Fault tree in chemical process analysis

The aim of this work was the application of process simulation for fault tree development in chemical process analysis. A fault tree, where the top event was process failure, was constructed for an alkylation plant by systematically assessing the effects of individual unit failure on the plant’s operability. The results obtained suggest that equipment where chemical reaction takes place and equipment connected in recycle loops must be considered individually, and that system decomposition tools must be used. Where internal loops without chemical reaction were present in the system, a 'failure mode and effect analysis' was carried out and the results used as an approximation in the construction of the fault tree.