SIS Power Failure Detection for Flare System Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flare and relief system designs in hydrocarbon processing facilities do not include early power failure detection methods, leading to potential hazardous over-pressure scenarios and oversized system requirements, which compromise safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a computer-implemented method for early power failure detection using a safety instrumented system (SIS) logic solver that receives inputs from main power distribution systems and motor control centers, generating output signals to cut incoming feed and discard power failures as worst-case scenarios, thus reducing system sizing and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flare and relief system designs are used without early power failure detection, then the systems are designed to accommodate worst-case power failure scenarios, but this results in oversized system sizing and increased capital costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of power failure conditions through the SIS logic solver before they escalate into hazardous over-pressure scenarios. By monitoring power distribution systems and detecting failures early, the system takes preventive action to cut incoming feed, thereby eliminating the need to design for worst-case power failure scenarios and allowing for optimized, smaller flare and relief system sizing
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of the power distribution system through dedicated sensors and SIS logic solvers. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about power failure conditions, enabling the system to respond proactively and prevent escalation to worst-case scenarios, thus allowing for reduced flare system sizing while maintaining safety
2Reliability
If flare systems are oversized to account for power failure scenarios, then safety is maintained, but greenhouse gas emissions increase due to unnecessary hydrocarbon venting
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting power failures through SIS monitoring before they can cause over-pressure conditions requiring flare activation. This early detection and preventive shutdown of incoming feed eliminates unnecessary hydrocarbon venting to the flare, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining safety through proactive intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of power failures (which would normally require flare activation and cause emissions) into a benefit by detecting and responding to them early. The SIS logic solver transforms what would be a hazardous scenario requiring emissions-intensive mitigation into a controlled event with minimal environmental impact
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus include a computer-implemented method that performs the following. First inputs are received from a first monitoring of the main power distribution system (MPDS) at a safety instrumented system (SIS) logic solver. The first inputs include power status information for equipment monitored by a main distribution switchgears (MDS). A second input is received at the SIS logic solver, from a second monitoring of the MPDS. The second input includes power status information for equipment monitored by a motor control center (MCC). SIS logic solver logic in the SIS logic solver is executed by the SIS logic solver using at least one of the first and second MPDS inputs. Upon confirmation of a power failure in the MPDS detected instantly by MDS or MCC functional safety capable controllers, the SIS logic solver logic generates an output signal to cut an incoming feed to processing plants, leading to discard power failure as a worst credible design case scenario for flare and disposal relief systems, the worst credible design case scenario caused by at least one of the first inputs and the second inputs.