A three-step risk analysis methodology for biomass storage facilities

Abstract

Fire and explosion risks in the biomass industry deserve more attention. Both the lack of specificity of most of the existing risk analysis methods and the scarcity of historical records and field data in comparison with other industries justify the interest in exploring new methodologies adapted to this sector. The objective of the present study was to develop a new approach for assessing dust explosion risks in large biomass storage facilities. The proposed methodology consists of three steps rooted in previous methods, from a simple qualitative checklist procedure to a semi-quantitative Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) approach. In addition, this novel three-step technique was applied to a case study and the corresponding results have been discussed. This methodology proved to reduce subjectivity, since the three steps complemented each other. In addition, it could avoid the overestimation of safety measures. Furthermore, this approach followed common engineering protocols; each step could be linked with a stage of the plant design. The proposal presented in this study could be of value to the biomass and bioenergy sector and to other industries.