25/4/2017

Hazard Analysis
Exercises

Process Description
The oil vapouriser shown in Figure 1 consists of a
furnace containing a heating coil and burners, which
are fired by natural gas. The oil enters the heating coil
as a liquid and leaves the coil as a superheated
vapour upon heating through the furnace. The natural
gas entering the burners combines with external air
and burns in a hot flame. The combustion gases leave
through the stack.

The oil flow is controlled by a set of flow control

devices which includes: a flow control valve, FCV, a
flow element, FE (that measures the oil flow), a flow
controller, FC, and a low flow alarm, FAL (which alarms
if the oil flow reduces below a set point).

Health, Safety & Environmtn CGE653

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The natural gas flow passes through a self-

actuating pressure-reducing valve, PRV, to
the main burner control valve, TCV, and a
pilot valve, PV. The main burner control
valve is actuated by the temperature
controller, TC (which receives the signal
from the temperature element, TE (which
measures the oil vapour discharge
temperature).
The high/high pressure switch, PSHH on the
natural gas line is interlocked, via I-4 to
close the main burner control valve, TCV, if
the gas pressure is too high. There is also a
high temperature switch, TSH, on the
vapourised oil outlet to close the main
burner control valve, TCV, if the oil is
superheated above a maximum
temperature.

Health, Safety & Environmtn CGE653

Exercise: FTA and HAZOP

1. Construct a fault tree diagram for the top event of no

vapour produced from the vapouriser.

2. Identify five (5) deviations from a design intent described

above and perform HAZOP. For each of the deviations,
propose the possible causes, consequences and actions
required (if any).

Health, Safety & Environmtn CGE653

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Exercise: ETA
Company A produce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from a mixture
of hydrocarbon gases. LPG is highly used as a fuel in heating
appliances and vehicles. LPG tanks are installed with pressure
controllers and high pressure alarms. The relief valves on top of the
tanks are designed to vent of excess gas in order to prevent the tanks
from rupturing. The high pressure alarms will alert the operators to take
necessary action to bring the plant back to normal conditions or to
shut down the plant. One of the possible incident scenario is that
accidental spilt of hydrocarbons may ignite and the resulting fire may
heat the LPG tank thus increasing its temperature and pressure.

Construct and event tree analysis and identify four possible outcomes
that may arise from the accidental spillage of hydrocarbons.

Health, Safety & Environmtn CGE653