Biogas Safety first!

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General requirementsExample of a ripped gas storagephotos: VGH VersicherungenThere are various potential sources of ignition inbiogas plants (see Table 3).Table 3: Potential sources of ignition in biogas plants (TRBS 2153, 2009)Source of ignitionHot surfacesNaked flamesExamples>500 °C (turbochargers)Fire, flames, embers4.9. Sources of danger from the surroundingenvironmentIn addition to the specific hazards outlined above,weather-related or other environmental sources ofdanger may also arise, for example from flooding,earthquakes, storms, ice and/or snow, power outage,heavy rainfall or frost. Site-related sources of dangersuch as the effect of neighbouring businesses or thetraffic situation must also be taken into account.Mechanically generated sparksElectrically generated sparksExothermic reactionLightning strikeElectrostatic dischargeFriction, beating, grindingSwitching operations, loose connection,equalising currentsSpontaneous combustion of dustsmissing lightning protectionCaused by missing potential equalizationEnvironmental sources of danger such as these mayresult in interactions with other specific hazards.4.10. Hazards arising from inappropriatebehaviourPotential hazards arising from inappropriate behaviourmust also be taken into account in the operationof a biogas plant. These include, for example:action by unauthorised personsdangers from personnel (operating errors, on-callservice not working, deliberate failure to carryout fault rectification measures, sabotage, etc.)16
General requirements5. Hazard assessmentIn order to prevent accidents, hazards in biogasplants must be systematically identified, assessedand minimised. This is the purpose of a risk analysis.A tool to conduct this analysis is the risk matrix (seeTable 4), which shows the likelihood of an undesirableevent occurring (the risk) in relation to the consequencesof that event, in the form of a table. Thecategories for the likelihood of an event occurring ortaking effect are: rare, unlikely, possible, likely andalmost certain.The categories are ‘reasonably estimated’ or statisticallyverified in the course of the risk assessment.The categories for the severity of the consequencesare as follows:minor injuries or illnesses, e.g. bruisingmoderately severe injuries or illnesses, e.g.simple bone fracturessevere injuries or illnesses, e.g. paraplegiapossible death, disaster, e.g. severe injuries tonumerous peopleAppropriate protective measures must be definedand implemented on the basis of this assessment.The findings obtained must be taken into account inthe design and selection of equipment and materialsand in the design of workplaces, working andproduction processes and operating sequences, andthe way in which these interact with each other.This can also be laid down in national regulations.As a rule, the operator is responsible for producingthe hazard assessment, or a person appointed bythe operator for this purpose. The hazard assessmentmust be updated prior to initial start-up of theplant, following resumption of operation and afterany changes are made that are relevant to safety.In order to assist operators in fulfilling their duties inthis regard, in Germany it has proven worthwhile fora qualified expert to check both the hazard assessmentand the effectiveness of the protective measures(see Figure 4). A hazard assessment must alsobe carried out before maintenance and repair workis performed and before faults and malfunctions arerectified.The findings of the hazard assessment and therecurring updates must be documented, alongwith a record of implementation of the protectivemeasures.Table 4: Risk analysisExpected to occurregularly under normalcircumstancesExpected to occur atsome pointAlmostCertainMinor injuries ordiscomfort. Nomedical treatmentor measurablephysical effectsInjuries or illnessrequiring medicaltreatment. Temporaryimpairment.Potential ConsequencesInjuries orillness requiringhospitaladmission.Injury or illnessresultingin permanentimpairment.FatalityNot Significant Minor Moderate Major SevereMedium High Very High Very High Very HighLikely Medium High High Very High Very HighLikelihoodMay occur at somepointNot likely to occur innormal circumstancesPossible Low Medium High High Very HighUnlikely Low Low Medium Medium HighCould happen, butprobably never willRare Low Low Low Low Medium17
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Publisher Fachverband Biogas e. V.D
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