3d printed chemical reactor achieved

Further to my last post, "Scientists in the UK have used reactors made on a 3D printer to complete a three stage organic synthesis. The reagents, catalyst and purification step for the synthesis are completely integrated into the chambers of the sealed reactor. When the reactor is rotated, gravity pulls reactants through the different chambers to complete the synthesis".

Read the article in this link.
The next step in process safety may well be micro reactors and micro plants.......stay tuned!! 

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3d printing and process safety

The news has been full of reports of how a company put their plan for 3D printing of a plastic gun on the net and how one person was even able to fire a bullet from it. It appears right now that the printer prints using plastic material. The advantages claimed are accuracy, less wastage. An article by Bloomberg  "Your future will be made by 3D printers" is interesting to read.

In the future, maybe 3D printing will improve process safety by eliminating manufacturing defects!!


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Drones for flare tip inspection

While we read about drones being used for military purposes, here is another use for them -a refinery has used a drone fitted with a camera for inspection of the flare tip while refinery was in operation. Now this is what I call as innovative usage of technology! Read the article in this link. 

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A confined space fatality

Three years ago, a experienced person (17 years experience) lost his life when he entered a space inside a ship that was inerted with nitrogen. This, through he was trained and experienced.
 Read the accident report in this link.

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Another hot work tank explosion

A refinery in China experienced a hot work accident that killed two workers. Apparently the tank in which the accident took place was decommissioned. Ensure you take all precautions when doing hot work on tanks.
Read the news articles in these links:
Tank explosion 1
Tank explosion 2

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Vessel blast kills one

In a fertilizer manufacturing facility very close to the Louisana unit, one person was killed when a vessel ruptured when it was being pressurized with nitrogen.
Read about the incident in this link.

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Photos of the fire in chemical plant

See photos of the fire in the chemical plant in Louisana in this link

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Explosion in chemical plant

An explosion in a chemical plant (manufacturing ethylene/propylene) in Louisana has killed one person and injured several. We have to wait for the CSB to investigate and report the findings.
Read about the incident in this link
Watch the video in this link.

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Rescuers die in a confined space rescue

A tragic accident where two rescuers lost their lives trying to rescue two persons who had lost consciousness inside a chimney is reported in a bio gas plant under construction in Thailand. This incident stresses the need for training would be rescuers. World over, many deaths continue to occur as rescuers enter confined space without proper protection and loose their lives. Read the incident in this link. 

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Process safety leadership survey results

A total of 55 readers undertook the survey and I thank them for their participation. The results are given below:
 

1. How much do you think are your top management really committed to process safety?

Very much                                                         39.2 %   

Sometimes                                                        25.9%   

Needs improvement

(they say something and do something else)  34.9%   

2. In times of production problems, do you think process safety gets bypassed according to the urgency?

 Yes                    22.9%   

Sometimes        60.4%   

Never                 16.7%   

3. Do your PSM audit findings receive adequate follow up from top management?

 Yes                                                46.8%   

Needs improvement                      53.2%   

4. Do your inspection departments findings get overruled by top management to maintain production?

 Yes, but with a technical basis     47.9%   

Yes, without a technical basis       25.0%   

No, never                                       27.1%   

5. Do you get contradicting signals from top management regarding process safety?

 No, never              41.7%  

Yes, sometimes    56.3%   

Yes, always           2.0%     

6. Do you feel the root cause analysis of process incidents and near misses really bring out the root causes?

Yes                       72.9%   

No                         27.1%   

                             

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Treat tanks with care

Storage Tank Safety | Treat Tanks with Care | Chemical Processing




Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

Follow safety norms or face closure, Andhra Pradesh Minister warns units | The Hindu

Follow safety norms or face closure, Andhra Pradesh Minister warns units | The Hindu

Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"