. Flammability and flammability parameters. Toxicity parameters used for the purposes of major accident risk. Safety data sheets.

Major accident risk assessment
The phases of risk assessment. Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis.
Hazard identification. The concept of danger; historical analysis; checklists; safety review; HazOp analysis; index methods.
Frequencies of events and scenarios evaluation: historical data; fault trees; bow-tie diagram. Event trees and frequencies of the final scenarios.
Evaluation of the consequences of the final scenarios. How to express effects magnitude. The evaluation and mapping of the physical effects. The evaluation and mapping of the damage.

Accident scenarios. The initial and final accident scenarios: toxic clouds, poolfire, jet-fire, fireball, Flash fire, Vapour Cloud Explosion, environmental contamination scenarios. Event trees, physical effects and final accident targets, the domino effect.

Control of major accident risk
How the risk of a major accident is expressed: risk matrices; local risk and social risk; risk representation of a major accident in the Italian legislation.
Risk acceptability criteria: intolerable risk, acceptable risk, risk in the ALARP zone; acceptability of local risk; acceptability of social risk
Flowchart of the major accident risk assessment: risk reduction and safety measures; the residual risk and its management; external emergency planning; accident analysis and inspections; the safety management system.

Teaching methods

Classroom lessons with blackboard and slides 

Assessment methods

Oral exam test to test knowledge of the fundamental notions relating to major accidents hazards and risks in the process industry.

Teaching tools

Multimedia content such as slides, photos and videos 

Teaching materials will be available on Virtuale platform

Office hours

See the website of Alessia Lambertini