Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
(QRA) Study
For
TOWN GAS COMPANY
November 2006
TOWN GAS COMPANY
EL-TEBEEN PRESSURE REDUCTION STATION
QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT STUDY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Executive Summary........................................................................................................................ 4
2 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3 Project Description....................................................................................................................... 11
4 Technical Definitions ................................................................................................................... 12
5 Assessment of Risks ................................................................................................................... 13
6 Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 14
7 Plan of Work ................................................................................................................................. 15
8 Operation of the System ............................................................................................................. 17
9 Town Gas Emergency Plan........................................................................................................ 18
10 Weather Data ............................................................................................................................ 19
11 Generic Release Scenarios ....................................................................................................25
12 Specific Release Scenarios ....................................................................................................27
13 Impairment Criteria ................................................................................................................... 28
14 Flammability Assessment........................................................................................................30
14.1 General.................................................................................................................................. 30
14.2 Process Hydro carbons .......................................................................................................... 31
14.3 Electrical Fires ....................................................................................................................... 32
14.4 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 32
15 SHELL FRED Version (4.0) Consequence Modelling Software .......................................33
16 Sensitivity Analysis ................................................................................................................... 38
17 Release Scenarios.................................................................................................................... 41
18 Ignited Release Scenario ........................................................................................................43
18.1 Causes of Release ................................................................................................................ 43
18.2 Causes of Ignition .................................................................................................................. 43
19 Typical Fire Consequence Analysis....................................................................................... 44
19.1 Hydrocarbon Releases.......................................................................................................... 44
19.1.1 Gaseous Release........................................................................................................................................................ 44
19.1.2 Liquid Release .............................................................................................................................................................. 45
19.1.3 Toxic Gas release....................................................................................................................................................... 45
19.2 Fire ......................................................................................................................................... 47
19.2.1 Flash Fire........................................................................................................................................................................ 48
19.2.2 Unobstructed Jet Fires ............................................................................................................................................... 49
19.2.3 Obstructed Jet Fires ................................................................................................................................................... 50
19.2.4 Pool Fires ....................................................................................................................................................................... 51
20 Consequence Modelling Results............................................................................................ 52
20.1 High Pressure Release from 100 -mm (4 -Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (1A) ........................... 53
20.2 High Pressure Release from 25-mm (1-Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (1B)............................. 56
20.3 High Pressure Release from 5-mm (1/4-Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (1C)............................ 59
20.4 Low Pressure Release from 100-mm (4 Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (2A) ....................... 62
20.5 Low Pressure Release from 25-mm (1-Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (2B)......................... 65
20.6 Low Pressure Release from 5 -mm (1/4-Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (2C)........................ 68
21 Likelihood Data .......................................................................................................................... 71
21.1 Process Release.................................................................................................................... 71
21.2 Ignition Probability ................................................................................................................. 72
22 Risk Assessment ...................................................................................................................... 73
22.1 Individual Risks ‘IR’ to Workers............................................................................................. 74
22.2 Individual Risk to the Public................................................................................................... 75
23 Risk Evaluation.......................................................................................................................... 76
1 Executive Summary
Quantitative risk assessment study has been performed for the El-Tebeen PRS (Pressure
Reduction Station) for Town Gas Company based on the recommendations from the World Bank.
The connecting pipelines and the associated critical crossings are outside the scope of this
quantitative risk assessment (QRA) study.
El-Tebeen PRS has been considered as the first PRS included for consequence modelling and risk
assessment, while other stations shall follow in series.
For the purpose of the analysis it has been assumed that the PRS are within restricted entry open
area, which is not normally manned but will be frequently visited by operations and maintenance
teams comprising at least two personnel.
SHELL FRED version (4 .0) has been selected for the consequence modeling of different types of
hazardous consequences as follows:
SHELL FRED version (4.0) is the state of the art Shell’s consequence modeling softwa re kit stands
for Fire, Release, Explosion and Dispersion models used to predict the consequences of the
accidental release of flammable and toxic materials from different types of process equipment.
For the PRS leak scenario, the release rate has been simulated based on 3 -hole sizes 0.25 inch,
representing instrument fitting failure [pin hole leak], 1.0 inch representing small pipe leak [minor
leak] and 4.0 inches leak representing a 4-inch pipe full bore rupture or 4-inch hole size in a larger
pipe diame ter [major leak or catastrophic failure]. This is corresponds to 5-mm, 25-mm and 100-
mm leak sizes.
Weather conditions have been selected based on wind speed and stability class.
The worst case weather conditions for gas dispersion is the stable weather conditions, represented
by wind speed of 1 m/s and stability class "F" representing "Very Stable" weather conditions, in
order to obtain conservative results.
Since the jet fire is originally a high momentum directed jet release, hence the effects of wind
direction, wind speed or atmospheric stability on the jet flame are minimal.
The PRS comprises two types of pressures, the first is the upstream pressure, which is high
pressure ranging from 30 to 70 Bars, while the second pressure is the down stream pressure, which
is low pressure ranging from 4 to 7 Bars.
For the purpose of the consequence modelling, the maximum of the two types of pressures have
been simulated to represent the worst case and mild case respectively (70 Bars as HP and 7 Bars
as LP).
The jet fire (flame length) and heat radiation distances are measured in meters.
The gas dispersion distances have been calculated in meters in concentration terms of Lower
Flammability Limits (LFL) and Upper Flammability Limits (UFL) presented by Part Per M illion (PPM)
concentrations in order to represent the flammability range of the released gas cloud; however the
extent of damage is presented by LFL only.
The heat radiation from flash fires will not significantly affect humans, equipment or structures due
to the short duration of flash fires.
Fire consequence analysis has been described in details in fire consequence effects section, which
details the hazardous effects from different types of fires.
The following table presents the generic extent of damage distances as a result from the
consequence modelling simulation analysis performed by FRED.
Table 1.1 Generic Extent of Damage Distances from PRS Leaks in Meters
Case Leak size Leak size High Pressure Low Pressure
Leak type Side [70 Bar] Side [7 Bar]
No. in Meters in Inches Jet Gas Jet Gas
Flame Cloud Flame Cloud
1.0 Pin Hole 0.005 0.25 6.5 3.5 2.2 1.2
2.0 Minor leak 0.025 1 25 11.2 8.5 5.5
3.0 Major leak 0.1 4.0 70 30 25 11
Notes:
The damage distances have been calculated by SHELL's FRED version (4.0)
consequence modeling software with the following conditions:
As a rule of thumb, the worst case scenario presented by the high pressure side of the PRS shall
be considered in the risk assessment study in order to obtain conservative results.
From the extent of damage distances calculated, it can be observed that major or catastrophic
equipment failure has the maximum potential extent of damage due to increased leak size.
Maximum extent of damage is 70 meters in the worst case conditions.
The minor leak has a localized extent of damage within the PRS boundary or battery limits due to
medium leak size. Proposed extent of damage is 25 meters.
While the pin hole leak has the minimum localized extent of damage due to small leak size.
Minimum extent of damage is 6.5 meters in the mild case conditions.
But on the other hand, the probability of occurrence or failure frequency of major leak or
catastrophic equipment failure is deemed to be much lower than a pin hole leak.
Process release generic failure frequencies and ignition probabilities have then been identified for
the detailed quantitative risk assessment (QRA) purposes from API-581, Lees and E&P Forum.
Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) has been performed to all types of hazardous events
developed from the hazardous scenarios development.
The risks have been assessed for the industrial workers and general public representing the two
types of risk namely the "Individual Risk" and "Societal Risk" with in the PRS area as presented in
the following table.
The risks assessed have been evaluated based on the international risk acceptance criteria in order
to demonstrate that risks are within the ALARP limits.
From the plot plan and general layout of the PRS area, it can be observed that the PRS is within
populated area, with potential for public impacts by potential ignited release scenarios.
Hence, the risk from such PRSs shall be within the acceptable limits, if safety precautions have
been considered and strictly followed in the design, operation and maintenance of such facilities.
1. There is a need to develop a safe system of work, based on risk assessment for dealing
with potential gas leaks.
2. Consideration should be given to the remote actuation of isolation and slam-shut valves by
Town Gas for different PRS's as well as the transmission and distribution pipelines.
3. There is a need to produce Hazardous Area Classification drawings for all Pressure
Reduction Stations.
4. Planned preventive maintenance policy should be in place for the new PRSs.
5. There is a need to produce a 'Station Manual' for each PRS. This manual should include
formalized procedures, including precautions and a site scenario specific emergency plan.
6. Site emergency plans must take into account wind direction and stability and should
consider interfaces with others, e.g. GASCO as well as the public living nearby.
7. Town Gas needs to consider the security arrangements for all un -manned stations.
8. There is a need that Town Gas should apply risk assessment to all activities and to formalize
procedures and permit-to-work systems.
9. The control room inlet door should be located in the upwind direction away from the PRS
station (Inlet door should not face the PRS station).
