Singapore-based BMT Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (BMT) has completed an explosion impact and vent dispersion study for Linde, the gas and engineering company. The study is for newly proposed nydrogen plants, which are to be constructed within existing petrochemical facilities in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Drawing on its knowledge and experience in risk and system assurance, BMT conducted a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the possible impacts of explosion overpressure due to catastrophic failure of selected equipment. The assessment also analysed the impacts of toxicity and flammability from vent gas dispersion, to establish associated risks to the safety of personnel and the identified critical infrastructure.
Sin Yan Cheng, Senior Consultant (Risk & Safety) at BMT Asia Pacific Pte Ltd explains: “This study was somewhat challenging due to the specific project requirements. The use of extremely flammable and explosive hydrogen gas, coupled with high pressure/temperature operating conditions has the potential to cause a loss of containment, which in turn can create a hazardous environment for staff and surrounding buildings. Our explosion simulation along with detailed illustrations, allowed us to demonstrate the possible impacts to the infrastructure by the overpressures – information which is vital for Linde to move forward to the next stage of the planning process.”
Following the assessment, BMT put forward several recommendations for Linde to further improve the safety of the proposed hydrogen plants including an equipment design review and relocation of critical infrastructure.
A further frequency assessment was also recommended to provide a more complete view of potential explosive risks which considered both the severity and likelihood of occurrence.
For more information, visit www.bmtasiapacific.com or www.linde.com