RISK Analysis IN Biodiesel PLANTS

Agustín D´Alessandro, Stella Tonelli

Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (UNS – CONICET)

Camino La Carrindanga km 7 (8000) Bahía Blanca Argentina

stonelli@plapiqui.edu.ar

Key Words: biodiesel plants, risk analysis, safe distances

Global production of biodiesel in 2010 reached 19 million tonnes. In addition, it is estimated that these values will reach 45 million tons by 2020, with the aid of mandatory diesel/biodiesel mixing regulations for environmental protection in Europe and in countries like Brazil, Colombia, Thailand and Argentina, among others.

In particular, Argentina in 2010 became the fourth largest producer of biodiesel with a yield of 1.9 tons. Given the growth of this industry, analysis of the risks of accidents in these facilities is of great interest for new installations of large capacity plants as well as medium or small ones. In the first case, the inventory of flammable substances is very large while in the second, the location is commonly in areas very close to the population.

In this paper we present an analysis of risk of biodiesel production plants using the transesterification process. First we present a review of reported accidents at similar facilities in different countries. It is shown that the European biodiesel industry has an excellent safety record, while the biodiesel industry in the United States has experienced numerous incidents at its plants in recent years. This seems to be the result of a significant difference in operating philosophy of biodiesel plants in Europe and in the United States. While in Europe all the plants are managed by experienced professionals in chemical processes, plants in the United States often come from small entrepreneurial operations with little experience in handling hazardous substances.

The study of accident scenarios was divided into two groups: high-capacity plants and plants of medium and small capacity. In both cases we simulated the consequences of spills of hazardous substances involved. The greatest danger detected was fire, explosion or toxic dispersion of methanol and fire involving raw oil and/or the biodiesel. The consequences of the proposed scenarios for the case of methanol were simulated using the software package Effects, which implements the TNO models. In the case of oil and biodiesel specific equations were used. Safe distances around the facility are proposed from the results obtained and the frequency of occurrence of the scenarios considered.

These safe distances should be taken into account in the development of this industrial sector in Latin America, both plants already in operation or in the building. In particular, in Argentina, it must be considered that while the 26,093 Biofuels Act was enacted in 2006,it was enforced later, when there were already several plants operating. For example, the item that regulates the safety aspects in this Act, was not published until late 2008, when, due to installed capacity, Argentina was already an world power in the area.