This master’s thesis examines the safety of hazardous chemical storage in phenolic resin
production and assesses the impact of accidental releases of methanal, phenol, and
methanol on the facility and its surroundings. The theoretical part outlines the legislative
framework and the fundamentals of risk analysis, with emphasis on quantitative risk
assessment and the HAZOP method. Consequence modelling using ALOHA and Phast
software is also described.
The empirical part focuses on solution, that contains 55 % formaldehyde, phenol, and
methanol. Based on safety data sheets, their hazardous properties were analysed, a
HAZOP study was conducted, and risks were evaluated using a risk matrix. Scenarios
with low probability but severe consequences were modelled for summer and winter
conditions in ALOHA and Phast.
The results show that formaldehyde release represents the highest risk, with potential
impacts extending several kilometres beyond the facility. Due to its low vapour pressure,
phenol mainly poses a local hazard, whereas for methanol, toxicity presents a greater risk
to the surrounding area than thermal radiation from potential ignition.
The study concludes that the storage of the analysed substances poses a risk of a major
industrial accident. Technical and organizational measures were proposed to reduce both
the likelihood and consequences of such events. ALOHA proved suitable for preliminary
assessments, while Past is more appropriate for detailed analyses.
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