(8b) Neighboring Risk Assessment for Integrated Gasification-ASU Plant

Gasification facility operators increasingly find it cost effective to outsource the supply of industrial gases, such as oxygen and nitrogen, to companies with a proven track record for designing and operating safe and reliable Air Separation Unit (ASU) equipment. Air Products has built & operated many such ASU facilities in recent years and supplied industrial gases to customers directly by pipeline, with long term supply partnerships. Most of these ASU facilities are located within the customer boundary and are effectively integrated with customer gasification facilities. In addition to any risks that the ASU may pose to the customer’s operations or personnel, there may be significant hazards originating with the customer’s equipment or processes that pose a risk to the ASU personnel.

Neighboring hazards risk analysis is the approach developed and adopted by Air Products to assess risks from neighboring facilities on the ASU operation. The method, as applied to integrated gasification ASU plants, is described in this paper, including hazard identification, screening of risks from the neighbor for specific ASU facilities and detailed quantitative risk analysis.

Results of Case Studies are presented that illustrate the process, with the primary focus on typical gasification facility fire, explosion and toxic hazards. Corresponding risk mitigation measures for the ASU facility are selected based on the risk level. Overall safety and risk management is improved by sharing hazard information between the industrial gas supplier and the customer, as well as developing a joint emergency response program.