Effect of wind directions on human injury and fatality risk modeling due to vapor cloud explosion in offshore platforms

Abstract

Vapor cloud explosion (VCE) accidents have the potential to cause loss of life in offshore platforms. In order to quantify risk, quantitative risk assessment has served as a robust methodology. However, previous research focuses on macroscale assessment of risk which does not take into consideration the local specific details such as piping and equipment congestions. The overpressure developed by VCE is greatly influenced by local specific details. In addition, VCE occurs due to the ignition of vapor cloud that is influenced by parameters such as wind speeds and directions. This study investigates the effect of different wind conditions on VCE and resulting human injury and fatality risk by employing a grid‐based approach in an offshore platform. Flame Acceleration Simulator software is utilized to model dispersion of vapor cloud and resulting VCE. The methodology is an integrated tool that enables a grid‐by‐grid mapping risk, thereby providing a complete and precise picture of risk in all the locations. It was found that risk values were increased to maximum of 91% when wind speed was increased from 0 to 7 m/s. Among four wind directions, West to East wind direction recorded maximum risk values and South to North wind direction recorded minimum risk values.

Grid‐based assessment of hydrogen leakages for an offshore process to improve the design and human performance

“…Figure 13 shows the risk level of the MPs throughout the SMR offshore module. This study uses the offshore human fatality threshold of 1 × 10 −4 46,47 to determine which MPs are above this threshold. A general trend is observed where the increase in wind speed results in reduced risk levels for all the MPs.…”

Investigating Vapour Cloud Explosion Dynamic Fatality Risk on Offshore Platforms by Using a Grid-Based Framework

“…The grid-based approach facilitates microlevel risk assessment by considering the location and specific details. However, a limited number of research studies have employed the grid-based approach for risk representation [15,[30][31][32][33][34]. The grid-based approach has been utilised to analyse explosion and fire risk considering the processing area of an offshore facility [15], establishing design accident loads [30], determining the risk of human fatality from secondary grade release considering a gas dehydration unit [31], risk estimation for processing facilities that are close to residential areas [32], human fatality risk estimation due to VCE accidents on offshore facilities [33], and for risk estimation at hydrogen refueling stations [34].…”

“…Hazard Identification and Ranking Analysis (HIRA) formulation. Reproduced with permission from Niazi et al[33], Process Safety Progress; published by Wiley, 2020.…”