8 Hazard To Life.. 1
8.1 Introduction.. 1
8.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards And Criteria.. 3
8.3 Project Construction Arrangement and Schedule.. 5
8.4 QRA Methodology.. 5
8.5 Meteorological Data and Population Data.. 12
8.6 QRA For Biogas Facilities. 16
8.7 QRA For Tai Po Gas Production Plant. 31
8.8 QRA For Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Storage Facilities. 48
8.9 Residual Impacts. 60
8.10 Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements. 60
8.11 Conclusion.. 60
8.12 Recommendations. 61
8.13 Reference.. 62
List of TABLES
Table 8.1 EIA
Study Brief (Appendix E) ¡V Hazard to Life Requirements. 1
Table 8.2
Summary of Ignition Sources assumed in QRA.. 9
Table 8.3
Ignition Probabilities of ignition Source. 9
Table 8.4
Overpressure Effects. 11
Table 8.5 Population Data for Concurrent
Projects. 12
Table 8.6 Day
Time Meteorological Data. 12
Table 8.7
Night Time Meteorological Data. 13
Table 8.8
Population for Various Project Development Phases. 14
Table 8.9
Temporary Change in Population.. 15
Table 8.10
Operating Conditions of Proposed Biogas Facilities. 16
Table 8.11
Operating Conditions of Existing Biogas Facilities. 17
Table 8.12
Composition and Properties of Biogas from Anaerobic Digestion Process. 17
Table
8.13 Storage Quantities of
Dangerous Goods. 18
Table 8.14
Storage Quantities of Other Chemicals. 18
Table 8.15
Hazardous Systems Identified at Biogas Facilities within TPSTW... 19
Table 8.16
Failure Frequency Data. 20
Table 8.17
Accident Involvements of Medium / Heavy Goods Vehicles in Hong Kong. 21
Table 8.18 Event Frequencies. 22
Table 8.19
Properties of Naphtha. 34
Table 8.20
Composition of Town Gas [18]. 34
Table 8.21
Physical Properties of Town Gas [18]. 34
Table 8.22
Hazardous Systems Identified at TPGPP.. 35
Table 8.23
Failure Frequency Data for Tank. 38
Table 8.24
Failure Frequency Data for Equipment. 38
Table 8.25
Failure frequency Estimated for Hazardous Sections. 39
Table 8.26
Information of LPG storage tank in Apex Print Limited and Zama Print Limited.. 48
Table 8.27 Physical Properties of LPG.. 50
Table 8.28 Hazardous Scenarios. 51
Table 8.29 Event Frequencies. 52
List of EXHIBITS
Exhibit 8.1 .......... Biogas Facility and other Fuel Gas DG facilities
covered in QRA.. 7
Exhibit 8.2 .......... Hong Kong Societal Risk Criteria. 9
Exhibit 8.3 .......... QRA Methodology. 12
Exhibit 8.4 .......... Event Tree Extracted from MPACT (for Gaseous
Release). 15
Exhibit 8.5 .......... Event Tree Extracted from MPACT (for Liquid
Release). 16
Exhibit 8.6 .......... Event Tree Extracted from MPACT (for Catastrophic
Rupture). 17
Exhibit 8.7 .......... Individual Risk Contours ¡V Construction of New West
Plant in Proposed Expansion Site. 36
Exhibit 8.8 .......... Individual Risk Contours ¡V Construction in Existing
West Plant. 37
Exhibit 8.9 .......... Individual Risk Contours ¡V Operational Phase. 38
Exhibit 8.10 ....... F-N Curve ¡V Biogas Facilities
within the Project Site (Base Case). 2
Exhibit 8.11 ....... F-N Curve ¡V Biogas Facilities
within the Project Site (Sensitivity Case for Concurrent Project). 4
Exhibit 8.12 ....... TPGPP and its CZ.. 5
Exhibit 8.13 ....... Layout of TPGPP.. 6
Exhibit 8.14 ....... CRG Process Flow Diagram [18]. 7
Exhibit 8.15 ....... Individual Risk Contours ¡V Tai Po
Gas Production Plant. 13
Exhibit 8.16 ....... F-N Curve ¡V Tai Po Gas Production
Plant. 16
Exhibit 8.17 ....... F-N Curve ¡V Tai Po Gas Production
Plant (Sensitivity Case for Concurrent Project). 18
Exhibit 8.18 ....... Location of LPG Storage and
Vaporizer at Apex Print Limited.. 19
Exhibit 8.19 ....... Plot Plan of LPG Storage and
Vaporizer at Zama Print Limited.. 19
Exhibit 8.20 ....... Location of LPG Storage vessel at
Zama Print Limited.. 20
Exhibit 8.21 ....... Individual Risk Contours ¡V LPG
Storage Facility at Apex Print Limited.. 24
Exhibit 8.22 ....... Individual Risk Contours ¡V LPG