10. Alternatively, the control room should be provided by a secondary means of escape at the
back side of the room, which shall be used in case of blockage of the main escape route by
jet fires.
11. It is recommended that a jet fire rated passive fire protection system to be applied to all
safety critical shutdown valves ESDVs or Solenoid valves in order to maintain small
isolatable inventories. (As applicable)
12. It is recommended to have pipeline marking signs indicating in Arabic and in English "Do
Not Dig" and "High Pressure Pipeline Underneath" in order to prevent such extreme
hazardous situation.
13. It is recommended to include the prevailing wind direction on the PRS site plan.
14. It is reco mmended to have an elevated wind sock installed in the PRS site, which can be
seen from distance and from outside the fence to determine the direction of gas migration in
case of major gas leak.
15. It is recommended to have a gas detection system within the PRS area to automatically sense
the released gases as a percentage of LFL, in order to provide early warnings of gas release.
16. Also, it is recommended to have point gas detectors at the room HVAC intake (if provided)
to automatically sense the released gases as a percentage of LFL, in order to provide early
warnings of gas release.
17. Investigate a strategy to inform the residential area beside the PRS and the associated
pipeline with the risk involved in such accidents as well as the methods required for
annunciating if any leak occurs.
18. The design should fully comply with IGE TD/3 code requirements.
2 Introduction
This report presents the Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) carried out by Petrosafe for
the Pressure Reduction Station Project at Greater Cairo City for Town Gas Company.
Objectives:
Town Gas operates a distribution network to supply natural gas to residential and commercial
premises as well as car gas filling stations in the Greater Cairo area. Town Gas has set out the
main objectives of the risk assessment to include the following:
o To identify, assess and quantify risks to people (the general public, Town Gas
operations staff, and other associated groups.
o To identify, assess and quantify risks arising from the steel pipeline and relevant
pressure reduction and odorising stations.
o To comprehensively examine the ways in which the identified risks can be eliminated
or reduced.
Terms of Reference :
Town Gas identified specific parts of the distribution network for the proposed risk assessment study.
These are:
Petrosafe will perform a semi-quantitative and risk assessment to identify the major risk issues
and contributors with a “best estimate” of the associated levels of risk for the ‘El-Tebeen Industrial
PRS’ as the first urgently required station, while the others shall follow.
o To provide Town Gas with a clear risk knowledge and awareness such that
investment decisions can be well informed.
o To act as a coherent stage in, and to define the final scope of the full risk assessment.
Conduct the remaining work to provide a full risk assessment in compliance with defined
and approved Standards and Guidelines.
In general the work will cover, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
o Perform physical survey of the steel pipeline route to identify possible ‘hot spots’.
o Conduct a full consequence analysis in relation to gas leaks and fire/explosion and
toxic release scenarios.
3 Project Description
The objective of the Gas Distribution system at Town Gas is the supply of natural gas to the
domestic, commercial and industrial customers in the Greater Cairo Area. The infrastructure
consists of a 24” diameter, 57.53 km high pressure steel pipeline from Tibbeen to North Heliopolis
stations [to be confirmed]. The line contains several pressure reduction and odorant stations that
interface with various supply pipelines. Egyptian Town Gas employs some 2,100 personnel and
supplies gas to more than 1.3 million residential and commercial customers. This is the largest gas
netwo rk in Egypt for more than 22 years.
Documents Reviewed:
The risk assessment Technical Proposals are based on the following documents that were
received from Town Gas.
o Cairo map showing geographical boundaries for the natural gas operating areas.
o Operating and emergency procedures for pressure reduction and odorising stations in
Greater Cairo Area. [Typical]
4 Technical Definitions
Congestion A qualitative or quantitative measure of the physical layout, spacing, and obstructions
within a facility that promote development of a vapor cloud explosion.
Gas cloud Gas cloud air dilution naturally reduces the concentration to below the LEL or no
dispersion longer considered ignitable (typically defined as 50% of the LEL).
Individual risk The risk to a single person inside a particular building. Maximum individual risk is the
risk to the most-exposed person and assumes that the person is exposed.
Risk Relates to the probability of exposure to a hazard, which could result in harm to
personnel, the environment or general public. Risk is a measure of potential
for human injury or economic loss in terms of both the incident likelihood and
the magnitude of the injury or loss.
Risk The identification and analysis, either qualitative or quantitative, of the likelihood and
assessment outcome of specific events or scenarios with judgments of probability and
consequences.
5 Assessment of Risks
This part of the study would address the identification, analysis and subsequent assessment of
major hazards associated with the relevant gas pressure reduction stations in addition to the
associated part of the gas pipeline.
They are categorised, and makes judgement on the tolerability of risks to personnel associated
with these hazards. British Gas criteria for risk tolerability are used to base such judgements.
Scenarios that could result in major hazards will be identified and evaluated using semi-quantified
and Quantified Risk Assessment ‘QRA’. This technique is used to establish the expected
frequency of such incidents occurring on each facility and their consequences. Several
commercial software tools are available to P etrosafe are available for consequences modelling of
dispersion, fire and explosion will be selected for modelling pipeline gas leaks.
Detailed risk profile to different individuals on the facility will be estimated, which in turn becomes
an important input in determining the requirements for any remedial work.
This section will be linked to the rest of the proposed study in order to tie together the logic of
the arguments and bring the findings into better context. It will encompass:
o Analysis of the consequences and their effects on employees, third parties and the public,
From these studies, risk reduction measures are identified, and improvements- to hardware
and management systems- are considered.
6 Methodology
Maximum use should be made of all studies and reports produced for the project so far.
A list of all-relevant studies and reports relevant to all gas facilities should be identified by
The Company and made available to the Consultant.
The proposed study will examine the contents of existing documents relating to The Company-
HSE Management System. This will cover such documents as:
o Codes and Standards used for the design and construction of the pipeline and
relevant stations.
o Fire and gas detection/protection systems and procedures of the facilities in question .
o Operations manuals, procedures and standing orders relating to the pipeline and stations.
o Engineering:
The proposed study will examine the relationship between relevant documents and management
procedures to establish that these are adequate to demonstrate that all reasonable steps have
been taken to ensure that the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the facility and
its equipment are adequate to provide a safe working environment.
Furthermore, the Company should demonstrate that, in the event of an incident, which may
escalate and lead to the requirement for personnel to evacuate the facility, such arrangements are
in place and are adequate.
7 Plan of Work
o To carry out a physical survey of the steel pipeline route in order to identify potential hot
spots, where the public may be exposed to possible gas leaks.
o To identify parts of the pipeline ‘hot-spots’ for some detailed modelling of release
scenarios and fire/explosion. Layout analysis will identify critical sections of the pipeline
for further modelling.
o To conduct a selective Quantified Risk Assessment ‘QRA’ on the relevant gas distribution
stations and to calculate Individual and Societal Risks to Town Gas workers, third parties
and the public.
Estimation and evaluation of risks is carried out using the se mi-quantitative matrix illustrated
in FIGURE 7.1.
Probability
A B C D E
Asset/ - - Improbable Remote Occasional Probable Frequent
Environ Perfor
Severity People 1 in 10,000 1 in 1000 1 in 100 1 in 10
Costs ment mance 1 in 100,000
years years years years years
Major injury
The proposed QRA Framework is shown in FIGURE 7.2 and the QRA Criteria for risk tolerability
is shown in FIGURE 7.3.
Definition Hazards
Scenario
Development
Frequency Analysis of
Analysis Consequences
Impact Assessment
Estimate/
Measure Risks
Decide Risk
Verify
Mitigation Measures
1 in 10,000
1 in 1000
ALARP ALARP
Region Region
1 in 100,000
1 in 1 million
FIGURE 7.3 British Gas Criteria for the QRA Risk Tolerability
SOFTWARE:
The Software proposed for consequences modelling and the QRA parts of the project is Shell's
FRED (4.0) - Consequences modelling software tools as presented in Appendix-2.
The Company operates a monitoring and control ‘SCADA’ system that monitors all main and sub-
stations in Greater Cairo as well as the main gas transmission lines (the 70 Bar and 7 Bar lines)
with the following function s: [To be confirmed]
o Monitoring of inlet gas pressure for main sources and giving alarms in the cases of high
and low gas pressures.
o Monitoring of the odorization units in the stations in terms of rate of filling and giving alarms
if the storage tanks odorant level and pressure increases or decreases.
o Monitoring of the effects of gas output on the transmission lines pressure (70 Bar and 7 Bar).
o The SCADA system should also remotely control the change-over gas reduction streams to
auxiliary lines at all stations in cases of emergency or due to failures. However, this function
is not implemented due to the theft of spare parts.
The odorant storage tank is filled when the liquid level drops below the minimum level. The
liquid level is monitored via two level measuring systems. [To be confirmed]
The tank is pressurised by blanket gas to minimise vaporisation of the odorant. This gas is used to
transfer the odorant from its drum into the storage tank. The odorant vaporises at about 1.45 Bar,
so that the blanket gas pressure is increased from 1.5 to 1.6 Bar. [To be confirmed]
Gas Odorant:
The odorant is supplied with a Hazard Data Sheet. This is based on Aliphatic Mercaptan mixtures
in clear liquid form that is extremely flammable.
