Guidelines for Process Safety in Batch Reaction Systems

Book excerpt: Batch reaction systems pose unique challenges to process safety managers because they do not operate in a steady state. The sequence of processing steps, and frequent start-ups and shutdowns, increase the possibility of human errors and equipment failures. And, since batch plants are often designed for shared use, frequent modification of piping and layout may occur, resulting in complex "management of change" issues. This book identifies the singular concerns of batch reaction systems—including potential sources of unsafe conditions—and provides a "how-to" guide for the practicing engineer in dealing with them by applying appropriate practices to prevent accidents.