Full-Scale Experiments on the Evaluation of Breakdown Consequences at the Gas-Hazardous Objects and Their Practical Implementation. Nikolai Belov, Senior Researcher of Gas Research Institute, VNIIGAZ, Razvilka, Moscow Region, 142717, Russia, fax (095) 399-16-77, e-mail n_belov@nv.vniigaz.gazprom.ru
For the first time the problem of analysis and evaluation of man-caused risks was dealt with in Russia in connection with the discovery and development of the toxic and sulfur-containing natural gas fields. To the most extent this problem manifested itself at the emergency emissions of such gases into atmosphere. Due to their dispersion, under certain meteorological conditions, the dangerous for the human health and life concentrations of the highly toxic hydrogen sulphide in the air reached the distances of scores of kilometers from the place of breakdown (it should be noted that the H2S concentration in the range of 900-1000 mg/m3 causes instantaneous lethal outcome). It can be easily seen that the problem of the safety of population and the environmental protection acquires a paramount importance.
It becomes clear, that it is important not only to create the scientific-methodological and normative-technical basis for forecasting levels of man-caused and environmental risk, but also to formulate the strategic perspective for establishing the risk management system. All the leads of VNIIGAZ scientific activity together with that of other scientific centers of Russia initiated the development of the federal technical policy in the field of man-caused risks. The pioneer role of the Russia’s gas industry lies in the fact that the scientific research in that field had started long before the tragic events at the Chernobyl atomic power station.
In the framework of the program scientific investigations on the studied problem unique full-scale experiments have been carried out. Their essence was in the imitation of emergency discharges of H2S-containing natural gas into atmosphere and measuring H2S concentration in the ground surface layer of atmosphere at various distances (up to 30 km) from the emergency «source». Apart from that, the program investigations also included the carried out analysis and generalised breakdown rate data at the gas and oil industries facilities.
The long-term cycle of experimental, theoretical and analytical experiments carried out by VNIIGAZ became the foundation for establishing and implementation of the federal strategy in the law-making, technical and social and economical policy in the field of analysis, evaluation, control and management of risk in technosphere.
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