Storage Facility at Zama Industries Limited.. 25
Exhibit 8.23 ....... F-N Curve - LPG Storage Facility
at Apex Print Limited.. 26
Exhibit 8.24 ....... F-N Curve - LPG Storage Facility
at Zama Industries Limited.. 27
Exhibit 8.25 F-N
Curve - LPG Storage Facility at Apex Print Limited (Sensitivity Case for
Concurrent Project). 28
Exhibit 8.26 F-N
Curve - LPG Storage Facility at Zama Industries Limited (Sensitivity Case for
Concurrent Project). 29
APPENDICES
Appendix 8.1 Population
Data
Appendix 8.2 Calculation
of Transient Population
Appendix 8.3 Preliminary
Layout of Proposed Biogas Facilities and Tentative Locations of Chemical Storage
Appendix 8.4 Existing
Biogas Facilities and Tentative Construction Plan
Appendix 8.5 External
Hazards Review
Appendix 8.6 PHAST RISK
Parameters
Appendix 8.7 Review of
Historical Accident
Appendix 8.8 Consequence
Data
Appendix 8.9 Failure
Frequency for Scenarios Associated with Naphtha Storage Tanks
Appendix 8.10 Projectile Risk Assessment
Appendix 8.11 Detailed FTA
Appendix 8.12 Top Risk Contributors
8
Hazard
to Life
8.1.1
This Project would involve co-digestion of
indigenous sewage sludge from Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works (TPSTW), imported
sewage sludge from other Sewage Treatment Works (STWs) in East New Territories
and imported organic / food waste from the proposed Organic Waste Pre-treatment
Centre (New Territories East) (OWPC) co-located adjacent to TPSTW. The sewage
sludge and organic / pre-treated food waste will be anaerobically co-digested
to generate biogas as an energy source for power supply.
8.1.2
Under Section 5(7)(a) of the Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance (Cap. 499) (EIAO), the Director of
Environmental Protection (the Director) has issued a EIA Study Brief
No.ESB-321/2019 for this Project (EIA Study Brief), which specifies the
technical requirements of Hazard to Life assessments to be conducted for the
Project. As stated in Section 2.1 of the EIA Study Brief, the objective of the
assessment is to identify any potential hazard to life due to generation,
storage, utilization, processing and transmission (if applicable) of biogas
within the Project site and due to neighbouring fuel
gas dangerous goods (DGs) facilities during the construction and operation of
the Project and to propose measures to mitigate these impacts if required. For
reference, the detailed requirements as given in Appendix E of the EIA brief
are repeated in Table
8.1.
Table 8.1 EIA Study Brief (Appendix E) ¡V Hazard to Life Requirements
Biogas
1.
The
Applicant shall investigate methods to avoid and/or minimize risk from biogas
during the construction and operation stages of the Project. The Applicant
shall carry out hazard assessment to evaluate potential hazard to life due to
biogas.
2.
The
hazard assessment shall include the following:
i.
Identify
hazardous scenarios associated with the generation, storage, utilization,
processing and transmission (if applicable) of biogas due to the Project and
hazardous scenarios due to neighbouring dangerous
goods (DGs) facilities which may cause impact to the biogas facilities of the
Project (including but not limited to DGs stores at Linde HKO Limited) and
then determine a set of relevant scenarios to be included in a Quantitative
Risk Assessment (QRA);
ii.
Execute
a QRA of the set of hazardous scenarios determined in sub-section (i) above, expressing population risks in both individual
and societal terms;
iii.
Compare
individual and societal risks with the criteria for evaluating hazard to life
stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM; and
iv.
Identify
and assess practicable and cost-effective risk mitigation measures.
3.
The
methodology to be used in the hazard assessment shall be consistent with
previous studies having similar issues.
Fuel
Gas Dangerous Goods including Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Town Gas
4.
