Assessment of risks posed by chemical industries - application of a new computer automated tool MAXCRED-III

The paper describes the application of a new computer automated tool, devel oped by us, in the risk analysis of a typical chemical industry engaged in the manufacture of linear alkyl benzene. Using the tool-a comprehensive sof tware package MAXCRED-III (MAXimum CREDible accident analysis)-nine differe nt scenarios, one for each storage unit, have been studied. It is observed that the accident scenario for chlorine (instantaneous release followed by dispersion) leads to the largest area-under-lethal-impact, while the accide nt scenario for propylene (CVCE followed by fireball) forecasts the most in tense damage per unit area. The accidents involving propylene, benzene, and fuel oil have a high possibility of causing domino/secondary accidents as their destructive impacts (shock waves, heat load) would envelope other sto rage and process units. Besides demonstrating the utilizability of MAXCRED-III, this study also foc uses attention on the need to bestow greater effort towards risk assessment /crisis management. The authors hope that the study will highlight the seve rity of the risk posed by the industry and thus generate safety consciousne ss among plant managers. The study may also help in developing accident-pre vention strategies and the installation of damage control devices. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.