http://hdl.handle.net/2117/3154 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:51:28 GMT 2013-06-20T09:51:28Z webmaster.bupc@upc.edu Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Servei de Biblioteques i Documentació no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/19564 Title: Occurrence of hydrophobic organic pollutants (BFRs and UV-filters) in sediments from South America Authors: Barón, E; Gago Ferrero, Pablo; Gorga, M.; Rudolph, I; Mendoza, G.; Mauricio Zapata, Andres; Diaz Cruz, Silvia; Barra, Ricardo; Ocampo-Duque, W; Páez, M; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Eljarrat, E; Barceló, Damià Abstract: In the present study the occurrence of emerging hydrophobic organic pollutants in sediment samples from South America (Chile and Colombia) was investigated for the first time. Nineteen Chilean and thirteen Colombian sediment samples were analyzed in order to determine their content of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) (including PBDEs and emerging BFRs) as well as UV filters (UV-F). Samples were collected from neighboring aquatic ecosystems highly urbanized and industrialized in Colombia (Magdalena River area) and Chile (Biobio region). Different analytical procedures were applied depending on the selected analytes, based on chromatographic and mass spectrometric methodologies (GC–MS and LC–MS–MS). In general, concentration levels of both BFRs (up to 2.43 and 143 ng g−1 dw of PBDEs in Chile and Colombia, respectively) and UV-F (nd–2.96 and nd–54.4 ng g−1 dw in Chile and Colombia, respectively) were in the low range of published data, and the contribution of BFRs was higher than that of UV-F for almost all the sampled sediments. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:44:56 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/19564 2013-06-18T10:44:56Z Barón, E; Gago Ferrero, Pablo; Gorga, M.; Rudolph, I; Mendoza, G.; Mauricio Zapata, Andres; Diaz Cruz, Silvia; Barra, Ricardo; Ocampo-Duque, W; Páez, M; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Eljarrat, E; Barceló, Damià no Sedimentology, Hydrophobicity, Organic pollutants, Sediments In the present study the occurrence of emerging hydrophobic organic pollutants in sediment samples from South America (Chile and Colombia) was investigated for the first time. Nineteen Chilean and thirteen Colombian sediment samples were analyzed in order to determine their content of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) (including PBDEs and emerging BFRs) as well as UV filters (UV-F). Samples were collected from neighboring aquatic ecosystems highly urbanized and industrialized in Colombia (Magdalena River area) and Chile (Biobio region). Different analytical procedures were applied depending on the selected analytes, based on chromatographic and mass spectrometric methodologies (GC–MS and LC–MS–MS). In general, concentration levels of both BFRs (up to 2.43 and 143 ng g−1 dw of PBDEs in Chile and Colombia, respectively) and UV-F (nd–2.96 and nd–54.4 ng g−1 dw in Chile and Colombia, respectively) were in the low range of published data, and the contribution of BFRs was higher than that of UV-F for almost all the sampled sediments. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18720 Title: Fuzzy model for risk assessment of persistent organic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems Authors: Seguí, Xavier; Pujolasus, Edgar; Betrò, S.; Agueda Costafreda, Alba; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Ocampo-Duque, W.; Rudolph, I.; Barra, R.; Páez, M.; Barón, E.; Eljarrat, E.; Barceló, D.; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria Abstract: We developed a model for evaluating the environmental risk of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to aquatic organisms. The model is based on fuzzy theory and uses information provided by international experts through a questionnaire. It has been tested in two case studies for a particular type of POPs: brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The first case study is related to the EU-funded AQUATERRA project, with sampling campaigns carried out in two Ebro tributaries in Spain (the Cinca and Vero Rivers). The second one, named the BROMACUA project, assessed different aquatic ecosystems in Chile (San Vicente Bay) and Colombia (Santa Marta Marsh). In both projects, the BFRs under study were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). However, the model can be extrapolated to other POPs and to different aquatic ecosystems to provide useful results for decision-makers. Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:14:39 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18720 2013-04-09T10:14:39Z Seguí, Xavier; Pujolasus, Edgar; Betrò, S.; Agueda Costafreda, Alba; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Ocampo-Duque, W.; Rudolph, I.; Barra, R.; Páez, M.; Barón, E.; Eljarrat, E.; Barceló, D.; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria no We developed a model for evaluating the environmental risk of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to aquatic organisms. The model is based on fuzzy theory and uses information provided by international experts through a questionnaire. It has been tested in two case studies for a particular type of POPs: brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The first case study is related to the EU-funded AQUATERRA project, with sampling campaigns carried out in two Ebro tributaries in Spain (the Cinca and Vero Rivers). The second one, named the BROMACUA project, assessed different aquatic ecosystems in Chile (San Vicente Bay) and Colombia (Santa Marta Marsh). In both projects, the BFRs under study were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). However, the model can be extrapolated to other POPs and to different aquatic ecosystems to provide useful results for decision-makers. