Studying Probability of Domino Effect in Chemical Storage Tanks Using Hazard Index

Abstract

The accidents caused by the domino effect in industries are highly harmful. This study aims to analyze the occurrence probability of the domino effect with respect to possible explosion and fire scenarios in chemical tanks. Using the results obtained by previous studies, reviewing past accidents, and according to the equipment damage models, threshold values were used for extraction process equipment and inherent safety distances as a criterion to prevent domino accidents. According to primary scenarios and experimental equations, the escalation vector was determined for different tanks. According to the assumption that fire radius is equivalent to inherent safety distance, the fireball radius for tank 1 was calculated 535.7 m. According to the results, the DCP index of tank 3 can be considered the most critical unit. This research studies the probability of the domino effect and means to prevent them according to criteria and hazard index parameters.