Simplified risk assessment on fire hazard of LPG filling station

Abstract

Layer of protection analysis (LOPA) was conducted on the fire hazard of LPG filling stations. Scenarios were developed for jet fire, pool fire, and boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE). For each scenario, independent protection layers (IPLs) of the LPG station were identified and their frequencies were estimated. Risk matrix to determine the risk category was constructed, combining consequence and frequency of each scenario. Three additional IPLs were considered, such as a firewall between the tank lorry parking area and LPG facility, water deluge system for tank lorry, and excess flow shutdown valve for liquid pipeline to stop unexpected excess flow. Adding such IPLs could markedly reduce the risk to the facility.