We are aware of the hazards of our current chemical processes. We have taken appropriate measures in our factories with regard to the associated risks. But have you ever considered that these hazards could change as a result of the energy and raw materials transition with which the Netherlands wants to become climate neutral? Or that existing measures will no longer be sufficient due to future changes in the way we operate our plants? In expert opinion 3 we will discuss the new emerging hazards that the energy and raw materials transition will entail. This mainly concerns new hazards of the new processes, such as large-scale hydrogen use, plasma chemistry and electricity.

The third Expert opinion will be published April, 2022.

The chemical industry is investing heavily in robust HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) management systems, as well as in initiatives that will bring about a continuous increase in process safety. In the years to come, HSE management will be faced with major challenges due to increasing complexity resulting from digitalization and the emergence of new technologies. This changing situation means that our HSE management systems and methodologies may no longer be suitable as a means of identifying and assessing risks on forehand. We need to realize that the methods we use nowadays have evolved with the companies we are, with the technologies we use. In this expert opinion we will focus on the Process Safety Analysis (PSA) methodology from this perspective. The focus of the PSA is on chemical hazards & interactions and process conditions.

What is a Process Safety Analysis (PSA)? Are you aware that the way you do a PSA may not match with the technologies you need for the transition? At what moment in a development should you do a PSA? Click on the tab above to read the expert opinion.

The fundamentals for the PSA have been drawn up by one of the founders of process safety – Trevor Kletz – in the 80’s of the past century. A PSA is a structured method meant to identify one of the aspects of inherent safe design i.e. the inherent chemical process hazards. With the PSA the possibility of eliminating these hazards and controlling possible effects of remaining hazards can be evaluated aiming to prevent, reduce, and protect to reach a safe environment. Eliminating inherent chemical hazards leads to an inherent safe design. In other words: Safe-by-Design. The result of a PSA is a fundamental document in managing your process safety. It is the documented chemical hazard knowledge to be used in design, operations and Management of Change. For a lot of companies the details of the PSA used, evolved in a way that was dictated by the nature of the type of production processes, used raw materials and final products.

Brightsite is aware that for the transition of the chemical industry to climate neutrality new processes with other raw materials, energy sources and operation modes need to be developed. This means that the PSA methods we normally use may not be fit for purpose anymore. So we decided to go back to the basic principles of the PSA and check their applicability to anticipated future requirements. Next we apply these (possibly adjusted) basic principles on future new developments.

We start with PSA in the earliest stages of our developments. And we will update the PSA in the course of the development. In our PSA we make a hazard inventory based on chemical hazards, chemical interactions and the intended chemical process. Via the key words: minimize, substitute, attenuate and simplify we challenge how we can eliminate or minimize hazards. Our perfect team to do this is a multidisciplinary group and an independent chair.

Do you use a PSA methodology to identify the hazards of the processes you need for the transition? Brightsite is curious to hear your experiences. Please get in touch with Esta de Goede, manager of this program line. We are looking forward to meeting you!

Brightsite wants to demonstrate that the Dutch climate agreement goals for 2030 and 2050 can be reached by applying existing and developing new technologies at industrial scale. Technologies that will enable chemical industry to become circular and climate neutral.

Are the innovative new technologies and scenarios for the transition of the chemical industry to circular and climate neutral viable? Are they safe and accepted by society? Do we know the hazards and risks associated with new developments? Click on the tab above to read the expert opinion.

Brightsite believes that the technologies and scenarios for the transition of chemical industry to circular and climate neutral are only viable when they are safe and accepted by society. So we need to know the hazards and risks associated with new developments. We need to avoid and prevent those risks and hazards to happen. We need to understand and take into account the opinion of society towards our developments. Brightsite wants to make the right decisions, fact and science based.

Beside developing (new) technologies and transitions scenarios Brightsite also develops an approach how to address scenarios, safety & societal aspects appropriate from early stages of development of a technology on. Our horizon is beyond 2030 towards 2050. We realize we have to design the future and develop it accordingly. We start with today’s standards and values on safety & society and we anticipate and include future trends and developments.

We hope you want to join us on our journey to a safe and societally accepted climate neutral chemical industry and we will keep you regularly informed about our progress and considerations.

Do you have questions regarding to this subject, do you want to contribute to this program, or do you want to make use of our services? Please get in touch with Esta de Goede, manager of this program line. We are looking forward to meeting you!