Risk analysis of a typical chemical industry using ORA procedure

This paper presents a risk assessment study of a typical chemical process ( sulfolane manufacturing) industry using optimum risk analysis (ORA) methodo logy recently proposed by these authors (Khan, F. I., & Abbasi, S. A. (1995 ). Risk analysis; a systematic method for harzard identification and assess ment. Journal of Industrial Pollution Control, 9(2), 66; Khan, F. I., & Abb asi, S. A. (1998a). Techniques for risk analysis of chemical process indust ries. Journal of Loss Prevention in Process Industries, 11(2), 91.) The pap er also describes briefly the different steps of ORA methodology and the av ailable techniques and tools to conduct each step of the ORA. The study sug gests that the reactor and the storage units of the industry are highly vul nerable to accidents and need elaborate safety arrangements. The damage pot ential of these units is such that its impact would permeate far beyond the plant boundaries and would cause damage to nearby areas. A few recommendat ions have been made to reduce the existing risk potential. However, the ind ustry still needs to have high level safety arrangements and emergency proc edures in position to counter any unwanted situation in the industry. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.