The
Applicant shall carry out hazard assessment to evaluate the risk due to fuel
gas dangerous goods (DGs) facilities in the vicinity, including Zama
Industries Limited and Apex Print Limited during construction and operation stages
of the Project. The Applicant shall provide the estimated numbers of
construction workers and staff of the Project during construction and
operation stages of the Project respectively, and seek the Director¡¦s
agreement on whether the hazard assessment has to cover risk due to Tai Po
Gas Production Plant. The hazard assessment shall include the following:
i.
Identify
hazardous scenarios associated with the fuel gas DG facilities with a view to
determining a set of relevant scenarios to be included in a QRA;
ii.
Execute
a QRA of the set of hazardous scenarios determined in sub-section (i) above, expressing population risks in both individual
and societal terms;
iii.
Compare
individual and societal risks with the criteria for evaluating hazard to life
stipulated in Annex 4 of the TM; and
iv.
Identify
and assess practicable and cost-effective risk mitigation measures.
5.
The
methodology to be used in the hazard assessment shall be consistent with
previous studies having similar issues.
|
8.1.3
On this basis, a Quantitative Risk Assessment
(QRA) has been conducted to evaluate hazardous scenarios associated with the
proposed Project and other fuel gas DG facilities in the vicinity of the
proposed Project. The facilities covered in the QRA include the followings:
1. Biogas
Facilities within the proposed Project Site
2. Tai
Po Gas Production Plant (TPGPP)
3. Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility at Apex Print Limited
4. Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility at Zama Industries Limited, and
5. Dangerous
Goods (DGs) storage at Linde HKO Limited
8.1.4
The Project site location in relation to the
above facilities is shown in Exhibit
8.1. Notably, TPGPP is a
Potentially Hazardous Installation (PHI).
Exhibit
8.1
Biogas Facility and other Fuel Gas DG facilities covered in QRA
8.2
Environmental Legislation,
Standards and Criteria
8.2.1
The assessed risk levels of hazardous sources
shall be compared with the risk guidelines stipulated in the EIAO-TM Annex 4 [2] to determine the
acceptability. As set out in the EIAO-TM Annex 4, the risk guidelines comprise
the following two components:
1.
Individual Risk: The maximum level of
off-site individual risk should not exceed 1 ¡Ñ 10-5 / year, i.e. 1
in 100,000 per year; and
2.
Societal Risk: Societal risk is expressed
in the form of an F-N curve (Exhibit
8.2), which represents the
cumulative frequency (F) of all event outcomes leading to N or more fatalities.
The F-N curve consists of three different regions defined as follows:
n Unacceptable
region: where risk is so high that they should usually be reduced regardless of
the cost or else the hazardous activity should not proceed;
n ALARP
region: where risk is tolerable, provided that it has been reduced to a level
As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP); and
n Acceptable
region: where risk is broadly acceptable and does not require further risk
reduction.
Exhibit
8.2
Hong Kong Societal Risk Criteria
8.3.1
The existing TPSTW comprises two independent
plants, namely West Plant and East Plant. In order to maintain normal sewage
treatment services of the existing TPSTW during the construction phase, a New
West Plant would be built in the proposed expansion site. The New West Plant
would be a relatively compact Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and be able to
provide adequate sewage treatment capacity to meet the projected sewage flow
buildup before the normal treatment services of the existing West Plant is
decommissioned. After the New West Plant is fully commissioned, the existing
West Plant would be partially demolished to make room for the construction of
new facilities such as the sludge treatment and co-digestion works.
8.3.2
The construction works
of this Project are tentatively scheduled to commence in 2025 for completion in
2036. Majority of the demolition
works in the existing West Plant of TPSTW would be carried out from 2027 to
2033 after the New West Plant in the proposed expansion site is in operation.
8.4
QRA Methodology
8.4.1
The key
elements of a QRA study are outlined in Exhibit
8.3.
Exhibit 8.3 QRA
Methodology
8.4.2
While the following paragraphs of this section
describe the general QRA methodology employed, the facility-specific approaches
and assumptions are detailed in the respective facility QRA sections of this
hazard to life assessment.