The Central Emergency Room for Town Gas is located at the Head Office. This is connected to
the Control Rooms at the Holding Company, GASCO (gas Exporters), Police and Fire Brigade.
Emergencies in Stations:
There is an emergency plan for the gas stations. The documents reviewed refer only to Greater
Cairo and includes the following hazards scenarios:
o Hazards resulting from gas leaks inside pressure reduction stations and main regulators.
Actions in response to the above emergencies are generally restricted to the isolation of valves,
reporting the incident and follow up with relevant authorities, e.g. transmission lines, operations
and SCADA. Wind direction and stability as well as neighbouring installations / public are not
considered in existing emergency plans.
Gas Pipeline:
The Company has an emergency booklet that covers the main gas transmission line and
customers. There is also an emergency room dedicated for such emergencies. Emergencies are
prioritised at three levels, and include the following:
o External leaks,
o House leaks,
10 Weather Data
The Weather Data relevant to this study consists of a list of weather conditions in the form of
different combinations of wind -speed, temperature, humidity and atmospheric stability. The weather
conditions are an important input into the dispersion calculations and results for a single set of
conditions could give a misleading picture of the hazard potential.
Meteoceanographic data gathered for Greater Cairo over a period of 5 years. This data included
wind speed and direction; air temperature and pressure, as well as current speed, direction and
wave height.
The recorded annual wind speeds at Cairo are shown in Table 10.1 .
Wind 4.7 5.6 6.3 6.2 5.6 5.2 4.4 3.4 3.6 4.0 3.8 4.4
speed
In wind Rose figures the radius = 10%
Wind Direction :
Three permanent high-pressure belts control the wind circulation over Egypt: the Azores, the Indian
subtropical and the South Atlantic subtropical. In addition, there is a permanent low-pressure belt ‘the
dolorums’ wh ich crosses Africa near the equator. Seasonal high and low pressure systems also
alternate over the continental mass, the red sea, the Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula.
345/ 015/ 045/ 075/ 105/ 135/ 165/ 195/ 225/ 255/ 285/ 315/
014 044 074 104 134 164 194 224 254 284 314 344
Jan 5.4 8.5 7.4 3.0 1.3 2.7 13.5 14.8 12.6 8.5 6.3 5.8
Feb 9.9 14.4 8.7 3.6 1.2 1.3 8.0 12.0 10.1 7.1 6.1 8.9
Mar 15.8 16.3 9.3 3.6 1.4 1.6 5.0 7.5 6.4 7.9 8.2 10.1
Apr 15.8 21.4 13.3 4.3 0.7 0.6 1.7 3.0 5.0 7.0 8.6 12.5
May 21.3 24.9 13.3 3.0 0.6 0.3 0.7 1.3 2.0 4.3 7.7 14.4
June 24.4 22.2 8.3 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.7 1.2 2.9 9.3 20.1
July 26.3 16.4 4.8 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 1.2 3.1 7.7 23.4
Aug 29.1 16.2 3.8 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.9 2.6 6.8 21.6
Sep 22.8 23.9 8.1 1.4 0.2 0.2 0.7 1.2 0.8 1.3 6.3 15.4
Oct 19.4 23.2 11.4 2.9 0.4 0.4 1.5 1.8 3.0 3.7 7.6 10.5
Nov 16.6 17.2 6.6 1.9 0.5 0.8 3.3 5.7 6.6 6.3 7.2 9.7
Dec 10.6 10.8 6.8 2.4 0.8 1.9 8.8 12.0 8.3 8.2 5.9 8.8
The prevailing winds are quite parallel to or heading towards the Northwest, mostly from west to
north all year, except December and January, when they are from SE. When atmospheric low
pressure is passing quite frequently and fast, the wind direction will change ‘anti-clockwise’,
normally during a short period of one to two days. After a low pressure has passed, the wind returns
to the prevailing direction (W-NW). The mean wind speed at Cairo is 2.44 m/sec.
Data on the direction of wind at North Cairo was obtained from the Egyptian Meteorological Office.
Table 8 shows the analysis of the 12-months wind distribution data over a period of 10 years.
FIGURE 10.1 gives the average wind directions at Cairo throughout the year.
The overall analysis of the wind data at Cairo is given in what is known as the wind rose.
FIGURE 10.2 shows Cairo wind rose, based on data collected during 1992 - 2000. Note that
winds blow towards the centre of the rose.
15% 17.5- 20
15- 17.5
12.5- 15
10- 12.5
7% 5%
7.5-10
6% 2.4 4%
5- 7.5
5% 3% N 2.5- 5
8% 4% 0- 2.5
5%
Stability Categories:
The two most significant variables, which would affect the dispersion calculations, are: Wind -speed and
atmospheric stability. The stability class is a measure of the atmospheric turbulence caused by thermal
gradients. Pasquill Stability identifies six main categories, which are shown in the Table 10.3.
Neutral conditions correspond to a vertical temperature gradient of about 1 ( oC) per 100m.
Cairo weather data for the Geographical area is somewhat limited and do not show
seasonal variations over a long time.
Therefore, the calculations included in this study have considered alternative stabilities for
the average wind speed of 2.4 m/sec.
This was done with reasonable accuracy, since the stability is related to the wind speed, and the
range of stabilities that is observed for a given wind speed is generally small, as shown in the
Table 10.4.
As the range is large for a given wind speed, the calculations have initially considered four different
combinations of wind speeds and stability classes to include the worst possible conditions.
The calculations have also considered atmospheric temperature (30 oC), relative humidity 70%
and surface roughness parameter of 0.1 .
At night, the ground is often cooler than the air if the sky is clear, and this gives rise to the most
stable conditions and potentially the greatest effect distances.
FIGURE 10.3 shows the criteria used for the selection of weather parameters used for
the consequences modelling for this study.
5- 8 C 4- 7 C
>8 D >7 D
Category D (neutral) is the most probable at inland sites, and appears to occur for up to 80% of
the time at Cairo. To overcome the uncertainty of the accuracy of Cairo weather data results, the
following cases were selected in this analysis to study the effects of normal and extreme weather
conditions at Cairo.
Table 10.5 Sets of weather conditions initially selected for this study:
Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4
Wind speed Stability Wind speed Stability Wind speed Stability Wind speed Stability
3 m/s B 1 m/s D 2 m/s D 4 m/s F
The wind speed range between 1 to 5 m/s was considered to be reasonable representation of
typical conditions at Cairo. This would overcome some of the uncertainty of the meteorological data
provided by the meteorological office. Wind speeds in excess of 8 m/s are likely to disperse the
cloud over long distances to well below LFL.
The weather set 3 was eventually selected to represent the most likely conditions, however the
worst case conditions shall be defined by a sensitivity analysis study.
Events associated with release, dispersion and ignition of flammable releases considered in
this study can be summarized in the following figure.
Release
Ignites?
No Dispersing cloud
Yes
Yes Ignites?
No
More obstacles
Greater confinement
Flame acceleration
Jet fire Pool fire Cloud fire Fast flame Internal Safe
explosion dispersion
Impinge?
Yes
Structural BLEVE
Failure
Jet fires A jet fire will result from an ignited pressurized hydrocarbon gas release. The
consequence of jet fires is directional depending on the on release orientation. Jet
fires typically have flame temperature of about 2,200 oF and can produce high
intensity thermal radiation. The high temperature poses a hazard from direct effects
of heat on humans and also from possibility of escalation. If a jet flame impinges
upon a target such as a vessel, pipe or structural member, it can cause failure of the
item to fail within several minutes.
Jet (spray) fire will also result from ignited continuous releases of pressurized
flammable liquid. The momentum of the release carries the material forwards in a
plume entraining air to give a flammable mixture as gas is released from the plume.
Flash fires If flammable gas accumulates in an unconfined area and is ignited, then the result
will be a flash fire within the flammable limits of the vapour cloud.
Explosions Ignition of accumulated gas in semi-confined areas may also be accompanied by an
explosion; the overpressure generated will depend on the degree of congestion and
confinement of the process area, and the gas cloud size.
Pool fires If a liquid release is ignited after it has time to form a pool, a pool fire results.
Because they are less well aerated, pool fires tend to have lower flame temperatures
and produce lower levels of thermal radiation than jet fires. They also produce more
smoke. Although a pool fire can still lead to structure failure of items within the flame,
this would take longer than in a jet fire.
An additional hazard of pool fires is their ability to flow. A burning liquid pool can
spread along horizontal surface or run down a vertical surface to give a running fire.
BLEVE BLEVE stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion.
