Abstracts of Speaker Presentations at P2SAC 2019 Fall Conference
December 5, 2019
Author: Denise Albrecht, 3M
Title: Right sizing combustible particulate management while meeting NFPA 652 requirements
Abstract: Working in the manufacturing industry at a Fortune 500 company with multiple commodity classes and size of manufacturing locations presented an interesting challenge when trying to control combustible particulate solid hazards and implement requirements from NFPA 652. Each location dealt with different combustible solid particulates, different processing methods and unique equipment. To handle this challenge, it was important to develop a combustible solids particulate management program that would meet the needs of every facility. This presentation will walk through the global Combustible Solid Particulates management program that 3M has developed and is in the process of implementing. The program involves a three-step process which includes creating an inventory of combustible solid particulates, analyzing the hazards of each process utilizing combustible solid particulates, and managing the hazards identified.
Author: Kingsly Ambrose, ABE, Purdue University
Title: Sensing dust concentration using smartphone
Abstract: Dust dispersion during processing is of great concern for both workers' health and explosion risk. Dust emission locations in industries can vary during processing, while dust concentration sensing would require the installation of an additional equipment. Using a smartphone camera to measure the dust concentration based on two target intensity value was developed in this study. Relationship between the dust concentration and extinction coefficient was calibrated using cornstarch, grain dust, and sawdust.
Author: Raj Gounder, ChE, Purdue University
Title: PTD in catalysis and reaction engineering
Abstract: We will describe basic research in the fields of catalysis and reaction engineering that are inspired by the concept of prevention through design, which describes strategies to mitigate hazards by designing them out of the process. The applications studied are relevant to the petrochemical, refining and oil/gas industries for chemical and fuel production, and for the synthesis and manufacture of zeolite catalysts. Specific examples of the applications studied include selective hydrocarbon oxidations using aqueous hydrogen peroxide, and solid acid-catalyzed alternatives for hydrocarbon alkylation and chain growth chemistries to produce transportation fuels.
Author: Edward Marszal, Kenexis
Title: Lithium ion battery thermal runaway
Abstract: On April 19, 2019, first responders were dispatched to an Arizona Power Systems power storage facility in Surprise, AZ, outside of Phoenix. The facility employed lithium ion batteries to store 2 MW/h of power collected by solar panels for discharge into the grid. The first responders attempted to enter the facility to fight the fire but were subjected to an explosion that sent four of them to the hospital. This incident highlights that storage of energy as chemical potential is dangerous and needs to be carefully safeguarded, regardless of the medium. This presentation will go over the details of this particular incident, and Lithium Ion battery thermal runaway in general, explaining the sequence of events and the overall mechanisms of failure. The presentation will conclude with recommendations for appropriate hazards analysis and safeguarding of these types of facilities.
Author: Jacob Morella, aeSolutions
Title: CyberPHA: A proven method to assess industrial control system cybersecurity risk
Abstract: Process hazard assessments (PHA) are a well-established practice in process safety management. These assessments focus on failures (aka deviations) that are typically caused by equipment failures or human error. By design, PHAs do not consider cyber threats to industrial control systems (ICS). However, cyber threats represent additional failure modes that may lead to the same health, safety and environmental consequences identified in the PHA. Functional safety (i.e. ISA 84 / IEC 61511) and industrial cybersecurity standards (i.e. ISA/IEC 62443) recognize this issue and provide guidance on how to integrate these two disciplines to ensure that cyber incidents cannot impact process safety. This presentation will discuss the guidance provided in industry standards regarding ICS cyber risk assessments (aka Cyber PHA) and the benefits and business justification for performing them.
Author: Laurence Pearlman/ Greg Rodway/Gabe Onofre, Marsh Risk Consulting
Title: How is your process safety culture? Better practices and approaches to self-assessment
Abstract: Safety culture is complex. Process safety culture is arguably even more complex. We believe that “culture happens by design or default” and that “leaders set the tone for culture.” This session explores essential components for a strong process safety culture. We will present a cultural framework and a way to engage your leadership team to measure and improve your organization’s safety culture.
Author: Brett Savoie, ChE, Purdue University
Title: High-throughput quantum calculations of thermodynamic properties
Abstract: Group increment models play a critical role in thermodynamic assessments relevant to process control and safety. However, a critical limitation of these models is their traditional reliance on experimental calorimetry data for parameterization and validation. This dependence limits the applicability of group increment models for new chemistries and reactive intermediates for which calorimetry data is unavailable. In this talk I will report on our project to develop a group increment model based solely on quantum chemistry that provides full generality to all of chemical space. Recent results will be presented to show that our new method outperforms the experimentally-based industry standard with respect to accuracy, consistency, and generality.
Author: Jeffrey Sperry, Vertex
Title: Process safety at Vertex Pharmaceuticals (<5L scale)
Abstract: This talk will focus on how Vertex Pharmaceuticals is incorporating new Process Safety workflows in the early manufacturing space. The new workflows have been built to be flexible, but also capable of identifying potential hazards early in order to address concerns before manufacturing commences. Much of the screening will begin at the laboratory scale, well before the manufacturing process has been identified.
Author: Professor Denny Yu, IE, Purdue University
Title: Human factors in the workplace-sensing human performance
Abstract: Decision-making under high-stress environments can require rapid synthesis of information from multiple sources, and failure can lead to errors. Expert, high-performing workers can quickly grasp complex situations and perform the skills required. Dr. Yu’s research focuses on quantifying expert cognitive and behaviors and use this model to develop real-time support technology.