Hazardous area classification for wheat flour processing plant

Dust explosion possibly occurs in common unit operations such as mills, grinders, dryers, and other modes of transport. The basic element for the setting of hazardous zone types consist of identifies release sources, determination of classification region of hazardous area, overviewing the basic operation in wheat flour processing plant with their specification requirement and use of a suitable code or calculations to determine area scope. Therefore, this analysis can be more elaborate by classifying the hazardous area into several areas using the International Electro Technical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres standard. Thus, wheat flour processing plant area classification can be categorized according to three zones based on the quantity of an explosion into atmosphere and its release frequencies which are zones 20, zones 21, and zones 22. From the results, it can be summarized that zone 20 is almost inside or closer one with the main equipment located near the ignition source which could lead to dust explosion, whereas zone 21 and zone 22 comes after zone 20 which is a less hazardous area as compared to zone 20 areas.

Search and testing of robotic solutions for cleaning and condition monitoring at Prirazlomnaya OIRFP

Background. This article provides an overview and testing of existing robotic solutions, an understanding of the level of technological accessibility for the research area. A robotic solution is a device, mechanism or method for carrying out work with a high level of autonomy and with minimal human involvement in work in a hazardous area. In this case, we are talking about remote-controlled solutions, as well as completely self-managed solutions. Aim. The purpose of the study is to analyze the design and regulatory documentation that regulates the study area of work, to identify the main technical and legislative barriers and restrictions on the use of robotic solutions, as well as to conduct tests in Kingston boxes of the Prirazlomnaya OIRFP. Materials and methods. In this study, using rational-logical methods of scientific knowledge and the empirical method, namely interviewing experts in the field of robotization and maritime law, it was possible to determine and structure the information received. Results. The implementation of this goal made it necessary to analyze the market for various robotic means of local cleaning and inspection, to form a list of the most promising solutions, to rank solutions based on the evaluation matrix, to conduct technical and competitive negotiations with manufacturers on the topic of readiness to participate in pilot testing at the Prirazlomnaya OIRFP. Conclusions. In the course of this project, an extensive analysis of the market of robotic solutions was carried out, pilot tests were carried out, an act was received from RMRS and proved in practice during pilot testing in Kingston boxes with water intake pipelines and in the water area of the Kola Bay, a hypothesis about the applicability and feasibility, the usefulness of using remotely controlled underwater of uninhabited vehicles in the scope of the survey at the Prirazlomnaya OIRFP.

Rigless Remote Intervention: A Case Study of Combo Unit Utilization in Mahakam Offshore East Kalimantan

Mahakam block has been producing for over 40 years and now is in declining phase. Daily drilling and well intervention operations are still actively carried out to sustain and prolong the natural decline curve. Efficiency measures are taken out in each and every aspect of operations to support the diminishing values. One of them is the reduction of offshore platform sizing. Future minimalist platforms have limited top deck space which will further be reduced by the prevalence of: 1. Fixed platform equipment (generators, crane, etc.), and 2. Hazardous area requirement for Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2. The future minimalist platform has a deck space area of approximately 221 m2, not yet taken into account said the reduction factors. The presence of the hazardous area and fixed equipment can reduce the free deck space availability down to 20% from the total deck space. These platforms are not originally designed with well intervention work in mind. However, the past 40 years proves that well intervention should never be left out when extending well’s lifetime is the objective. Well intervention unit, depending on the intervention type, requires top deck space from 26 m2 up to 92 m2 of free space, and an additional 3-4 m2 for lifting, means such as mast unit if the platform does not have a crane. Moreover, in a remote intervention mode, where no supporting barge is present, space requirement above the top deck became crucial as there is no alternative to back load unit to the barge incase the top deck beingover crowded. To support the continuity of remote intervention being more efficient alternative to barge-supported operation, the well intervention team initiates the feasibility study using combo unit as a replacement for conventional slickline and electric line unit. There are three types of combo unit presented in this paper, 1. Split Combo Unit, 2. Combined Drum Combo Unit, and 3. Digital Slickline Combo Unit. These types of unit can reduce the deck space requirement by 30%, reducing number of personnel needed from eight (8) to five (5) personnel in a single shift, improving operation timing efficiency, and improves the contract administration aspect. Despite the seemingly positive results, there are still issues to be resolved, both technical and non-technical, for combo unit to be an all-rounder solution for wireline work. This paper shall provide an early level observation and analysis for the feasibility of combo unit as remote well intervention unit, starting from the methodology to the corresponding results and lesson learnt.