(Fire Ball) A fire ball can occur if a vessel containing fuel ruptures in the presence of an ignition
source (usually a jet or pool fire). A fraction of the liquefied fuel subsequently
released will evaporate immediately and take part in a huge fireball, which has the
shape of a hemispherical burning cloud or ball of fire. High degree of turbulent mixing
and rapid air entrainment allows large quantities of fuel to be consumed in a short
period of time.
Structural Loss of structure integrity due to overheating of structure members. The structure
failure shall collapse under much lower load than the designed due to increased
temperature.
Safe Dilution of the released gases beyond the lower flammability limits (LFL) leading to
The following are the different types of hazardous scenarios envisaged in the new facility:
· Leakage of gas from equipment/ pipe flanges, if un-ignited, can result in the formation of a
vapour cloud. This cloud is likely to remain partly in the area depending on weather
conditions and wind velocity and direction. Subsequently, if this stagnant cloud finds a
source of ignition and if the composition of the cloud is within the flammability limits of the
gas, flash fire can occur. Fire water protection is not suitable for this scenario, as the flash
fire scenario is estimated to be very short in terms of seconds.
· On the other hand, if this stagnant cloud migrates to a congested area with certain degree
of confinement and finds a source of ignition within its flammability limits, an explosion can
occur with overpressure waves varies depending on the degree of congestion.
· Leakage of gas from equipment / pipe flanges, followed by immediate ignition resulting in
a gas jet fire. Fighting such jet fires with fire water is not effective. Details of the ESD
system needs to be provided, a s if the ESD system will automatically shut-off the gas
supply on confirmed fire detection, duration of this scenario will be very short due to small
inventory in the PRS station (considered as isolatable section). If ESD system is not
provided, the expected duration of such fires is considerably long due to higher inventory
from the high pressure pipeline shall feed the fire (considered as un-isolatable section).
· The over-pressure created by such flash fires is considered negligible due to very
low congestion in an unconfined open area.
· Pool fire due to leakage of liquid hydrocarbon odorant is not considered credible case as
the capacity of the odorant storage tank is (1 m3) only, provided with fire fighting system.
13 Impairment Criteria
This section defines the human injury and asset impairment criteria in caring out the
consequence analysis of the identified hazardous events scenarios on the proposed facilities.
Table 13.1 represents standard human impact criteria as applied in consequence modelling.
The criteria applied for assessment of the effects of fire on assets are summarised in Table 13.2.
Both jet fires and explosions can lead to structure failure of items, though this will take several times
longer for jet fires than for explosions. Table 13.3 presents indicative failure times under hydrocarbon
fire impact conditions, where times to failure refer to burn through or loss of load bearing capacity.
The heat rad iation contours, flash fire diameters (the distance to the lower flammability limits) and
the explosion overpressures are estimated using SHELL, FRED Version (4.0) consequence
modelling software package.
14 Flammability Assessment
14.1 General
An assessment of all flammable and combustible materials present on the facilities is required
to determine those materials that can be excluded from further assessment in the QRA due to
low flammability and hence the low probability of ignition.
In order for a fire to start there must be an ignition source of sufficient heat intensity to cause
ignition. However, after a fire has started, the heat necessary to sustain combustion is typically
supplied by the combustion process.
A flammable gas or vapour burns in air only over a limited concentration range. Below a certain
concentration in air, the Lower Flammability Limit (LFL), the mixture is too ‘lean’, and above a
certain concentration in air, the Upper Flammability limit (UFL), the mixture is too ‘rich’ to sustain
combustion. The concentrations between these limits constitute the flammable range.
Flammability limits vary between hydrocarbon gases. For example, methane is flammable between 5
- 15% v/v and propane between 2.1- 9.5% v/v. Process streams consist of a mixture of
hydrocarbons and on loss of containment the flammability limits depend on the composition of the
gas or vapour that is released to air.
The flash point of a flammable liquid is the temperature at which the vapour pressure is sufficient to
result in a concentration of vapour in air above the liquid corresponding to the lower flammable limit.
On loss of containment or where open to the atmosphere, a hydrocarbon liquid that has a flash
point below ambient temperature is readily ignitable. A liquid with a high flash point, could also
ignite if raised in temperature above its flash point by an external heat source, if released as a high
pressure spray that promotes vaporisation, or if soaked into lagging (insulating materials). Flash
point is th e main parameter in the hazard classification of flammable liquids.
The flammability of materials has been assessed using the Flammability Hazard Ranking from
NFPA 325M under the categories summarised in Table 14.1. Flammable liquid classes referred to
in Table 14.1 are explained in IP15.
In general, materials with a flammability rating of 3 and 4 are readily ignited and present a greater
fire hazard than materials with flammability rating of 1 or 2 that require pre -heating (e.g. by an
existing fire) before ignition can occur.
The properties of the various flammable materials present on the facilities are summarised in
Table 14.2. The flammability of the various inventories is discussed in further detail in the
following sections.
Two major components of the process hydrocarbon inventories are methane and ethane. Propane,
butane and pentane are also present. As a result the process hydrocarbon inventories are classified
as highly flammable, corresponding to an NFPA Flammability Index rating of 4. Based on this rating the
fire and explosion hazards associated with the inventories are further assessed in the QRA.
Electrical faults can cause overheating, sparking and a fire. However, electrical fires are only likely
to have minor, localised impact. Smoke/fire detection and active fire protection should be effective
in controlling such incidents.
Escalation of electrical fires to process areas is highly unlikely, because the electrical equipment
are segregated from other areas and hence the risk from electrical fires is assessed as insignificant
and does not warrant further assessment within the QRA. However, electrical faults will be
considered as a potential cause of ignition of hydrocarbon releases.
14.4 Conclusions
Flammable inventories carried forward for further assessment are limited to process hydrocarbon
inventories as these are identified as initiating causes of fire/explosion that present significantly.
Other inventories will be further assessed in the QRA only in the cases where it is identified that
significant risk exists due to the potential for escalation of an initiating fire/explosion (Odorant).
FRED consequence modeling software stands for Fire, Release, Explosion and Dispersion
developed by SHELL global solutions. This software calculates in graphical displays and detailed
reports the previously mentioned hazardous consequences and presents their extent and degree
of danger.
FRED determines the heat radiation contours from different fire scenarios depending on the amount of
fuel burning, type of fuel and wind direction. It calculates a fluid release flow rate depending on the fluid
pressure, the size and location of the hole. Also, It calculates the explosion overpressure contours
resulting from the ignition of released gas inside confined space depending on the type of the fuel
exploding and the degree of confinement. Finally it performs gas dispersion calculation and calculates
the gas concentration contours in fraction of the lower explosive limits depending on the type of gas
released, release rate, wind stability, wind speed and surface roughness.
SHELL FRED has the following simulation modules (deta iled list):
This hazardous consequence simulation is normally carried out in order to optimize the design,
while on the other hand it will be used in this study to estimate the degree of danger raised from
the hazardous events on the facilities under study in order to assess the associated risks.
Process conditions:
· Temperature = 30 °C
· Pressure = 70 bara
· Pressure downstream of release = 1.013 bara
· Use standard atmospheric pressure = yes
· Release source = Vapor space
Hole geometry:
Pipe:
Release:
· Release height = 1 m
· Release angle from vertical = 90 deg
· Release angle, clockwise from North = 90 deg
Weather:
· Temperature = 40 °C
· Relative humidity = 50 %
· Wind speed = 1 & 10 m/s
· Direction wind is going to = 180 deg (measured clockwise from North)
· Atmospheric stability conditions define by = Pasquill class
· Pasquill class = "E" stable & "B" Unstable
Thermal radiation:
Dispersion:
Technical Notes:
· Shell Fred includes two methods of inputs to the discharge modelling, one is “known reservoir
pressure” and the second is “known release mass flow rate”. The scenario was selected as “known
reservoir pressure” in order to represent the maximum desired flow rate through the hole.
· The following table provides values of absolute roughness, e, in metres for materials used in the
construction of open channels. (Note that where pipes have become corroded, surface
roughness can increase 10-fold):
· Pipe surface roughness was selected as 4.6e-005, which represents the steel material.
· Different wind speeds were selected for the gas dispersion and heat radiation modelling,
basically 1 m/s and 10 m/s.
· Dispersion sampling time was selected to be “Instantaneous”, which represents the worst-
case scenario (stricter than 10 minutes sampling).
· Typical values of the incident radiation intensity if the target is impinged by flame are:
· Different Pasquill stability classes were selected for the gas dispersion and heat
radiation modelling, basically B (Unstable) and E (Stable).
· The following table contains the criteria for the Pasquill stability classes, taking time of day,
wind speed and cloud cover influences into account.
· For the flammable gas dispersion modelling, the upper flammability limits (UFL) and lower
flammability limits (LFL), have been selected as dispersion contours for representing different
gas composition cloud contours.
· For the toxic gas dispersion modelling, modelling values in the terms of parts per million
(ppm) shall be selected as concentrations of interest for toxic gases dispersion. (As highly
toxic gases, shall represent a critical safety factor in designing such types of facilities).
