Application of HSE management method in implementation of APC for petrochemical plant

Refining units are easy to be flammable and explosive. There will be great security risk in applying advanced process control (APC) system online in refining units. The method of HSE management, which emphasizes hazard analysis and risk control, will greatly decrease the possibility of the risk of the APC project. Experiences in previous APC projects and HSE management method are summarized in this paper; system risk analysis method and node risk analysis method are also used. Particular risk analyses are carried out for each step of the implementation of the project. The behaviors of both the APC system control and the operation of the staff are standardized. Corresponding emergency plan for potential hazard incident is established and personnel trains are reinforced, which is very effective in accident prevention and emergency response. This method has made great profit in Lanzhou Petrochemical APC project of 400 thousands of tons per year aromatics extraction and as a result APC system is successfully startup safely only once.