Background

American Institute of Chemical Engineers Delaware Valley Section	Background

November 11, 2003
Inherently Safer Design
Dennis C. Hendershot

It's in the news all over the place - the Philadelphia Inquirer and other newspapers, PBS, NPR, CNN, Fox News, Channel 17 News. In his "Chemical Security Act of 2003" (S167), Senator Corzine (D, NJ) wants to require that all chemical plants consider it. And, if you build a plant in Contra Costa County, California, there is already a local ordinance that requires an evaluation of inherently safer technology. But, what does it really mean? Is inherent safety really the magic bullet for eliminating chemical risks that some advocates seem to think? The presentation will focus on understanding what inherently safer design really means, clarifying some misconceptions about its meaning, and talking about what is going on in the regulatory and legislative arenas especially in regards to chemical processes.

"Green Chemistry" has become a major focus for development of new chemical products and manufacturing processes. While emphasis has generally been placed on environmental issues, inherent product and process plant safety are important components of the "Green Chemistry" concept. Inherent Safety is discussed in the Special Supplement of the January 2002 Chemical Engineering Progress entitled "An Evolution in Chemical Engineering: The Journey Ahead". The section "Refocusing Chemical Engineering" outlines that whether a facility is a large chemical commodity plant that must be operated efficiently to make a profit, or a batch scale specialty chemical (pharmaceuticals, electronic materials, biotech products) plant that must be first to the marketplace for profitability; "Inherently Safer Design" improves cost effectiveness and can be considered in on-going plant process improvements. The five (5) approaches for inherently safer plants include:

1) Intensification: using smaller quantities of hazardous materials;
2) Substitution: replacing a material with a less hazardous substance;
3) Attenuation: using less hazardous process conditions or a less hazardous form of a material;
4) Limitations of Effects: developing a process that will minimize the release of hazardous materials; and
5) Simplification: developing a process and equipment that will make operating errors less likely and that will be forgiving of errors that are made.

Pay Local Dues (click for information)
Please remember to sign up and pay dues to the Delaware Valley Section so you can take advantage of the many opportunities the DVS has to offer.

[Top of Page] [Home] [AIChE National]