ProjectAims and Description
Chemical Hazard Assessment
active
Started: March 2024
Chair: Annik Nanchen / Pier-Jan Hettema

Both wanted and unwanted chemical reactions can produce heat. Such reactions have the potential to create “run away” reactions where temperature and pressure increase and with potential sever consequences. Both the incidents in Bhopal and Seveso were caused by an unknown runaway reaction. Full understanding of your chemistry under design conditions and potential other conditions (like high temperature and pressure or increased concentration) must be created before even starting the plant design. This Working Group will be focussed on good practices to do a Chemical Hazard Analysis, in order to avoid chemical hazards like run-away reactions.

Fluor Free Foams
active
Started: Oct 2023
Chair: Eric Paillier

As fluor components are a potential threat to environment related to their stability, the fluor containing foams to extinguish fires, are likely to be replaced by alternatives. Specifically the change from A3F to 3F foam is concerned. This has serious impact on existing fire emergency response aspects. In the Working Group these aspects can be identified and approaches can be discussed. Goal is to continue a safe and compliant emergency response in case of a release of a flammable material.

Early Leak Detection
active
Started: Apr 2023
Chair: Dirk Roosendans

This Working Group facilitates discussion on new technologies (besides traditional gas detection, other techniques like IR, sound, visual etc. can be considered) to detect leakages.
Serious incidents have occurred after leakages (Flixborough, Seveso). When such leakages are quickly detected the consequence of incidents can be limited. By combining knowledge and ideas the development of new technologies can become more efficient.

Energy Transition
active
Started: Aug 2021
Chair: Dirk Roosendans and Pol Hoorelbeke

Reduction of CO2 emissions will involve new chemical processes and energy carriers like hydrogen and ammoniac. The new use of these chemicals and processes will involve new hazards (potential releases of chemicals and energy) that require technical barriers and operational practices to avoid releases. This Working Group is expected to raise awareness and create output that can help to improve process safety, that is reduce the likelihood of leakages and the consequence of those.

HAZOP Efficiency
active
Started: Sept 2020
Chair: Margit Hahn
Process hazard analysis can be difficult and costly. How can you be sure that you have identified all causes? Have you estimated the consequences well and how do you make sure your HAZOP study does not become a boring, extremely long and costly process? Practical solutions and good practices from members will be discussed in this EPSC Working Group.
Process Safety in Pharma and Consumer Industries
active
Started: 2015
Chair: Dan Benton
The pharmaceuticals sector provides some unusual challenges for process safety, with much use of batch production, frequent adaptation of plant design, and complex process requirements. This environment is not unique to drug manufacture, but it requires specific process safety expertise. The objective of this group is experience exchange relating to pharmaceutical industries or those operating with similar processes.

EPSC Learning Sheet

The Learning Sheets are meant to stimulate discussion on important process safety topics at operational sites and to improve competency & awareness. Latest topic: Pressure Safety Valve Installation. Subscribe to our Learning Sheet Mailing List here.