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18344 Title: Risk Assessment of water effluents in Catalan (NE Spain) waste-water treatment plants based on E-PRTR data Authors: Ginebreda, A.; Guillén, Daniel; Martínez, E.; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Agueda Costafreda, Alba; Barceló, D.; Moragas, Lucas; Robusté, Jordi Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:23:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18344 2013-03-15T11:23:59Z Ginebreda, A.; Guillén, Daniel; Martínez, E.; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Agueda Costafreda, Alba; Barceló, D.; Moragas, Lucas; Robusté, Jordi no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17273 Title: A dispersion safety factor for LNG vapor clouds Authors: Vílchez Sánchez, Juan Antonio; Villafañe, Diana; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim Abstract: The growing importance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global energy demand has increased interest in the possible hazards associated with its storage and transportation. Concerning the event of an LNG spill, a study was performed on the relationship between the distance at which the lower flammability limit (LFL) concentration occurs and that corresponding to the visible contour of LNG vapor clouds. A parameter called the dispersion safety factor (DSF) has been defined as the ratio between these two lengths, and two expressions are proposed to estimate it. During an emergency, the DSF can be a helpful parameter to indicate the danger of cloud ignition and flash fire Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:01:31 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17273 2013-01-11T10:01:31Z Vílchez Sánchez, Juan Antonio; Villafañe, Diana; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim no The growing importance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global energy demand has increased interest in the possible hazards associated with its storage and transportation. Concerning the event of an LNG spill, a study was performed on the relationship between the distance at which the lower flammability limit (LFL) concentration occurs and that corresponding to the visible contour of LNG vapor clouds. A parameter called the dispersion safety factor (DSF) has been defined as the ratio between these two lengths, and two expressions are proposed to estimate it. During an emergency, the DSF can be a helpful parameter to indicate the danger of cloud ignition and flash fire http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17232 Title: Jet fires: a "minor" major accident? Authors: Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Gómez-Mares, Mercedes; Muñoz, Miguel Angel; Palacios, Adriana Abstract: Jet fires have received only a rather reduced attention as compared to other types of fires; this is probably due to the fact that they are usually much smaller that fireballs, pool fires or tank fires. However, jet fires often occur in areas where there is other equipment and the probability of flames impinging on a pipe or a vessel can be high. Furthermore, due to the turbulence of the phenomenon, the combustion in such fires is very good and high heat fluxes can seriously affect this equipment, thus originating a domino effect which will enlarge the scale of the accident. A historical survey has shown that, of the jet fires reported in accident data bases, 50 % caused another event with severe effects. In 90 % of the domino effect cases there was an explosion, usually of a vessel; this was especially frequent in transportation accidents. In this communication the main features of jet fires are commented: most frequent domino effect sequences, shape and size, thermal behaviour, mathematical modelling. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:11:57 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17232 2013-01-09T12:11:57Z Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Gómez-Mares, Mercedes; Muñoz, Miguel Angel; Palacios, Adriana no Jet fires have received only a rather reduced attention as compared to other types of fires; this is probably due to the fact that they are usually much smaller that fireballs, pool fires or tank fires. However, jet fires often occur in areas where there is other equipment and the probability of flames impinging on a pipe or a vessel can be high. Furthermore, due to the turbulence of the phenomenon, the combustion in such fires is very good and high heat fluxes can seriously affect this equipment, thus originating a domino effect which will enlarge the scale of the accident. A historical survey has shown that, of the jet fires reported in accident data bases, 50 % caused another event with severe effects. In 90 % of the domino effect cases there was an explosion, usually of a vessel; this was especially frequent in transportation accidents. In this communication the main features of jet fires are commented: most frequent domino effect sequences, shape and size, thermal behaviour, mathematical modelling. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17053 Title: Assessment of the shape of vertical jet fires Authors: Palacios, Adriana; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim Abstract: Experiments were carried out on relatively large vertical propane sonic and subsonic exit velocity jet fires (up to approximately 10 m in length and 1.5 m in width). The main geometrical features of jet fires (flame shape, length and width) were determined by analyzing infrared images. From the observations of visible and infrared images, the flame boundary was defined as that corresponding to a temperature of 800 K. Results were compared with the shapes proposed in previous research projects. In the present study, data for sonic and subsonic exit velocity flames indicated that a cylindrical shape could accurately describe the shape of a vertical propane jet fire in still air. The length of such a cylindrical jet fire was the radiant flame length and the equivalent diameter was that corresponding to a volume equal to that surrounded by the aforementioned boundary. The ratio of flame length to diameter was found to be 7. Expressions are proposed to predict the values of jet flame length and width as a function of orifice exit diameter and Reynolds number. Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:59:13 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17053 2012-11-30T08:59:13Z Palacios, Adriana; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim no Experiments were carried out on relatively large vertical propane sonic and subsonic exit velocity jet fires (up to approximately 10 m in length and 1.5 m in width). The main geometrical features of jet fires (flame shape, length and width) were determined by analyzing infrared images. From the observations of visible and infrared images, the flame boundary was defined as that corresponding to a temperature of 800 K. Results were compared with the shapes proposed in previous research projects. In the present study, data for sonic and subsonic exit velocity flames indicated that a cylindrical shape could accurately describe the shape of a vertical propane jet fire in still air. The length of such a cylindrical jet fire was the radiant flame length and the equivalent diameter was that corresponding to a volume equal to that surrounded by the aforementioned boundary. The ratio of flame length to diameter was found to be 7. Expressions are proposed to predict the values of jet flame length and width as a function of orifice exit diameter and Reynolds number. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17052 Title: Design optimization of hazardous substance storage facilities to minimize project risk Authors: Bernechea, Esteban; Arnaldos Viger, Josep Abstract: The storage of dangerous substances is a high risk procedure: a historical analysis revealed that 17% of the major accidents associated with the chemical industry are related to this process. When a storage facility is designed, the investment in safety is not always optimal. The safety measures that are applied are sometimes redundant or ill-maintained. One way to improve safety in a storage facility would be to take advantage of the fact that dividing the mass of dangerous substance results in less catastrophic accidents. In this paper, we present a new method for optimizing the design of storage plants and minimizing the risk by calculating the ideal number of tanks and improving the way in which money is invested in safety. This is achieved by redefining how to estimate risk and by applying the principles of mathematical optimization to quantitative risk analysis. The method is explained step by step. We also present two case studies and a validation of the method using risk analysis software and iso-risk curves. Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:45:10 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17052 2012-11-30T08:45:10Z Bernechea, Esteban; Arnaldos Viger, Josep no The storage of dangerous substances is a high risk procedure: a historical analysis revealed that 17% of the major accidents associated with the chemical industry are related to this process. When a storage facility is designed, the investment in safety is not always optimal. The safety measures that are applied are sometimes redundant or ill-maintained. One way to improve safety in a storage facility would be to take advantage of the fact that dividing the mass of dangerous substance results in less catastrophic accidents. In this paper, we present a new method for optimizing the design of storage plants and minimizing the risk by calculating the ideal number of tanks and improving the way in which money is invested in safety. This is achieved by redefining how to estimate risk and by applying the principles of mathematical optimization to quantitative risk analysis. The method is explained step by step. We also present two case studies and a validation of the method using risk analysis software and iso-risk curves. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16755 Title: Risk analysis active learning through the investigation of real cases Authors: Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Pastor Ferrer, Elsa; Vílchez Sánchez, Juan Antonio; Arnaldos Viger, Josep; Planas Cuchi, Eulàlia Abstract: Risk analysis is a topic of high relevance in chemical engineering. Courses on this topic are being introduced increasingly into the university curricula. The investigation of real cases is an interesting opportunity to consolidate the concepts taught in such courses and to get a better engagement of students through a creative work. The exercise proposed in this paper has to be performed by a group of students to whom a set of information has been provided. In the exercise, the students play the role of an expert team: they have to deliver a final report including diverse sections such as the description of the accident, the explanation of why and how it occurred, different calculations and finally, some conclusions. From the pedagogical point of view, the results obtained from this type of exercise are very positive and promote the students active and cooperative learning. Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:28:49 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16755 2012-10-19T08:28:49Z Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Pastor Ferrer, Elsa; Vílchez Sánchez, Juan Antonio; Arnaldos Viger, Josep; Planas Cuchi, Eulàlia no Risk analysis is a topic of high relevance in chemical engineering. Courses on this topic are being introduced increasingly into the university curricula. The investigation of real cases is an interesting opportunity to consolidate the concepts taught in such courses and to get a better engagement of students through a creative work. The exercise proposed in this paper has to be performed by a group of students to whom a set of information has been provided. In the exercise, the students play the role of an expert team: they have to deliver a final report including diverse sections such as the description of the accident, the explanation of why and how it occurred, different calculations and finally, some conclusions. From the pedagogical point of view, the results obtained from this type of exercise are very positive and promote the students active and cooperative learning. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16754 Title: Fuzzy logic based risk assessment of effluents from waste-water treatment plants Authors: Cabanillas, Julián; Ginebreda, Antoni; Guillén, Daniel; Martínez, Elena; Barceló, Damià; Moragas, Lucas; Robusté, Jordi; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria Abstract: This paper presents a new methodology to assess the risk of water effluents from waste-water treatment plants (WWTPs) based on fuzzy logic, a well-known theory to deal with uncertainty, especially in the environmental field where data are often lacking. The method has been tested using the effluent's pollution data coming from 22 waste-water treatment plants (WWTPs) located in Catalonia (NE Spain). Thirty-eight pollutants were analyzed along three campaigns performed yearly from 2008 to 2010. Whereas 9 compounds have been detected in more than 70% of the samples analyzed, 7 compounds have been found at levels equal or higher than the river Environmental Quality Standards set by the Water Framework Directive. Upon combination of both criteria (presence and concentration), compounds of greatest environmental concern in the WWTP studied are nickel, the herbicide diuron, and the endocrine disruptors nonyl and octylphenol. It is remarkable the low variability of the pollutant concentration just differing for the case of nickel and zinc. These low values of exposure together with other pollutants' characteristics provide a medium or low risk assessment for all the WWTPs. The results of this new method have been compared with COMMPS procedure, a solid method developed in the context of the Water Framework Directive, and they show that the fuzzy model is more conservative than COMMPS. This is due to different reasons: the fuzzy model takes into account the persistence of chemical compounds whereas COMMPS does not; the fuzzy model includes the weights provided by an expert group inquired in previous works and also considers the uncertainty of the environmental data, avoiding the crisp values and offering a range of overlapping between the different fuzzy sets. However, the results even if being more conservative with fuzzy logic, are in good agreement with a solid methodology such as the COMMPS procedure. Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:16:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16754 2012-10-19T08:16:59Z Cabanillas, Julián; Ginebreda, Antoni; Guillén, Daniel; Martínez, Elena; Barceló, Damià; Moragas, Lucas; Robusté, Jordi; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria no This paper presents a new methodology to assess the risk of water effluents from waste-water treatment plants (WWTPs) based on fuzzy logic, a well-known theory to deal with uncertainty, especially in the environmental field where data are often lacking. The method has been tested using the effluent's pollution data coming from 22 waste-water treatment plants (WWTPs) located in Catalonia (NE Spain). Thirty-eight pollutants were analyzed along three campaigns performed yearly from 2008 to 2010. Whereas 9 compounds have been detected in more than 70% of the samples analyzed, 7 compounds have been found at levels equal or higher than the river Environmental Quality Standards set by the Water Framework Directive. Upon combination of both criteria (presence and concentration), compounds of greatest environmental concern in the WWTP studied are nickel, the herbicide diuron, and the endocrine disruptors nonyl and octylphenol. It is remarkable the low variability of the pollutant concentration just differing for the case of nickel and zinc. These low values of exposure together with other pollutants' characteristics provide a medium or low risk assessment for all the WWTPs. The results of this new method have been compared with COMMPS procedure, a solid method developed in the context of the Water Framework Directive, and they show that the fuzzy model is more conservative than COMMPS. This is due to different reasons: the fuzzy model takes into account the persistence of chemical compounds whereas COMMPS does not; the fuzzy model includes the weights provided by an expert group inquired in previous works and also considers the uncertainty of the environmental data, avoiding the crisp values and offering a range of overlapping between the different fuzzy sets. However, the results even if being more conservative with fuzzy logic, are in good agreement with a solid methodology such as the COMMPS procedure. