Natech Accidents Triggered by Heat Waves

Abstract

Natech accidents have an increasing relevance due to the growing number of such events and to their severe consequences. Climate change and global warming are intensifying the occurrence and the magnitude of climate-related natural events, further increasing the risk of cascading sequences triggered by natural disasters impacting industrial installations. The present study focuses on Natech triggered by heat waves. The features of this specific category of Natech events were investigated by past accident analysis, collecting an extended dataset of past events. The dataset analysis allowed the identification of the key factors that characterize these accident scenarios, such as the direct causes, the technological scenario that occurred, the substance categories, and the equipment items more frequently involved. The main direct cause of accidents resulted in an internal pressure increase, exceeding equipment design limits. Fire scenarios represent the most important category of technological scenarios that occurred. Besides equipment items handling liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, waste storage and processing systems also resulted frequently in accidents, due to the self-decomposition and self-ignition phenomena. The analysis of past accidents also allowed identifying some lessons learned, useful to identify specific actions aimed at preventing and/or mitigating the possible occurrence of these accident scenarios.

NaTech triggered by lightning: Novel insights from past events in the process industry

“…In addition, open-literature information was used in some cases to contrast and deepen the information available in the reports. The methodology was integrated under the principle of convergence, from previous research reporting industrial accidents triggered by diverse natural events [ 12 , 18 , 21 , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , 29 ]. After the data collection, several analyses and modelling techniques were conducted from diverse perspectives aiming to learn from records to increase vulnerability awareness against lightning strikes.…”

“…Equipment involved: the categories referred to in Renni et al [ 21 ] were slightly modified, homogenizing some items with the categories used by Ricci et al [ 25 ]: i) storage equipment (including warehouses), ii) flare stakes, iii) electric equipment and electronic devices (including instrumentation devices), iv) pipework, v) compressors and pumps (machinery), vi) process equipment.…”

“… Fatalities: This category accounts for events involving the loss of human lifes. It distinguishes between incidents reporting a single fatality and those reporting multiple fatalities [ 25 , 26 ]. Injured, evacuated, or affected persons: The injured individuals were categorized analogously to the fatalities.…”

“…Hence, the present research develops a historical analysis of NaTech events triggered by lightning strikes in the process industry with novel elements incorporated. It updates the record of such events up to the end of 2022, in comparison to past studies [ 21 ] and introduces new comprehensive classifications to improve compatibility with recent studies in the NaTech field and process industry safety [ 12 , 18 , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] ]. Furthermore, the conceptual updates incorporated into the evolution of international standards regarding lightning protection systems have been introduced as technical criteria [ 27 ].…”

Role of Local Level Stakeholders in Adapting to Emerging Natech Risks Due to Climate Change in the Selangor River Basin, Malaysia

“…Since the impacts of Natech from industrial facilities are experienced locally, a better understanding of the issue including exposure, awareness and preparedness at local level is crucial to carry out appropriate adaptation actions. While Natech risk under the impact of climate change has been commonly investigated (Pilone et al, 2021;Ricci et al, 2023;Lou et al, 2021), adaptation by various stakeholders at local level is scarce. Studies on Natech and practical local level adaptation to emerging risks are scarce for developing countries in the Asia Paci c, even though the region is expected to have the highest annual production growth in chemical industry and is prone to extreme weather events due to climate change (Chatterjee et al, 2021;IPCC 2023).…”