Developing friendlier biodiesel production process via systematic inherent safety interventions

Abstract

The efficacy of inherent safety interventions for shaping Friendlier Chemical Processes (FCP) has been demonstrated in simultaneously augmenting safety (S), health (H), and environmental (E) performance while operating economically. However, there is limited attention to linking inherent safety concept with HE and cost issues when modifying process design, and a hierarchical metric used for measuring the inherent friendliness is yet to be presented. To this end, this study developed a Reconciled Friendly Process Metric (RFPM) for generating FCP via Systematic Inherent Safety (SIS) modifications. Firstly, the prestigious inherent SHE and cost metrics were selected and adapted to measure friendliness features. Then, the metrics were reconciled by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE), and finally, the RFPM was validated through biodiesel production process. The results show that the base design is estimated as under Moderate (M) condition, while the modified design is estimated as under Relatively Friendly (RF) condition, which implies that the modified design is inherently friendlier than the base design. This newly developed RFPM can be used as a tool for hierarchically indicating the friendliness of processing scenarios and making trade-offs among safety, health, environmental, and cost concerns during design stage.