Numerical Study on Extent of Hazardous Area for Sonic Jet Release Using Equivalent Leak Diameter

In this study, three-dimensional K - E turbulence numerical simulations were conducted to analyze the extent of hazardous area for the sonic jet leakage of flammable gas. Incompressible fluid flows were simulated based on an inlet boundary condition estimated using the theory of “equivalent leak diameter” to prevent the direct simulation of sonic flows near the leakage hole. Numerical simulations of 20 methane leakage scenarios providing the lower explosive limit contour showed shapes of the hazardous area with a maximum height of approximately 12-14 times larger than the maximum width, owing to convection. The extents of hazardous area determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were approximately 5%-10% lower than the results obtained with 1 m over based on IEC 60079-10-1. For scenarios in which quantitative data were not calculated using IEC 60079-10-1 due to low release rates, CFD provided quantitative data for the extent of hazardous area, showing nonlinear relationships with the pressure and diameter of leak holes.

Recovery Method for Emergency Situations with Hazardous Substances Emission into the Atmosphere

The objective of this Article is development of a hazardous area extent reducing method in the atmosphere upon emergency situation occurrence with hazardous chemical and radioactive substances emission. To achieve the specified objective it is recommended to use deposition of gaseous, liquid and solid disperse hazardous particles from the atmosphere using artificial precipitation over a zone of emergency. For artificial intensification of precipitation, use of chemical and physical principles of impact on droplets formation processes in the area of clouds is proposed. A pyrotechnic composition was developed for chemical impact, which when combustion generates finely dispersed chemical centers of condensation and modifying components for hazardous chemical substances neutralization. Conducting the ionization of precipitation formation area by a strong impulse electromagnetic irradiation was proposed as a physical impact on the artificial precipitation formation processes. The laboratory study results confirmed the technical feasibility of this method implementation. To reduce the necessary radiator power, application of a multi-position radiators system with radiation focusing to one irradiation zone was proposed. The theoretical and experimental results obtained in the article are the base for development of emergency situation negative consequences reduction practical procedures through artificial precipitation initiation.

Virtual Fence System Based on IoT Paradigm to Prevent Occupational Accidents in the Construction Sector

Many occupational accidents in construction sites are caused by the intrusion of a worker into a hazardous area. Technological solutions based on RFID, BIM, or UWB can reduce accidents, but they still have some limitations.The aim of the current paper is to design and evaluate a new system of “virtual fences” based on Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) to avoid intrusions. First of all, the system was designed using a number of beacons, a Bayesian filter, a finite state machine, and an indicator. Secondly, its safety attributes were evaluated based on a scientific questionnaire by an expert panel following the staticized groups’ methodology. Results showed that the proposal is inexpensive and easy to integrate and configure. The selected experts evaluated positively all the attributes of the system, and provided valuable insights for further improvements. From the experts’ discussions, we concluded that successful adoption of this “virtual fence” system based on BLE beacons should consider the influence of factors such as cost savings, top management support, social acceptance, and compatibility and integration with existing systems, procedures, and company culture. In addition, legislation updates according to technical advances would help with successful adoption of any new safety system.

SoC for real - time object tracking in 3D space

With the rapid growth of workplaces, there is also an increase of the risk employees are exposed to. A high percentage of the injuries suffered annually are work related and many of those are due to the decrease in alertness of employees as they get tired. As a result, many of the injuries are fall related, touching a hot object etc. Therefore, safety in the workplace can be increased if employees can be monitored continuously and warning them when they come close to a restricted (hazardous) area. The current paper presents an in-depth analysis of existing approaches to 3D object tracking which can be deployed to monitor workers and try to prevent injury. The final goal is to design, implement and test an SoC capable of performing real time object tracking in 3D which can send the coordinates to a standalone computer to be displayed and processed.