· Obstacles on the level over which the plume is dispersing will have a tendency to break up the
plume. This effect is quantified in the gas dispersion models by a surface roughness. Typical
surface roughness lengths, as used in many models, are given in the following table.
(The roughness values are NOT the actual size of the obstacles on the ground ).
· Failure Types supported by Shell FRED is listed in the following table, indicating the typical
hole diameter resulting from the failure.
16 Sensitivity Analysis
The sensitivity analysis shall be performed in order to determine the worst case parameters (or the
combination of the worst case parameters), which shall be utilized in the consequence modelling.
The release flow rate depends on the size of the hole assumed to leak, which can be summarized
as follows:
The release pressure depends on the process design and operating pressure of the
released materials, which can be summarized as follows:
The release temperature depends on the process design and operating temperature of the
released materials, which can be summarized as follows:
Ambient temperature varies from high ambient temperatures in the summer to low
ambient temperatures in the winter, which can be summarized as follows:
Relative humidity varies from high relative humidity in the summer to low relative humidity in
the winter, which can be summarized as follows:
Wind speed varies from high wind speed to low wind speed depending on the weather
conditions, which can be summarized as follows:
· The proposed maximum wind speed is 10 m/s (presents very unstable weather conditions).
· The proposed minimum wind speed is 1 m/s (presents very stable weather conditions).
Wind stability presented as Pasquill stability classes varies from very unstable weather to very
stable weather depending on the weather conditions, which can be summarized as follows:
Each of the previously mentioned parameters shall be checked with all other parameters are constant.
(I.e. these parameters shall be checked one by one, and for each case all other parameters shall remain
unchanged in order to determine the worst case scenario for each parameter).
From the sensitivity analysis for the gas dispersion, it can be concluded that:
1. The gas dispersion distances shall be increased b y higher release flow rate.
From the sensitivity analysis for the heat radiation, it can be concluded that:
1. The jet flame heat radiation distances shall be increased by higher release flow rate.
2. The jet flame heat radiation distances shall be increased by higher release pressures.
3. The jet flame heat radiation distances shall be increased by higher release temperatures.
4. The jet flame heat radiation distances shall not be affected by ambient temperatures.
5. The jet flame heat radiation distances shall not be affected by relative humidity.
6. The jet flame heat radiation distances shall be increased by higher wind speeds.
7. The jet flame heat radiation distances shall not be affected by weather stability.
From the sensitivity analysis performed, it has been concluded that there is a combination of set of
parameters that gives the worst case scenarios for the gas dispersion and heat radiation, while on
the opposite side; there is a combination of set of parameters that gives the mild case scenarios for
the gas dispersion and heat radiation.
Both cases (the worst cases and mild cases) can be simulated using FRED consequence
modelling software, however only the worst case scenarios for gas dispersion and heat radiation
shall be governing in this report in order to present a conservative approach leading to
conservative QRA results.
From the sensitivity analysis, the following parameters have been selected to represent the
worst case scenario parameters and shall be utilized in the consequence modelling analysis:
· The proposed minimum wind speed is 1 m/s (presents very stable weather conditions),
17 Release Scenarios
For the purposes of the analysis a number of representative release cases are defined in Table 9.1.
Release rates have been calculated with SHELL FRED (4.0) assuming release materials to be
a mixture of Methane, Ethane and Propane. Calculated release rates a re based on initial flow
conditions. Release rates will diminish with time due to a reduction in pressure at the breach.
Factors causing the pressure reduction include resistance to flow through the inventory system
and depletion of the inventory. Emergency shutdown will initiate isolation of the inventory in case
of provided (manually or automatically).
Release durations depend on inventory size and the rate of inventory depletion. An indication of
release durations based on simplifying assumptions is provided in consequence modelling
simulation cases (Appendix 3).
The high pressure stream conditions have been selected to present the release scenario from
the PRS, as it presents the worst case scenario (conservative design approach ).
1 High Pressure Release from 100-mm (4-Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (Case -1A),
2 High Pressure Release from 25 -mm (1 -Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (Case-1B),
3 High Pressure Release from 5-mm (1/4 -Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (Case-1C),
4 Low Pressure Release from 100-mm (4 Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (Case-2A),
5 Low Pressure Release from 25-mm (1-Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (Case-2B),
6 Low Pressure Release from 5 -mm (1/4 -Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (Case-2C).
The effects of fire on personnel and asset will vary with fire type. From the listing of release
scenarios, the locations of potential fire types are identified and summarised in Table 11.1.
The listing of flammable material release scenarios contained in Appendix 3 provides details of:
· Inventory size;
· Release location;
· Release rate;
· Potential fire types.
For the purpose of the analysis it is assumed that the facilities is normally unmanned but will
be frequently visited by operations and maintenance teams comprising at least two
personnel.
In relation to the new facilities, thorough design and the implementation by Company of an
appropriate Safety Management System will ensure many of the causes listed above are
either avoided or significantly reduced in potential.
Historically, the causes of ignition of released flammable/combustible material in the oil and
gas facilities have included:
· Flames/direct heat;
· Hot surfaces;
· Hot work (e.g. welding, flame cutting, grinding);
· Mechanical sparks;
· Electrical equipment not classified for hazardous areas;
· Faulty electrical equipment;
· Lightning;
· Engines;
· Distressed equipment (e.g. overheated bearings);
· Impact energy (e.g. tools, dropped objects, projectiles);
· Chemical energy;
· Static electricity;
· Illicit smoking; and
· Hot soot particles.
Similar to causes of release, the above listed causes of ignition on the new facilities will be
either avoided or significantly reduced in potential through thorough design and the
implementation by Company of an appropriate Safety Management System.
Hydrocarbon releases in the industry are either gaseous, mists or liquids and are either
atmospheric releases or pressurized. Gas and mist releases are considered more significant since
they are readily ignitable since they are in the gas state and due to the generation of vapour clouds
which if ignited are instantly destructive in a widespread nature versus liquid fires that may be less
prone to ignition, generally localized and relatively controllable.
The cause of a release can be external or internal corrosion, internal erosion, equipment wear,
metallurgical defects, operator errors third party damage or for operational requirements.
3 Long Rupture: A se ction of pipe is removed leading to two sources of gas. Each
section being vented in an opening whose cross sectional areas are equal to the cross
sectional area of the pipe (e.g., pipeline external impact and a section is removed).
4 Open Pipe: The end of a pipe is fully opened exposing the cross sectional area of
the pipe.
5 Short Rupture: A split occurs on the side of the pipe or hose. The cross sectional area
of the opening will typically be equal to the cross sectional area of the pipe or hose
(e.g., pipe seam split).
6 Leak: Leaks are typically developed from valve or pump seal packing failures, localized
corrosion or erosion effects and are typically "small" to "pin -hole" sized (e.g., corrosion
or erosion leakages).
7 Vents, Drains, Sample Ports Failures: Small diameter piping or valves may be opened
or fail which release vapours or liquids to the environment unexpectedly.
8 Normal Operational Releases: Process storage or sewer vents, relief valve outlets,
tank seals, which are considered normal and acceptable practices that release to the
atmosphere.
There are a number of factors that determine the release rate and initial geometry of a
hydrocarbon gas release. The most significant is whether the gas is under pressure or released at
atmospheric conditions.
Depending on the release source the escaping gas can last from several minutes or hours, until
the supply is isolated, depleted or fully depressurized. Common long duration sources are
massive storage equipment, or long pipelines without intermediate isolation capabilities.
If released under atmospheric conditions the gas will either rise or fall depending on its vapour
density and will be directed in the path of the prevailing wind. In the absence of a wind, heavier
gases will collect in low points in the terrain. Normally atmospheric gas releases are dispersed
within relatively close distances to their point source, usually about 3 meters (10 ft.) These
atmospheric releases, if ignited, will burn relatively close to the source point, normally in a vertical
position with flames of short length.
For gases released under pressure, there are a number of determining factors that influence the
release rates and initial geometry of the escaping gases. The pressurized gas is released as gas
jet and depending on the nature of the failure may be directed at any direction. All or part of a gas
jet may be deflected by surrounding structures or equipment.
If adequate isolation capabilities are available and employed, the initial release will be characterized by
high flow and momentum which decreases as isolation is applied or supplied are exhausted. Within a few
pipe diameters of the release point, the pressure of released gases decreases. Escaping gases are
normally very turbulent and air will immediately be drawn into the mixture. The mixing of air will also
reduce the velocity of the escaping gas jet. Obstacles such overhead platforms or structures will disrupt
momentum forces of any pressurized release. These releases will generally produce a vapour cloud,
which if not ignited will eventually disperse in the atmosphere. Where turbulent dispersion processes are
prevalent (e.g., high pressure flow, winds, congestion, etc.), the gas will spread in both horizontal and
vertical dimensions while continuing mixing with available oxygen in the air. Initially escaping gases are
above the UEL but with dispersion and turbulence effects they rapidly pass into the flammable limits. If
not ignited and given an adequate distance they will eventually disperse below the LEL. Various
computer software programs are currently available that can calculate the turbulent jet dispersion,
downwind explosive atmospheric locations, and volumes for any given flammable commodity, release
rates and atmospheric data input.