8.4.3
In general, the following previously approved
QRA studies have been referenced when developing the QRA for this Project:
n SEKD
EIA Report [11]
n Yuen
Long Biogas [33]
n Chai
Wan Government Complex and Vehicle Depot EIA Report [9]
n HATS
Stage 2A EIA Report [10]
n LPG
Shell Depot [27]
n LPG
Storage at Choi Po Court [35]
Hazard Identification
8.4.4
The hazard identification involved a review of
the hazardous material properties and a review of the past accidents, with the
objective of identifying potential hazards and scenarios to be modelled in the
subsequent frequency and consequence analysis. The summary of review of
historical accidents is presented in Appendix 8.7. In
addition, external hazards review was also carried out to assess potential
hazards raised due to external sources such as aircraft crash, earthquake, etc.
and the summary is presented in Appendix 8.5.
8.4.5
The following hazardous events are generally
considered in the event of a loss of containment scenario:
n Fireball: In the case of immediate ignition of an
instantaneous gas release, this will result in a fireball. Typically, a
fireball occurs due to catastrophic ruptures of process equipment/vessels. A
fireball is of hemispherical shape emitting thermal radiation. Thermal
radiation from a fireball is independent of weather and wind direction.
n Pool
Fire: A pool fire occurs upon the ignition of flammable liquid which has
been spilled on the ground.
n Jet
Fire: A jet fire occurs as a consequence of ignition of pressurized gas
releases. A jet fire emits thermal radiation and hence can cause harm to
population in the vicinity.
n
Flash Fire: A flash fire occurs when a flammable gas release occurs, however
ignition is delayed. If the ignition source is within the Upper Flammability
Limit and Lower Flammability Limit, it shall result in ignition of the
flammable release. If the release does not come in contact with an ignition
source, prior to being diluted below its Lower Flammability Limit, no harm is
anticipated as the gas is too lean for ignition.
n
VCE: When a flammable vapour cloud forms, disperses
and accumulates in areas with high congestion and / or confinement, and is then
ignited, a Vapour Cloud Explosion (VCE) may occur,
leading to damaging overpressures to buildings and resulting in building damage
/ collapse.
n Toxic
Release: An unignited release may pose a hazard if the release stream
contains significant amount of toxic material.
n Boiling-Liquid
Expanding-Vapor Explosion (BLEVE): An
explosion caused by a liquid which is boiling and continuing to produce a
flammable vapor.
Frequency Analysis
8.4.6
Frequency analysis is used to derive the final
event outcome frequencies. By using historical failure frequency data, the
failure event outcome frequency is determined. The likelihood of each
identified scenario was quantified taking into account the site-specific
features and project activities. In
general, initial hazardous event frequencies, i.e. loss of containment, were
derived from historical databases and then modified, as required, to factor in
the site-specific conditions. Where required, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) was
also carried out to quantify the various possibilities of event combinations as
well as the typical safety systems in place.
8.4.7
Following a leak or rupture, various
hazardous events may arise depending on the release conditions (e.g.
instantaneous or continuous release, rainout and vaporization of the released
material) as well as the type of ignition (e.g. immediate or delayed ignition).
The frequencies of these undesired outcome events such as flash fire, pool
fire, jet fire, explosion, etc. were derived using Event Tree Analysis (ETA).
8.4.8
ETA is an analysis technique which identifies
different possible outcomes following an initiating event and estimates the
probabilities for each of these outcomes. Event Tree starts with initiating
event and proceeds by examining each contributing factor in chronological order
to identify all possible outcomes. The frequencies of event outcomes are
calculated by multiplying the initiating event frequency and probabilities of
all contributing factors leading to the specific hazardous event. In this
study, PHASTRISK Event Tree was used to generate the outcome events. The detailed parameters used in PHASTRISK are presented in Appendix 8.6. The figures below
present the event trees for various scenarios for MPACT used in the QRA,
including gaseous release, liquid release, and vessel catastrophic rupture.
Exhibit 8.4 Event Tree
Extracted from MPACT (for Gaseous Release)
Exhibit 8.5 Event Tree
Extracted from MPACT (for Liquid Release)
Exhibit 8.6 Event Tree
Extracted from MPACT (for Catastrophic Rupture)
8.4.9
The
immediate ignition probability was determined based on TNO material reactivity
method [6] in PHASTRISK, which takes into account the
size of release and the flammability of released substance. The delayed ignition
probability was estimated based on the specific ignition sources identified in
the area. Based on the guidelines by Purple Book [6], the probability of ignition by an ignition
source is dependent on its ignition efficiency and the presence factor within
the source.
