ATEX manager Development of a web-based tool to support companies in controlling explosion risks

1. ATEX manager Development of a web-based tool to support companies in controlling explosion risks Henri Heussen & Dook Noy

3. Introduction • VAST programme (Ministry of Social Affairs) • Goal: reinforcement of working conditions in SME’s with regard to hazardous substances • Key elements: • creating awareness • improvement of communication in the chain • development of supporting tools • Stoffenmanager: generic web-based tool for risk prioritization (www.stoffenmanager.nl) • 2th stage: development of branche specific versions of Stoffenmanager and additional modules => ATEX manager • Developed by Arbo Unie, BECO group and TNO

5. ATEX manager • Starting point: guidelines for controlling explosion risks in the animal fodder industry • Conversion to web-based specific tool for animal fodder industry • Development of generic tool for SME’s • Modules: • Quick Scan explosion hazards (applicability ATEX guidelines) • Data entry materials, process equipment, production locations • Classification of hazardous areas into zones (combustible dusts/flammable gases/vapours/mists) • Evaluation of ignition risks • Generation of Explosion Protection Documents

7. Start quick scan Combustible dust present? Interior process equipment? no yes yes no Process equipment located outdoors? > 50 kg dust (particle size < 0,1 mm)? > 0,1 kg dust (particle size < 0,1 mm? no yes yes yes no no > 50 kg dust (particle size between 0,1-0,5 mm)? > 1 kg dust (particle size between 0,1-0,5 mm? yes yes no no Zoning necessary Zoning not necessary Quick Scan combustible dusts

9. Data entry materials • Large set of parameters • Combustible dusts: • Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) • Minimum Ignition Temperature cloud (IT) • Minimum Ignition Temperature layer (GT) • Mimimum Ignition Energy (MIE) • Maximum Rate of Explosion Pressure Rise (dp/dt)max • Kst ( = (dp/dt)max ,volume dependent) • Dust Explosion Class (based on Kst) • Flammability (BZ) • Particle size • Limiting Oxygen Concentration (LOC) • Optional future development: explosion hazard banding based on parameters like: • Ignition temperatures and –energy, flammability • Dust Explosion Class

10. Dust cloud present > 1000 hours/year? Dust cloud present > 10 hours/year? no no yes yes Well designed local ventilation? Well designed local ventilation? Well designed local ventilation? no yes yes no no yes Additional guaranties? Additional guaranties? no yes yes no yes Absoluty guaranteed? no Zone 21 NHA Zone 20 Zone 22 Zoning (dust cloud)

12. Zone Chose potential ignition source Describe scenario Choose frequency scenario Choose severity of effects scenario yes Risk level acceptable? no Describe and evaluate potential measures no Export to Action Plan? yes Document decision Action Plan Evaluation of ignition risks

13. Risk bands A: high risk B: substantial risk C: limited risk D: low risk

14. Control banding? Hazard bands Ignition sources Ignition/combustion characteristics Explosion characteristics Explosion triangle Control bands Flammable substances O2 • Prevention: • ignition sources => technical measures • => organ. measures • inerting => limiting oxygen • - combustible/flammable materials=> product elimination • => product modification • Protective/corrective: • - explosion relief • explosion suppression • explosion resistant design Higher hazard ignition band Higher hazard explosion band

15. THANK YOU!