Inherently safer plants: An update

Abstract

The usual procedure in plant design has been to identify potential hazards and operating problems. A technique such as hazard and operability studies is used and protective equipment is added to control potential hazards. In an inherently safer design the author tries to avoid hazards and operating problems by a change in the design. He asks if one can manage with less of the hazardous material (intensification); if one can use the hazardous material in a less dangerous form (attenuation). Alternatively he asks if one can limit the effect of hazards, not by adding something on but by changing reaction conditions, or by limiting the amount of energy available.