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16493 Title: Risk-based optimization of the design of on-shore pipeline shutdown systems Authors: Medina, Héctor; Arnaldos Viger, Josep; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Bonvicini, Sarah; Cozzani, Valerio Abstract: Crude oil and other liquid materials are transported in large quantities through pipelines. Pipelines are an efficient and safe transport way as compared to both rail and road transportation, both from the economical and environmental points of view. Nevertheless, loss of containment accidents can occur due to external action ea mechanical impact, for examplee or to corrosion, aging, etc. Even though the frequency of such events is certainly very low, the effects and consequences on environment can be very important. The consequences of accidents in pipelines can be efficiently reduced through a suitable design of the whole system. One of the points which must be decided in the design is the installation of blocking valves at appropriate distances, so that emergency shutdowns can interrupt the flow of substance and isolate the section where the loss of containment has taken place. In the case of pipe rupture the amount released is therefore limited to the content between two consecutive valves, usually placed according to heuristic criteria. However, if too many valves are used, the capital cost of equipment increases excessively, and if too few are used, the risk of serious accidents increases. In this paper we consider the possibility of improving the design of such systems by applying riskbased optimization criteria. We propose an optimization methodology to solve this conflict by means of an objective function that analyzes the variations in overall costs, including the cost of the investment (with specific reference to blocking valves) and the cost of accidents. The result is an optimum situation in which costs are kept to a minimum. As an example, we apply the methodology to the transportation of gasoline by pipeline. Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:08:24 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16493 2012-09-14T11:08:24Z Medina, Héctor; Arnaldos Viger, Josep; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim; Bonvicini, Sarah; Cozzani, Valerio no Appropriate distances, Capital costs, Emergency shutdown, External action, Hazardous materials transportation, Liquid materials, Loss of containment, Mechanical impacts, Objective functions, Optimization criteria, Optimization methodology, Overall costs, Pipe rupture, Risk-based, Road transportation, Shutdown systems Crude oil and other liquid materials are transported in large quantities through pipelines. Pipelines are an efficient and safe transport way as compared to both rail and road transportation, both from the economical and environmental points of view. Nevertheless, loss of containment accidents can occur due to external action ea mechanical impact, for examplee or to corrosion, aging, etc. Even though the frequency of such events is certainly very low, the effects and consequences on environment can be very important. The consequences of accidents in pipelines can be efficiently reduced through a suitable design of the whole system. One of the points which must be decided in the design is the installation of blocking valves at appropriate distances, so that emergency shutdowns can interrupt the flow of substance and isolate the section where the loss of containment has taken place. In the case of pipe rupture the amount released is therefore limited to the content between two consecutive valves, usually placed according to heuristic criteria. However, if too many valves are used, the capital cost of equipment increases excessively, and if too few are used, the risk of serious accidents increases. In this paper we consider the possibility of improving the design of such systems by applying riskbased optimization criteria. We propose an optimization methodology to solve this conflict by means of an objective function that analyzes the variations in overall costs, including the cost of the investment (with specific reference to blocking valves) and the cost of accidents. The result is an optimum situation in which costs are kept to a minimum. As an example, we apply the methodology to the transportation of gasoline by pipeline. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16377 Title: Aerial fire suppression evaluation grains effectiveness Authors: Pastor Ferrer, Elsa; Plucinski, Matt; Planas Cuchi, Eulàlia Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:44:40 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16377 2012-07-31T09:44:40Z Pastor Ferrer, Elsa; Plucinski, Matt; Planas Cuchi, Eulàlia no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15895 Title: Thermal radiation from vertical jet fires Authors: Palacios, Adriana; Muñoz, Miguel; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim Abstract: Geometric and thermal data, obtained from a series of large outdoor jet fire experiments, were used to estimate the thermal radiation intensity from the flames towards targets located at diverse distances. Vertical turbulent sonic and subsonic exit velocity propane jet fires, up to 10.3 m in length released in still air, were studied. The temperatures of the flame surface and the surface emissive power of the flame were also analysed by processing infrared images. Thermal radiation intensity was estimated by applying the solid flame model in both one-zone and multiple-zone configurations (taking into account the variation of surface emissive power), considering the flame as a cylinder defined by the 800 K isotherm. Experimental and predicted thermal radiation intensity values were compared. Fri, 18 May 2012 11:12:27 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15895 2012-05-18T11:12:27Z Palacios, Adriana; Muñoz, Miguel; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim no Geometric and thermal data, obtained from a series of large outdoor jet fire experiments, were used to estimate the thermal radiation intensity from the flames towards targets located at diverse distances. Vertical turbulent sonic and subsonic exit velocity propane jet fires, up to 10.3 m in length released in still air, were studied. The temperatures of the flame surface and the surface emissive power of the flame were also analysed by processing infrared images. Thermal radiation intensity was estimated by applying the solid flame model in both one-zone and multiple-zone configurations (taking into account the variation of surface emissive power), considering the flame as a cylinder defined by the 800 K isotherm. Experimental and predicted thermal radiation intensity values were compared. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15831 Title: Design optimization of storage facilities taking into account the domino effect Authors: Bernechea, Esteban; Arnaldos Viger, Josep Abstract: Storing hazardous substances is a process that entrails high risk, and in which many resources are spent in the planning of safety measures; however, safety could be included at the initial stages of the design of this type of installations, by optimizing the number of tanks that are used to store the substance. The effects and consequences of major accidents are directly proportional to the mass of materials involved in them; therefore, if the mass was divided in more containing units, the consequences at the moment of an accident occurrence would be lesser. However, as more units are used to store a dangerous substance in an installation, the risk of domino effect occurrence at the moment of an accident also increases. The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology that allows finding the optimum number of units that have to be used to store dangerous materials, taking the possibility of domino effect occurrence into account. The proposed methodology is described and applied to a case study as a decision making tool, obtaining results that demonstrate that the design of storage installations can be improved from a risk point of view, by combining quantitative risk analysis and optimization techniques. Fri, 11 May 2012 10:28:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15831 2012-05-11T10:28:59Z Bernechea, Esteban; Arnaldos Viger, Josep no Storing hazardous substances is a process that entrails high risk, and in which many resources are spent in the planning of safety measures; however, safety could be included at the initial stages of the design of this type of installations, by optimizing the number of tanks that are used to store the substance. The effects and consequences of major accidents are directly proportional to the mass of materials involved in them; therefore, if the mass was divided in more containing units, the consequences at the moment of an accident occurrence would be lesser. However, as more units are used to store a dangerous substance in an installation, the risk of domino effect occurrence at the moment of an accident also increases. The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology that allows finding the optimum number of units that have to be used to store dangerous materials, taking the possibility of domino effect occurrence into account. The proposed methodology is described and applied to a case study as a decision making tool, obtaining results that demonstrate that the design of storage installations can be improved from a risk point of view, by combining quantitative risk analysis and optimization techniques. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15830 Title: Multi-objective optimization of hazardous substance storage facilities. The decision between risks and costs associated to the project Authors: Bernechea, Esteban; Zamarripa, Miguel; Arnaldos Viger, Josep Abstract: The design storage installations for dangerous substances can be optimized from a safety and risk point of view by combining quantitative risk analysis and mathematical optimization techniques; the consequences of accidents are directly proportional to the mass involved in them, which means that in a storage installation, if the totality of the stored substance is divided into more tanks, the consequences when an accident occurs in any of the units will be less significant than if all the mass was stored in one tank (in installations where there is low possibility of domino effect occurrence). However, as more tanks are used to store the mass, the economical investment will also increase; then, a situation arises between two conflicting objectives, that can be solved through the use of multi objective optimization. Fri, 11 May 2012 10:21:57 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15830 2012-05-11T10:21:57Z Bernechea, Esteban; Zamarripa, Miguel; Arnaldos Viger, Josep no The design storage installations for dangerous substances can be optimized from a safety and risk point of view by combining quantitative risk analysis and mathematical optimization techniques; the consequences of accidents are directly proportional to the mass involved in them, which means that in a storage installation, if the totality of the stored substance is divided into more tanks, the consequences when an accident occurs in any of the units will be less significant than if all the mass was stored in one tank (in installations where there is low possibility of domino effect occurrence). However, as more tanks are used to store the mass, the economical investment will also increase; then, a situation arises between two conflicting objectives, that can be solved through the use of multi objective optimization. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15670 Title: Main features and mathematical modelling of flash fires Authors: Villafañe, Diana; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:06:50 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15670 2012-03-27T11:06:50Z Villafañe, Diana; Darbra Roman, Rosa Maria; Casal Fàbrega, Joaquim no