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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:57
Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector
Published on: July 25, 2014
Accident sequence analysis for sites producing and storing explosives.
Ioannis A Papazoglou1, Olga Aneziris, Myrto Konstandinidou
1Systems Reliability and Industrial Safety Laboratory (SRISL), Institute of Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, Greece. yannisp@ipta.demokritos.gr
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|October 13, 2009
Summary
This study introduces a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) method to evaluate safety for explosive substance facilities. The approach systematically identifies explosion causes and ranks safety measures, enhancing overall industrial safety.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Industrial Safety
- Risk Management
Background:
- Facilities handling explosive substances require robust safety assessments.
- Existing methods may not comprehensively cover all initiating events and safety measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present a quantitative risk assessment (QRA)-based approach for evaluating the safety of installations handling explosive substances.
- To systematically identify and categorize explosion causes and corresponding safety measures.
Main Methods:
- Development of comprehensive generic lists of immediate causes and initiating events for detonations and deflagrations.
- Grouping initiating events and safety measures into categories like shock wave, mechanical, thermal, electrical, chemical, and electromagnetic energy.
- Utilizing Event Trees to develop generic accident sequences.
- Adapting the analysis to plant-specific conditions and ranking protective measures by their effectiveness in reducing explosion frequency, including uncertainty analysis.
Main Results:
- A structured QRA methodology for explosive substance facilities was developed.
- Initiating events were categorized, and safety measures were systematically identified and ranked.
- The approach was successfully applied to 14 plants in Greece, yielding satisfactory safety evaluations.
Conclusions:
- The QRA-based approach provides a thorough and effective method for assessing and enhancing the safety of facilities handling explosive materials.
- The systematic identification and ranking of safety measures offer a valuable tool for risk reduction and informed decision-making in industrial safety.
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