Application of Dylam Methodology to the Reliability Analysis of a Batch Chemical Plant

Abstract

Safety analysis of chemical plants requires the application of techniques which are able to evaluate potentially dangerous transient conditions together with the reliability of mitigating or protective systems. The DYLAM methodology offers a solution to the problem and this is shown by its applications to a rather common type of batch chemical plant. For all components and equipment included in the plant, models according to the DYLAM requirements were developed. A dynamic simulator able to follow the variations along the time of all the process variables of interest was developed for normal plant operation and for the different combinations of equipment and component failures. The possibility of operator corrective actions was included in order to show how it works one of the best alternatives that the DYLAM technique provides. In order to avoid a large number of dynamic simulations, a strategy for the analysis and some time-saving criteria were applied. These are intended to eliminate most of the unnecessary sequences whose simulation does not produce significant information. Finally, probabilistic results are obtained, complemented with adequate cost data which permit the analyst to choose the most appropriate design criteria and parameters.