Identification and Simulation of Fire and Explosion Hazards using HAZOP and ALOHA, Case Study: The Ignition System of a Power Plant

A power plant is widely recognized as a high-risk industrial environment due to the complex processes and potential exposure to hazardous materials, high temperatures, and powerful machinery. In the meantime, identifying fire and explosion hazards is vital to preventing catastrophic incidents, safeguarding lives and assets, and ensuring the safe, compliant operation of process plants. This study investigates fire and explosion hazards associated with the ignition system of a power plant situated in northern Iran. Hazard identification was performed using the HAZOP technique, while risk levels were assessed and prioritized through a Decision Matrix Risk Assessment (DMRA). To visualize the severity of potential hazards, the ALOHA software was employed for consequence modeling. The most important identified risk was a temperature deviation failure in the control system of the vaporizer burner. Installing a temperature indicator on the vaporizer outlet line is recommended to assist operators and supervisors in detecting and preventing such deviation and its potential consequences. The results of ALOHA indicate that the resulting explosion and radiation levels, along with potential domino effects, pose a significant threat to human life.