Noted that the ignition efficiency for Industrial Building category is
based on "Heavy Industry" and "Light Industry". For Light
Industry, the efficiency is a function of population size and it is
conservatively capped at 0.4 same as Road Vehicles. The main ignition sources in the area
and the ignition efficiency assumed have been summarized in Table 8.2 and Table 8.3.
Table 8.2 Summary of Ignition Sources assumed in QRA
Ignition
Sources
|
Description
|
Ignition Efficiency*
|
Flare and furnace
|
Open flame or very hot surfaces
|
1
|
Combined Heat and Power Generation System (CHP) in TPSTW
|
Hot surface and combustion
|
1
|
TPGPP Process Trains
|
Heating and rotating equipment
|
0.45
|
Factories
|
Potential hot works and
heavy machine operations
|
0.7
|
Industrial buildings
|
Smoking, cooking and use
of electrical appliances
|
0.4
|
Road Vehicles
|
Vehicle engines and hot
exhaust gases
|
0.4
|
TPSTW Process Equipment
|
High power consumption or high speed pumps and motors
|
0.45
|
*ignition efficiency in a period of 60 seconds (derived from Purple Book
based on the ignition source type).
Table 8.3 Ignition
Probabilities of ignition Source
Ignition
Sources
|
Type
|
Ignition Probability in 60s
|
Presence Factor
|
Tai Po Towngas Production Train (PT1 ¡V 8)
|
Area
|
0.45
|
1
|
Tai Po Towngas Furnace Phase 1
|
Line
|
1
|
1
|
Tai Po Towngas Furnace Phase 2
|
Line
|
1
|
1
|
South China Morning Post
|
Area
|
0.4
|
1
|
Tao Heung Group
|
Area
|
0.4
|
1
|
Lee Kee Group
|
Area
|
0.4
|
1
|
Hong Kong Note Printing
Ltd.
|
Area
|
0.4
|
1
|
Hong Kong Yamazaki
Baking Co.Ltd.
|
Area
|
0.4
|
1
|
Nissin Foods *
|
Area
|
0.4
|
1
|
Hitachi Chemical
|
Area
|
0.4
|
1
|
Linde HKO Ltd.
|
Area
|
0.7
|
1
|
Golik Metal
|
Area
|
0.7
|
1
|
Yuen Shin Road
|
Transportation line
|
0.4
|
Refer to hourly vehicle
flow in Appendix 8.2
|
Ting Kok
Road
|
Dai Fuk
Road
|
Dai Wah Road
|
Dai Fat Road
|
Dai Shing Road
|
Dai Cheong Road
|
Dai Wang Road
|
Dai Fu Road
|
Dai Kwai Road
|
Dai Hei Road
|
Dai King Road
|
Dai Shun Road
|
*Refers to Population D in Appendix 8.1.
Consequence Analysis
8.4.10
Consequence
assessment was performed to predict the size, shape and orientation of the
hazard zones resulting from releases of flammable and toxic substances. DNV
PHAST V6.7 was used to perform the consequence modelling, which comprises the
following elements:
n Source
term/ discharge modelling
n Dispersion
modelling
n Fire
and explosion modelling
n Effects
modelling
8.4.11
Source
term or discharge modelling involved the determination of maximum discharge
rate, release duration, and other physical properties (such as discharge
velocity and temperature resulting from gas expansion) of the released material
following a leak or rupture. These estimated parameters were then set as the
initial conditions for the subsequent dispersion or fire effects modelling.
8.4.12
In the
event of a release or rupture of piping or equipment, all releases were
modelled as continuous release at the maximum flow rate. For catastrophic
rupture of equipment, the entire volume of the process equipment was taken for
modelling.
8.4.13
Dispersion modelling involved mathematical
simulation of how the released materials disperse in the ambient atmosphere.
Downwind and crosswind concentrations were determined to find the gas cloud
hazard footprint. Vapor dispersion modelling was conducted using PHAST¡¦s
Unified Dispersion Model (UDM). The model considers the following aspects of
vapor cloud behavior in dispersion modelling:
n
Continuous, instantaneous or time-varying
releases;
n
Jet, heavy-gas and passive dispersion;
n
Elevated, touchdown and ground level dispersion;
n
Droplet dispersion, rainout and droplet
vaporization; and,
n
Dispersion over land or water surfaces.
