Preliminary Safety Assessment of Biomass Catalytic Gasification System (Pilot Plant Scale)

Biomass gasification is considered as one of the most promising green energy
sources provider. The greatest concern is the safety of biomass gasification
operation. Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) method with the aid of Phast Risk
software is used to perform preliminary safety assessment of biomass gasification
system (pilot plant scale) located in Block P. The assessment consists of four major
parts which are hazard identification, incident frequency estimation, consequence
analysis and risk evaluation. Biomass Gasifier Section and Gas Purification system
are identified as highly hazardous area with the event frequency ranging from 10-5 to
10-10 per year. Flammable release, toxic release and jet fire are the events being
simulate in consequence analysis. Impact of the three events to the exposed
personnel is minimal where minor injury may happen and fatality is unlikely to
occur. Risk associated with the system is evaluated to be in ALARP region. Within
ALARP region, risk should be reduced if practical, in general subject to cost benefit
analysis. Further research is required in order to provide a more comprehensive risk
assessment of biomass gasification system.