Generally most gases have a low vapour density and will rise. In any event, the height of a gas
plume will mostly be limited by the ambient atmospheric stability and wind speed. If the gases are
ignited, the height of the plume will rise due to the increased buoyancy of the high temperature
gases from the combustion process.
When a liquid is released from process equipment, several things may happen, as shown in the
Figure. If the liquid is stored under pressure at a temperature above its normal boiling point
(superheated), it will flash partially to vapour when released to atmospheric pressure. The vapour
produced may entrain a significant quantity of liquid as droplets. Some of this liquid may rainout
onto the ground, and some may remain suspended as an aerosol with subsequent possible
evaporation. The liquid remaining behind is likely to form a boiling pool which will continue to
evaporate, resulting in additional vapour loading into the air. An example of a superheated release
is a release of liquid ammonia from a pressurized container stored at ambient temperature.
The inhalation of toxic gases can give rise to effects, which range in severity from mild irritation of the
respiratory system to death. Lethal effects of inhalation depend on the concentration of the gas to which
people are exposed and on the duration of exposure. Mostly this dependence is non linear; as the
concentration increases, the time required to produce a specific injury decreases rapidly.
Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) is defined as a condition that poses
immediate danger to life or health, or a condition that poses a threat of severe exposure.
· Personnel must be able to escape without severe eye or respiratory tract irritation or
other condition that might impair their escape.
Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health: (IDLH) is an atmospheric concentration of any toxic,
corrosive, or asphyxiate substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause
irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual’s ability to
escape from a dangerous atmosphere.
19.2 Fire
Fire, or combustion, is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen and heat
is released.
Usually fire occurs when a source of heat comes into contact with a combustible material. If a
combustible liquid or solid is heated it evolves vapour, and if the concentration of vapour is high
enough it forms a flammable mixture with the oxygen of the air. If this flammable mixture is then
heated further to its ignition point, combustion starts. Similarly, a combustible gas or vapour
mixture burns if it is heated to a sufficiently high temperature.
Thus there are three conditions essential for a fire: (1) fuel, (2) oxygen, and (3) heat. These
three conditions are often represented as the fire triangle.
If one of the conditions is missing, fire does not occur and if one of them is removed, fire
is extinguished.
Normally the heat required is initially supplied by an external source and then provided by the
combustion process itself. The amount of heat needed to cause ignition depends on the form of
the substance. A gas or vapour may be ignited by a spark or small flame .
Ignition of a combustible gas or vapour mixture may occur in two ways. In the first the energy for
ignition is supplied by a local source such as a spark or small flame at a point within the mixture.
In the second the bulk gas mixture is heated up to its ignition temperature.
The three conditions of the fire triangle indicate how fires may be fought. The first method is to cut off the
fuel. Th is is particularly relevant for fires caused by leaks on process plant. The second method is to
remove heat. This is usually done by putting water on the fire. The third method is to stop the supply of
oxygen. This may be affected in various ways, including the use of foam or inert gas.
The heat comes from the combustion of fuel. If this fuel is liquid or solid, it must first be vaporized.
With liquids or solids fire usually involves a process of positive feedback. The heat evolved by the
fire causes the vaporization of an increasing amount of fuel and the fire spreads.
Fire normally grows and spreads by direct burning, which results from impingement of the flame
on combustible materials, by heat transfer or by travel of the burning material.
The three main modes of heat transfer are (1) conduction, (2) convection and (3) radiation. All
these modes are significant in heat transfer from fires.
Conduction is important particularly in allowing heat to pass through a solid barrier and ignite
material on the other side.
Most of the heat transfer from fires, however, is by convection and radiation. It is estimated that
in most fires some 75% of the heat emanates by convection. O n open plant much of the heat is
dissipated into the atmosphere, but in steel structures it is transferred to the steel supports.
Radiation is the other main mode of heat transfer. Although it usually accounts for a smaller
proportion of the heat issuing from the fire, radiated heat is transferred directly to nearby
objects, does not go preferentially upwards and crosses open spaces. For these reasons it is
generally the most significant mode of transfer on open plant.
Combustion of a flammable gas/air mixture occurs if the composition of the mixture lies in the
flammable range and if the conditions exist for ignition. As already mentioned, ignition may
result from either (1) bulk gas temperature rise or (2) local ignition.
The combustion of the mixture occurs if the bulk gas is heated up to its auto-ignition
temperature. Alternatively, combustion occurs if there is applied to the mixture a source of
ignition which has sufficient energy to ignite it.
Flammability limits:
A flammable gas burns in air only over a limited range of composition. Below a certain
concentration of the flammable gas, the lower flammability limit, the mixture is too `lean', while
above a certain concentration, the upper flammability limit; it is too `rich'.
The concentrations between these limits constitute the flammable range. The lower and
upper flammability limits (LFL and UFL) are also sometimes called, respectively, the lower
and upper explosive limits (LEL and UEL). They are distinct from the detonability limits.
A flash fire would result if a flammable vapour cloud builds up and engulfs a source of ignition, or
an ignition source is introduced. The volume of the combustion products are approximately 8 times
the volume of the vapour cloud, hence a flash fire would be much larger than the initial un-ignited
vapour cloud. Although a flash fire can cause fatalities by flame impingement, it would be of
insufficient duration to cause escalation unless it develops significant overpressure. It would then
be termed a vapour cloud explosion.
Due to the short duration of a flash fire, fatalities are considered to occur only within the flame itself.
· Release rate;
· Composition;
· Wind conditions.
Dispersion calculations should be performed to estimate the maximum gas cloud sizes within
the LFL. These have been based upon horizontal releases into open air in the same direction
as the wind for various wind speeds.
The results of the gas dispersion calculations shall be represented graphically. These results will
be used to assess the potential for an ignition source to be engulfed in a vapour cloud, the extent
of potential flash fires and the potential for explosion.
The dispersion calculations are valid for open area releases. Releases in congested areas will not
disperse so readily and this will be taken into account in the assessment of effects on personnel
and asset.
· the heavier gases, propane and butane, produce similar size gas clouds for the
same releases rate;
· methane gas tends to rise more rapidly due to buoyancy, particularly in light wind conditions;
The larger the gas cloud, the greater the size of the flash fire and potential explosion
overpressure upon ignition.
Gas or vapour releases from holes in high-pressure hydrocarbon inventories give rise to turbulent
jet fires if ignited. With this fire type pure fuel is released through an orifice and the air required for
combustion is entrained from the surrounding atmosphere. At high release rates, the jet becomes
highly turbulent, entrains more air and burns hotter.
The jet lengths have been modelled using SHELL FRED (4.0). FRED uses the ‘Chamberlain’
model developed by the Shell Oil Company to derive gas jet flame lengths.
Releases from the liquid phase of a process vessel (e.g. separator) will typically be driven by the
vapour pressure of the liquid. Once the gas/liquid interface falls below the level of the leak a gas
jet fire release will ensue driven by the pressure of the gas in the system.
High-pressure condensate releases will atomise due to the momentum of release and vaporise due
to the heat from the fire and burn as a self sustaining jet, some heavier fractions can drop out when
the pressure drops to below approximately 5 bar(a), resulting in surface pool fire forming below the
jet fire.
Thermal radiation isopleths are propo rtional to the size of the jet fire. The dimensions of 1.5, 4.7,
6.3, 12.5 and 37.5 kW/m2 isopleths shall be calculated and included on the graph to facilitate
assessment of effects on personnel and impairment of safety critical systems. The jet flame length
(metres) for methane releases may be approximated from the mass release rate, m (kg/s) using a
power law curve as follows:
Jet flame lengths for propane, butane and condensate are approximately 15% longer than
for methane.
The unobstructed jet fires will only occur from ignited releases originating from inventories at the edge of
the process area and orientated outboard. These are less likely to cause damage or fatalities.
Due to the congestion presented by the equipment and pipe work, the majority of potential
process fires on the process area will be obstructed. These obstructed jet fires will result in a
fireball type of fire, instead of a jet fire.
For jet fires, the fire fighting systems (firewater or other fire fighting agents) are not efficient to fight
such types of fires due to the high momentum release initiating such jet fires. Hence, the only way
to control jet fires is to limit the isolatable inventory feeding the jet flame.
The jet fire will deplete by time due to the decrease in driving force across the release point
"the hole", consequently the jet flame is expected to be reduced by time.
For jet fires, it is essential to predict the approximate jet fire time duration in order to assess the
extent of the hazardous consequences. Based on the isolatable section inventory within the
system and the assumption that all operators are aware and trained to deal with such emergency
situations, the approximate jet fire duration can be estimated as short duration fires.
If the ESD system shall operate effectively in such cases; hence the approximate jet fire durations
can be estimated as too short to cause fatality, injury or massive damage to equipment.
