Dynamic domino effect risk assessment using Petri-nets

The domino effect accidents in process industries pose a severe threat to human life and the environment and have the potential to affect nearby facilities as well. Numerous techniques, such as the Bayesian network, have been used for modelling the domino effect. However, these techniques have inherent limitations. These include the inability to consider complex behaviour of process equipment in combined loading and the time dependency of equipment failure. In the current study, a Generalised Stochastic Petri-net model, called as DOMINO-GSPN, is developed to model domino effect accident likelihood and its propagation pattern. The proposed technique is capable of modelling time-dependent failure behaviour of the process component in combined loading. The results from the model are useful in monitoring process risk. A case study is used to demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the model. The results from the model are compared with the past study of a Bayesian network-based domino effect model. This comparative analysis highlights the unique feature of the model and its relevance as a domino effect risk assessment and management tool. (C) 2019 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.