Integration Of Inherent Safety Assessment Into Process Simulation

This paper describes the integration of Inherent Safety Index (ISI) assessment into process simulation. A framework for integrating the ISI with process simulation performed on iCON (R) process simulator was developed. The Microsoft Excel (R) was utilized as an interface. For illustration purposes, the above described technique was implemented in the process simulation of an acetaldehyde production plant. The ISI was utilized to assess the reaction unit by applying the intensification and moderation approach. The results from this investigation show that the integration of ISI with the process simulation provides a tool to assess safety improvement via the implementation of inherent safety principles. Any changes that is made on the process simulation is immediately captured and new set of calculation is triggered automatically, thus enabling a process design and safety assessment to be carried out simultaneously