Quantitative Risk Assessment is a technique used to systematically calculate the risks from hazardous events. It involves predicting the size of consequences associated with a hazard, and the frequency at which a release of the hazard may be expected to occur. These aspects are then combined in order to obtain numerical values for risk – usually risk of fatality.
Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Study is a technique to evaluate the potential hazards which are associated with the Existing facilities and for proposed new facilities of Operation and Maintenance. This study is carried out by a team of engineers from different disciplines. The team looks at each section of a plant or system or operation, considers potential hazards from intended operation and analyses their consequences against any existing safeguards.
M/s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited has a Bulk Marketing cum Tap off point Oil at HPCL Cassimode Depot. The terminal handles FO, Bitumen products.
Risk Assessment study for HPCL Cassimode BOT terminal included the following steps.
- Identification of Hazards (Fire / Explosion uncontrolled release of Hazardous material / Flash Fire / Jet Fire / Over Pressure Explosion etc.)
- Identification of Maximum Credible Accident (MCA) scenario.
- Frequency Analysis using internationally accepted database and Evaluation of the -likelihood of occurrence of possible events.
- Consequence modelling and analysis for the identified hazard covering impact on people and potential escalation
- Estimation of Individual Risk(IR) and Societal Risk (SR)
- Recommendations
- Identify the hazards inherent to the proposal.
- Identify the credible human and/or equipment instrument failures likely to lead to accident scenarios/Operability Problems.
- Qualitatively assess the risk and provide recommendations to overcome the hazards if required.
- In addition to these issues, HAZOP identifies items which could improve unit operations and efficiency