Most jet fires will be obstructed due to the relatively congested layouts. These will burn as a
continuous fireball. The diameter of these fireballs and the associated thermal radiation isopleths
are calculated by considering the thermal radiation levels surrounding the fire.
For fires above single grade level, the radiation isopleths are in the shape of a hemisphere. The
heat radiated through the hemispherical skin is assumed to be equal to the heat generated by the
burning as follows:
And r = v(m.H.p/2.?.Q)
The actual fireball radius is estimated based on setting Q at 150 kW/m 2, which gives a conservative
fire size. Curves are also calculated for the 1.5, 4.7, 6.3, 12.5 and 37.5 kW/m 2 isopleths.
For fires between multiple levels structure, the radiation isopleth is assumed to be in the shape of
a cylinder, the height of which is the distance between decks.
And r = (m.H.p/2.?.h.Q)
For instance, a fireball in the centre of the deck level associated with a release rate greater than
approximately 5 kg/s would produce fatal radiation levels to a distance about 20m from the fire
source. In reality, the fire would soon become ventilation limited and would tend to fill the area
with flames lapping out around the perimeter.
Liquid pool fires may occur on ground floors or elevated plated levels or plated decks or in
bunded areas due to:
Liquid rain out from high pressure jet fires will be relatively small and will not be assessed as
the resulting pool fire would have no additional consequences to the coincident jet fire.
A high pressure liquid release would spray over a wide area and create a large flammable vapour
cloud. Upon ignition, the fire would rapidly flash back to the source of the leak and burn as a liquid
jet fire until the fuel is exhausted.
A low pressure release of flammable liquid will drain into the drip pans located under vessels
and tanks containing liquid inventories. These will be drained to the hazardous open drains
system. Ignition would result in a pool fire in the drip pan under the vessel.
The risk from pool fires to personnel or the asset is much less significant when compared to the
jet fire or explosion hazards present on the facility and can be reasonably screened out from
further assessment.
Since, liquid hold up volumes is small compared to the gas volumes, liquid fires can be
reasonably screened out from further assessment.
General:
The release scenarios shall be simulated based on 3-hole sizes 0.25 inch, representing instrument
fitting failure, 1.0 inch rep resenting small pipe leak and 4.0 inches leak representing a 4-inch pipe
full bore rupture or 4-inch hole size in a larger pipe diameter (corresponds to 5-mm, 25 -mm and
100-mm), with wind speed of 1 m/s and stability class "F" representing "Very Stable" weather
conditions and with wind speed of 10 m/s and stability class "A" representing " Very Unstable"
weather conditions.
The released gases shall form a dispersing plume which tends to rise upwards to the lighter-than-
air characteristics of the Natural Gas.
Since the main function of the pressure reduction station is to reduce the high pressure gas to
low pressure gas by throttling the gas, there are basically two categories of pressures mainly:
1. High pressure gases upstream the pressure reduction station (Maximum of 70 Bars).
2. Low pressure gases downstream the pressure reduction station (Maximum of 7 Bars).
The release scenarios shall be performed for both HP and LP cases for the 3 -hole sizes, in order
to give a full picture of the released gas characteristics.
If the released gases between the LFL and the UFL inside the plume ignite, shall for a flash
fire, which has relatively short time duration.
The jet frustum fire (flame length) and heat radiation distances are measured in meters.
Since the jet fire is originally a high momentum directed jet release, hence the effects of
wind direction, wind speed or atmospheric stability on the jet flame are minimal.
For jet fires, the fire fighting systems (firewater or other fire fighting agents) are not efficient to fight
such types of fires due to the high momentum release initiating such jet fires. Hence, the only way
to control jet fires is to limit the isolatable inventory feeding the jet fire.
The jet fire will deplete by time due to the decrease in driving force across the release point
"the hole", consequently the jet flame is expected to be reduced by time.
For jet fires, it is essential to predict the approximate jet fire time duration in order to assess
the extent of the hazardous consequences.
20.1 High Pressure Release from 100-mm (4-Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (1A)
General:
This case model considers the scenario of a full bore rupture of 4 inch piping or 4 inch hole in a
larger diameter piping, which represents the worst case scenario as the release source is a high
pressure major leak.
The proposed hazardous area resulting from the gas cloud shall be limited by the upper
flammability limit (UFL) and the lower flammability limit (LFL), which if ignited results in flash fire.
The following figure represents the side view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical
display illustrating the LFL/UFL limits and the maximum plume height.
The following table represents the LFL and UFL limits and heights of the gas cloud (Plume) in figures.
The following figure represents the plan view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical display on
the actual plot plan.
Jet Fire:
The following figure represents the side view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical
display illustrating the heat radiation levels.
The following figure represents the plan view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical display
on the actual plot plan.
20.2 High Pressure Release from 25-mm (1 -Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (1B)
General:
This case model considers the scenario of a leak of 1 inch hole size in a larger diameter piping,
which represents the medium case scenario as the release source is a high pressure minor leak.
The proposed hazardous area resulting from the gas cloud shall be limited by the upper
flammability limit (UFL) and the lower flammability limit (LFL), which if ignited results in flash fire.
The following figure represents the side view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical
display illustrating the LFL/UFL limits and the maximum plume height.
The following table represents the LFL and UFL limits and heights of the gas cloud (Plume) in figures.
The following figure represents the plan view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical display on
the actual plot plan.
Jet Fire:
The following figure represents the side view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical
display illustrating the heat radiation levels.
The following figure represents the plan view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical display
on the actual plot plan.
20.3 High Pressure Release from 5-mm (1/4-Inch) Leak Upstream PRS (1C)
General:
This case model considers the scenario of a pin hole leak of 1/4 inch hole size in a larger diameter
piping, which represents the mildest case scenario as the release source is from a pin hole leak.
The proposed hazardous area resulting from the gas cloud shall be limited by the upper
flammability limit (UFL) and the lower flammability limit (LFL), which if ignited results in flash fire.
The following figure represents the side view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical
display illustrating the LFL/UFL limits and the maximum plume height.
The following table represents the LFL and UFL limits and heights of the gas cloud (Plume) in figures.
The following figure represents the plan view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical display on
the actual plot plan.
Jet Fire:
The following figure represents the side view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical
display illustrating the heat radiation levels.
The following figure represents the plan view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical display
on the actual plot plan.
20.4 Low Pressure Release from 100-mm (4 Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (2A)
General:
This case model considers the scenario of a full bore rupture of 4 inch piping or 4 inch hole in a
larger diameter piping, which represents the worst case scenario of the low pressure case
downstream the PRS, as the release is from major leak.
The proposed hazardous area resulting from the gas cloud shall be limited by the upper
flammability limit (UFL) and the lower flammability limit (LFL), which if ignited results in flash fire.
The following figure represents the side view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical
display illustrating the LFL/UFL limits and the maximum plume height.
The following table represents the LFL and UFL limits and heights of the gas cloud (Plume) in figures.
The following figure represents the plan view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical display on
the actual plot plan.
Jet Fire:
The following figure represents the side view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical
display illustrating the heat radiation levels.
The following figure represents the plan view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical display
on the actual plot plan.
20.5 Low Pressure Release from 25-mm (1-Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (2B)
General:
This case model considers the scenario of a minor leak from 1 inch hole size in a larger diameter
piping, which represents the medium case scenario as the release source is from a minor leak.
The proposed hazardous area resulting from the gas cloud shall be limited by the upper
flammability limit (UFL) and the lower flammability limit (LFL), which if ign ited results in flash fire.
The following figure represents the side view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical
display illustrating the LFL/UFL limits and the maximum plume height.
The following table represents the LFL and UFL limits and heights of the gas cloud (Plume) in figures.
The following figure represents the plan view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical display on
the actual plot plan.
Jet Fire:
The following figure represents the side view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical
display illustrating the heat radiation levels.
The following figure represents the plan view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical display
on the actual plot plan.
20.6 Low Pressure Release from 5 -mm (1/4 -Inch) Leak Downstream PRS (2C)
General:
This case model considers the scenario of a pin hole leak of 1/4 inch hole size in a larger diameter
piping, which represents the mildest case scenario as the release source is from a pin hole leak.
The proposed hazardous area resulting from the gas cloud shall be limited by the upper
flammability limit (UFL) and the lower flammability limit (LFL), which if ignited results in flash fire.
The following figure represents the side view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical
display illustrating the LFL/UFL limits and the maximum plume height.
The following table represents the LFL and UFL limits and heights of the gas cloud (Plume) in figures.
The following figure represents the plan view of the gas cloud (Plume) as a graphical display on
the actual plot plan.
Jet Fire:
The following figure represents the side view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical
display illustrating the heat radiation levels.
The following figure represents the plan view of the jet fire (Torch Flame) as a graphical display
on the actual plot plan.
