Mechanical integrity of process installations

An assessment based on bow-ties

Journal article (2019)

Authors

P.J.H. Schmitz OCI-Nitrogen
P.H.J.J. Swuste Safety and Security Science - TPM
G.L.L.M.E. Reniers Safety and Security Science - TPM
K.L.L. van Nunen Universiteit Antwerpen
Research Group
Safety and Security Science (TPM) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2019 P.J.H. Schmitz, P.H.J.J. Swuste, G.L.L.M.E. Reniers, K.L.L. van Nunen
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1977017
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Published Date

2019

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Department

Values Technology and Innovation

Research Group

Safety and Security Science

Abstract

Research was carried out in an ammonia plant of OCI Nitrogen, located at the Chemelot site in Geleen, The Netherlands. It focuses on the development of process safety accident processes in which loss of mechanical integrity is one of the root causes. A significant share of the mechanical integrity scenarios originate from corrosion mechanisms which develop over a relatively long time period, possibly taking months, years or even longer before turning into an event. Based on an example, a failure mechanism is worked out and visualized using a bow tie. Bow-ties have shown a good visual representation of the 'early warnings' and the barriers in place. The monitoring of the 'early warnings' and barriers can provide information about the current probability of the scenario in order to intervene prematurely.

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