KNOWLEDGE-BASED APPROACH FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF HAZARDS DUE TO STATIC ELECTRICITY

摘要

To improve the identification of hazards due to static electricity in process plants the use of a knowledge-based system is suggested. The identification and the assessment of electrostatic hazards is carried out by using a systematic safety assessment methodology. Thus a thorough analysis of plants is comprehensively assisted. This facilitates process engineers with special knowledge about the examined process or experts in the field of static electricity to apply the system. A systematic approach is necessary due to the large amount of knowledge in this field. The CENELEC-Report R044-001 (February 1999) ,,Guidance and recommendations for the avoidance of hazards due to static electricity" serves as a basis for the knowledge-based decision system. To validate the decisions of the system the results of the generated safety report are compared with expert opinions. Case histories about explosion accidents caused by static electricity are used to carry out the validation of the system. The assessment of hazards due to static electricity will be done by linking information about the apparatus and the materials. Special processing situations are also recognised. Starting from that suitable safety measures can be selected. In demanding cases the need for further expert advice is indicated to avoid misjudgements. But the strong point of the system is that every part of the equipment will be checked in view of electrostatic hazards and the results are listed thus generating a safety report.