8.4.14
Physical effect modelling determined the
magnitude of damage caused by exposure to fire, heat radiation, toxic, or
explosion overpressure.
8.4.15
Probit functions were
used to estimate the probability of fatality due to a physical effect, e.g.
thermal radiation, etc. For flammable hazards, such as jet
fire and fireball, the probability of fatality due to the exposure to high
thermal radiation can be calculated with the probit
equation from Purple Book [6] in
the following form:
Where,
is the
probit;
is the
heat radiation (Wm-2); and
is the
exposure time (s).
8.4.16
For
toxic gas dispersion, probit functions were also used
to relate the probability of human fatality with the gas concentration of the
toxic substance. As an example, the following probit
equation
from Phast can be used to estimate the likelihood of
fatality due to exposure to toxic H2S gas:
Where,
is the
probit;
is the
H2S concentration (ppm); and
is the
exposure time (minutes).
8.4.17
For
overpressure effects, people indoor have a higher harm probability compared to
people outdoor due to the risk of building collapse and flying debris.
Referring to Purple Book [6], the overpressure levels used in the
assessment are presented in Table
8.4.
Table 8.4 Overpressure Effects
Explosion Overpressure (bar)
|
Fraction of Fatality
|
Indoor
|
Outdoor
|
> 0.3
|
1.000
|
1.000
|
> 0.1 to 0.3
|
0.025
|
0
|
8.4.18
For flash fire, all persons outdoor within the
flash fire envelope (LFL contour) were assumed to be fatally injured i.e.
fatality rate of 100%.
8.4.19
Buildings are assumed to offer protection to
occupants against fire, and thus indoor protection factor was assumed to be 90%
following previous QRA study [9].
A 100% exposure was assumed for open space.
Risk Summation
8.4.20
Risk summation then combined the estimates of
likelihood and consequence for the identified hazardous events to produce the
risk results, which are expressed in terms of individual risk and societal risk
as per EIAO-TM [2]. Risk mitigation
measures are recommended, where required to reduce the risk to As low As
Reasonable Practicable (ALARP). DNV PHASTRISK v6.7 was used for modelling
and risk summation.
8.4.21
To
study the effects on different facilities onsite and change in construction
workforce in the various phases of the Project, three representative study
cases were considered for societal risk assessment:
n Construction
of New West Plant (2025)
n Construction
in Existing West Plant (2030), and
n Operational
Phase (2036).
Sensitivity Case for Concurrent Project
Construction
8.4.22
In
addition to the proposed Project, it is noted that there are two related
projects which are planned to have construction works within the proposed
Project location, or in adjacent plot. Therefore, a sensitivity analysis of
societal risk considering these concurrent projects is also carried out. The
identified concurrent projects are described below and their locations are
shown in Figure
2.2. Note that the population data for
concurrent project was estimated by the project contractor based on past actual
data for similar projects.
Proposed
Organic Waste Pre-treatment Centre
8.4.23
Development
of Organic Waste Pre-treatment Centre (New Territories East) is an interfacing
project proposed by EPD under ¡§Agreement No. CE 5/2021 (EP)¡¨. The proposed
Organic Waste Pre-treatment Centre (OWPC) is planned to receive and pre-treat
the source-separated food waste for transferring to the Tai Po Sewage Treatment
Works (TPSTW) and / or off-site anaerobic digesters in other Sewage Treatment
Works (STW) for co-digestion with sewage sludge. It is tentatively scheduled to
commence construction in 2025 for completion by 2029.
Proposed THEES Upgrading
8.4.24
This is
a separate interfacing project proposed by EPD under ¡§Agreement No. CE 13/2015
(DS)¡¨. It involves upgrading of the effluent conveyance capacity of Tolo Harbour Effluent Export
Scheme (THEES) in order to cater for the projected effluent flow of this
Project. The proposed THEES upgrading works involve expansion of the Tai Po
Effluent Pumping Station (TPEPS) within the Project site, as well as
construction of a new effluent rising mains in Tai Po Industrial Estate (TPIE)
and a new submarine pipeline (across inner Tolo Harbour) to handle the Project flow. The proposed
TPEPS expansion located within the Project site will be constructed and
operated under this Project and incorporated into the construction programme and design of this Project. Construction of the new effluent rising
mains and submarine pipeline will be undertaken separately and is tentatively
scheduled to commence in 2025 for completion 2031. All the proposed THEES
upgrading works are committed to match the implementation programme
of this Project.
