A methodology for assessing and monitoring risk in the industrial wastewater sector

Anna Trubetskaya,William Horan,Paul Conheady,Ken Stockil,Shane Merritt,Sean Moore

doi:10.1016/j.wri.2021.100146

Anna Trubetskaya, William Horan + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2021.100146

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Abstract

The concept of sustainable risk assessment in industrial wastewater treatment is vital to determine the causes and consequences of plant failure. The potential wastewater-related risks that could hamper the operation of the entire manufacturing facility are currently inadequately defined and under researched. This work proposes a framework that includes the comparison of literature and experimental data to quantify the impact of the significant process parameters on the critical process outputs. From the business perspective, managing and minimising risks will be possible when the number of impact parameters is low and the relationships between different parameters are clearly understood. The results show that even only the evaluation of technical risks can provide an assessment platform template for other risk types. Also, the structured and statistically analyzed data sets applied might be further used in the design and development of machine learning platforms algorithms to inform sustainable process outcomes adjusted for various geographical locations and human factors which significantly affect the industrial water sector globally.

Highlights

The definition of the term “risk” is essential for the successful management of many activities and technologies [1]
We propose a modified Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) approach, System Modeled Risk Analysis (SMRA) to determine the risk priorities of failure modes using both statistical model and risk assessment model for the wastewater treatment plant
The results presented are mostly used for the assessment of technical risk which are related to the wastewater treatment plant operation

Summary

Introduction

The definition of the term “risk” is essential for the successful management of many activities and technologies [1]. The risk definition can affect the outcome of policy debate, the allocation of resources among safety measures, and the distribution of political power in society [2]. A general framework development depends on the risk definition that can be considered as a political act expressing the definers’ values leading to adverse consequences for a particular decision [1]. No definition of the term “risk” can be advanced as the correct approach because there is no one definition that is suitable for all definers’ values [3]. The establishment of a risk assessment framework will guide enterprises on how to reduce their impact on global water resources through development of an innovative risk management culture [7]. Development of new approaches to assess and evaluate various risks could open new possibilities to manage water resources worldwide [68]

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