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Understanding and managing the risk during transient operations
Author(s) -
Vaughen Bruce K.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
process safety progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.378
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1547-5913
pISSN - 1066-8527
DOI - 10.1002/prs.12146
Subject(s) - transient (computer programming) , idle , process (computing) , process safety management , risk analysis (engineering) , shut down , asset (computer security) , reliability engineering , reliability (semiconductor) , work (physics) , process safety , engineering , operations management , computer science , work in process , computer security , business , hazardous waste , mechanical engineering , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , operating system , waste management , nuclear engineering
This paper presents the results from more than 50 incidents attributed in part to the process safety risks associated with abnormal, transient operations during start‐ups and shut‐downs. A transient operation is defined in this paper as the time when the process is in transition between one operating state and another. In particular, the transient operations‐related focus is on the time when equipment is taken from its safe, idle state to its safe operating conditions (a start‐up) and vice versa, when the equipment is then taken back to its safe, idle state (a shut‐down). There are 10 different start‐up and shut‐down operating modes during normal operations, abnormal operations, and emergency operations. The incidents in this review were attributed to weaknesses in administrative controls that did not work as planned and engineering controls that did not perform as expected. Due to these weaknesses, unexpected events occurred, resulting in quick decisions made without adequately understanding the hazards, evaluating the risks, or managing the changes. In many cases, had the asset integrity and reliability program been in place or effective operational readiness review performed before attempting the process restarts, the risks associated with the transient operating mode could have been reduced.