Abstract of Meeting Paper

Society for Risk Analysis - Europe 1998 Annual Meeting

Consequences of Potential Accidents in Heavy Water Plants. Cornelia Croitoru, Chem. Eng., (telephone 040-050-732744, fax 040- 050-732746, e-mail ccroitoru@icsi.ro <mailto:ccroitoru@icsi.ro>), Roxana Elena Lazar, Eng., Irina Aida Preda, Computer Sc., and Maria Dumitrescu, Ph.D, National Institute - ICSI Rm. Valcea, O.P 4, C.P. 10, Rm. Valcea, Romania

Heavy water plants realise the primary isotopic concentrations of water using H2O-H2S chemical exchange and they are chemical plants. As these plants are handling and spreading large quantities of hydrogen sulphide (high toxic, corrosive, flammable and explosive gas) maintained in the process at relative high temperatures and pressures, it is required an assessing of risks associated with the potential accidents. The H2S released in atmosphere as a result of an accident will have negative consequences to property, population and environment. This paper presents a model of consequences’ quantitative assessment and its outcome for the most dangerous accident in heavy water plants. Several states of the art risk based methods were modified and linked together to form a proper model for this analyse. Five basic steps to identify the risks involved in operating the plants are followed: hazard identification, accident sequence development, H2S emissions' calculus, dispersion analyses and consequences' determination. A brief description of each step and some information of analysis results are provided. The accident proportions, the atmospheric conditions and the population density in the respective area were accounted for consequences' calculus. The specific results of the consequences' analysis allow to develop the plant’s operating safety requirements so that the risk remain at an acceptable level.


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