Risk reduction of operating procedures and process flowsheets

Abstract: "A unified risk reduction strategy, that uses Fault Tree Analysis, proposes modifications in chemical operations that include the process flowsheet, control system, and operating procedures. The modifications commonly involve the establishment of stationary states. These states allow for longer process time constants and support intermediate state verification. Relative importance is used to identify quantitatively the dominant causes of risk, which are modified to produce safer and more reliable processes. The strategy is tested on the design of a pump system startup, and risk reduction of several orders of magnitude is achieved."