Implementation of a Simplified Dynamic Barrier Management System in an Agricultural Company

This study addresses the implementation of simplified dynamic barrier management system in an agricultural company, specifically in poultry plants that use ammonia as a refrigerant in their machine rooms. A simplified approach has been applied based on functional safety standards and international refrigeration standards, which are fundamental to establish the criteria for calculating the probability of failure on demand for the whole loops of the safety functions (barriers, critical safety devices) of these systems and its reliability in 'real time'

Through a PRA risk analysis, which includes HAZOP and LOPA, the most critical barriers to the prevention and mitigation of process safety events were identified. The implementation of the dynamic management of these barriers was carried out using spreadsheets, 'online' information from the administrative maintenance system of the pilot plant and a data visualization tool, to allow a quick and effective response to a vulnerability in the barriers, taking into account the criticality of the lack of their integrity in highest risk scenarios. The results obtained from the deployment of this approach in the pilot plant are discussed, highlighting an improvement in the reliability management refrigeration system protection devices and an 'increase' in the culture to maintain reliable barriers.