21 Likelihood Data
The detailed Generic values for equipment failure frequencies are summarized in the following
table (based on API-581 - Table 8.1):
Based on the above mentioned hole size distribution and data indicated by the API-581, the
failure data for various equipment are indicated in the following tables.
The failure data for the pipeline are summarized in the following table:
The pipeline leak frequency shall be calculated from the process piping of diameter of 4 inches
failure rate with overall length of approximately (100 meters) as the worst case scenario of the
highest failure rate of (1.3 X 10-4).
The failure data for the PRS is summarized in the following table:
The PRS leak frequency shall be calculated from the process piping of diameter ranges from 1
inch to 4 inches failure rate with overall length of approximately (50 meters) as the worst case
scenario of the highest failure rate of (1.5 X 10-4).
The probability of ignition depends on the availability of a flammable mixture, the flammable
mixture reaching an ignition source and the type of ignition source (energy etc.).
· Hot work
· Faults in electrical equipment
· Faults in rotating equipment
· Ignition caused by combustion engines or hot surfaces
· Automatic ignition in the event of a fracture or rupture
· Static electricity
· Flare / open flame
Ignition probability data are provided for both gas and oil releases based on mass release rate.
22 Risk Assessment
Risk shall be determined for both workers and public using international risk management
guidelines as a reference. The risk will be compared with international risk acceptance criteria.
· Failure rate.
· Consequence rate.
· Ignition probability.
· Vulnerability assumptions.
Where:
Vulnerability: is the likelihood that the specific person will be fatally injured by the effect of the
event (determined from the consequence modelling software).
In order to calculate Individual Risk ‘IR’ for workers, there is a need to identify who is exposed to
the fire and explosion hazards from all hazards at the PRS station, not just as a result of gas
leaks. The proportion of time individuals is exposed to the hazards and their vulnerability should
be considered in estimating this risk. Vulne rability is the probability that exposure to the
fire/explosion hazards will result in fatality. The following calculations relate to the most vulnerable
individuals on site, identified to be workers involved in fire-fighting.
The major contributory factor for the increased level of ‘IR’ is the potential gas vapour cloud explosion
due to the confined conditions of the pressure reduction streams and the Odomatic system.
Evaluation of Individual Risks as shown in FIGURE 22.1 indicates that individual risk to workers
at the PRS to be within the ALARP region. This should be reduced to a level that is as low as
reasonably practicable, taking cost into account.
1.0E - 03/year
-
1.2E - 03/yr 1.0E 03 per person/yr
ALARP
ALARP
42.5E2E-05 per yr
1.0E - 05/year
-
1.0E 05 per person/yr
The general public exposed to major hazards as a result of the PRS activities are road users
around the site and residents in buildings nearby. Modelling of the consequences identified
gas/odorant releases to affect the public outside the station. The station is surrounded by busy
roads, as well as the public buildings.
1.0E- 03/year/
1.2E - 03/yr
-
1.0E 03 per person/yr
ALARP
ALARP
92.0E2E-05 per yr
1.0E - 05/year
-
1.0E 05 per person/yr
It is therefore concluded that, Individual Risk to the public is also within the ALARP region and
should be reduced to a level as low as reasonably practicable.
These risks shall be evaluated against the international risk acceptance criteria.
23 Risk Evaluation
The risks assessed shall be evaluated based on the international risk acceptance criteria.
The ALARP principle has been adopted for risk evaluation. The ALARP region is that point at which
the time, effort difficulty and cost of further risk reduction become out of proportion compared with
the amount of risk reduction achieved.
Risks lower than the ALARP region risks will be considered minor risk and consequently they will
not be considered.
Risks higher than the ALARP region risks will be considered major risk and consequently they will
be not acceptable and further reduction measures are required.
The international risk acceptance criteria are presented in the following figure .
UNACCEPTABLE REGION
Workers
ACCEPTABLE REGION
From the risk assessment and the international risk acceptance criteria the conclusion is presented
in the following table.
Risk reduction measures (Recommendations) may include reducing the risk by several
technically feasible methods, generally are as follows:
It has been concluded that the risk falls within the ALARP region for the individual risk to workers
and public within the industrial area (PRS).
This is due to population density of the residential areas, as well as the population is present most
of the time, while in the industrial areas the population is relatively low as well as because the
existence of the safety precautions and procedures and the protection measures.
Since the calculated risk (ALARP region) is close to the acceptable region (1 X 10 -5), hence there
are some minor risk reduction measures required to reduce the calculated risk beyond the
acceptance border. These risk reduction measures (recommendations) are summarized as follows:
· The control room inlet door should be located in the upwind direction away from the
PRS station (Inlet door should not face the PRS station).
· Alternatively, the control room should be provided by a secondary means of escape at the
back side of the room, which shall be used in case of blockage of the main escape route by
jet fires.
· Consider jet fire rated passive fire protection system be applied to all safety critical
shutdown valves ESDVs or Solenoid valves in order to maintain small isolatable
inventories. (As applicable)
· It is strongly recommended that the block isolation valve at the off-take point from the
coming pipeline, to be placed in a safe place protected fro m jet fire for personnel
intervention in case of emergency in order to isolate the pipeline as soon as possible.
· It is recommended to include the prevailing wind direction on the PRS site plan.
· It is recommended to have an elevated wind sock installed in the PRS site, which can be
seen from the control room and from outside the fence to determine the direction of gas
migration in case of major gas leak.
· It is recommended to have a gas detection system within the PRS area to automatically sense
the released gases as a percentage of LFL, in order to provide early warnings of gas release.
· Also, it is recommended to have point gas detectors at the control room HVAC intake
to automatically sense the released gases as a percentage of LFL, in order to provide
early warnings of gas release, if provided .
· Investigate a strategy to inform the residential area beside the PRS with the risk associated
with the activities as well as the methods required for annunciating if any leak occurs.
· The design should fully comply with IGE TD/3 code requirements.
· There is a need to develop a safe system of work, based on risk assessment for dealing
with potential gas leaks.
· Consideration should be given to the remote actuation of isolation and slam-shut valves by
Town Gas SCADA System for PRS’s as well as the transmission and distribution pipelines.
· There is a need to produce a ‘Station Manual’ for each PRS. This manual should include
formalized procedures, including precautions and a site scenario specific emergency plan.
· Site emergency plans must take into account wind direction and stability and should
consider interfaces with other adjacent parties as well as the public living nearby.
· Town Gas needs to consider the security arrangements for all PRS’s.
· Consider formalizing procedures for filling the odorant storage tank, to include
necessary precautions in the event of possible leaks.
· There is a need that Town Gas should apply risk assessment to all activities and to
formalize procedures and permit-to-work systems.
25 Conclusion
Quantitative risk assessment study has been performed for the new facilities (Pressure Reduction
Station and only the associated portion of the connecting pipeline) by Town Gas Company.
For the purpose of the analysis it has been assumed that the PRS open area is not normally manned but
will be frequently visited by operations and maintenance teams comprising at least two personnel.
SHELL FRED version (4.0) has been selected for the consequence modeling of different types
of hazardous consequences as follows:
SHELL FRED version (4.0) is Shell’s suite of Fire, Release, Explosion and Dispersion models used
to predict the consequences of the accidental or design release of product from process, storage or
distribution operations.
For the PRS release scenario, the leak have been simulated based on 3 -hole sizes 0.25 inch,
representing instrument fitting failure, 1.0 inch representing small pipe leak and 4.0 inches leak
representing a 4-inch pipe full bore rupture or 4-inch hole size in a larger pipe diameter
(corresponds to 5 -mm, 25-mm and 100 -mm), with wind speed of 1 m/s and stability class "F"
representing "Very Stable" weather conditions and with wind speed of 10 m/s and stability class
"A" representing " Very Unstable" weather conditions.
For the PRS gas dispersion scenario, the flammable gas dispersion distances (flash fires) have
been simulated based on 3-hole sizes (5mm, 25mm and 100mm) and 2-wind cases (1F and 10A).
The gas dispersion distances are calculated in terms of Lower Flammability Limits (LFL) and Upper
Flammability Limits (UFL).
The heat radiation from flash fires will not significantly affect equipment and structure due to the
short duration of flash fires.
Flash fires are represented by the extent of the flammability limits of the released gases.
As a conclusion, flash fires are predicted to emanate from the PRS isolatable section. The pipeline
flash fire presents the worst case scenario due to the relatively higher inventory and long duration
of release potential.
The jet frustum fire (flame length) and heat radiation distances are measured in meters.
Process release failure frequencies and ignition probabilities have been identified for the
detailed quantitative risk assessment (QRA) purposes.
Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) has been performed to all hazardous events developed from
the scenario development section.
The risks have been assessed for the industrial workers and general public in different areas.
The risks assessed have been evaluated based on the international risk acceptance criteria.
It has been concluded that the risk falls within the ALARP region for the individual risk to workers
and public within the industrial area (PRS).
Finally, risk reduction measures (recommendations) have been proposed to reduce the risk
and improve the facilities safety standards.
26 References
1. NFPA 325M,