Table 8.5 Population Data for Concurrent Projects
Concurrent
Project
|
Max.
No. of Worker in TPIE During Construction Phase
|
Max.
No. of Worker in TPIE During Operational Phase
|
OWPC
|
300 *
|
35 #
|
THEES Upgrading Works
|
100 *
|
0 #
|
*
Size of construction workforce was
estimated based on experiences in other construction contracts of similar
scale.
# Data was confirmed by the
respective project proponent to be acceptable for use in this assessment.
8.5
Meteorological Data and Population Data
Meteorological Data
8.5.1
The meteorological conditions affect the
consequence of gas release in particular the wind direction, speed and
stability, which influence the direction and degree of turbulence of gas
dispersion. The latest meteorological data (as of January2022) was collected
from Tai Po Kau Weather Station [3] considering the past
6-year data (2015 ¡V 2020). Twelve weather directions were considered, and two
different sets of Meteorological data were used for representing the Day time
and Night time weather condition. Ambient temperature and relative humidity
were taken as 25 oC and 80%, respectively
[53].
8.5.2
Table 8.6 and Table
8.7 present the day time and night time
meteorological data, respectively.
Table 8.6 Day Time Meteorological Data
Direction
|
Weather Class
|
Total
|
3B
|
1D
|
4D
|
6D
|
1F
|
3E
|
0 - 30
|
0.14
|
0.71
|
0.11
|
0.07
|
1.41
|
0.01
|
2.45
|
30 - 60
|
0.29
|
0.96
|
0.26
|
0.10
|
0.78
|
0.15
|
2.53
|
60 - 90
|
4.72
|
2.53
|
2.37
|
1.08
|
1.30
|
0.51
|
12.5
|
90 - 120
|
10.4
|
4.20
|
4.94
|
6.94
|
3.04
|
1.04
|
30.5
|
120 - 150
|
2.33
|
2.88
|
3.07
|
1.05
|
3.97
|
0.94
|
14.2
|
150 - 180
|
0.88
|
1.62
|
0.52
|
0.00
|
3.59
|
0.11
|
6.71
|
180 - 210
|
1.33
|
1.14
|
0.22
|
0.03
|
1.97
|
0.03
|
4.71
|
210 - 240
|
1.23
|
0.74
|
0.19
|
0.00
|
0.89
|
0.03
|
3.08
|
240 - 270
|
1.07
|
1.40
|
0.97
|
0.08
|
2.42
|
0.77
|
6.71
|
270 - 300
|
1.94
|
1.25
|
3.05
|
0.47
|
2.77
|
0.70
|
10.2
|
300 - 330
|
1.00
|
0.71
|
0.75
|
0.21
|
1.38
|
0.22
|
4.27
|
330 - 360
|
0.44
|
0.53
|
0.31
|
0.03
|
0.66
|
0.08
|
2.05
|
All
|
25.7
|
18.7
|
16.8
|
10.1
|
24.2
|
4.59
|
100
|
Table 8.7 Night Time Meteorological Data
Direction
|
Weather Class
|
Total
|
1D
|
4D
|
6D
|
1F
|
3E
|
0 - 30
|
0.06
|
0.07
|
0.03
|
4.96
|
0.02
|
5.14
|
30 - 60
|
0.03
|
0.17
|
0.02
|
1.30
|
0.26
|
1.78
|
60 - 90
|
0.06
|
1.84
|
0.48
|
2.28
|
1.08
|
5.75
|
90 - 120
|
0.09
|
3.76
|
3.16
|
5.07
|
1.75
|
13.8
|
120 - 150
|
0.21
|
2.38
|
0.53
|
12.78
|
1.92
|
17.8
|
150 - 180
|
0.17
|
0.09
|
0.00
|
14.79
|
0.19
|
15.2
|
180 - 210
|
0.09
|
0.04
|
0.00
|
9.68
|
0.07
|
9.87
|
210 - 240
|
0.08
|
0.09
|
0.00
|
4.86
|
0.09
|
5.12
|
240 - 270
|
0.21
|
0.88
|
0.01
|
7.85
|
1.35
|
10.3
|
270 - 300
|
0.09
|
2.18
|
0.12
|
6.97
|
1.17
|
10.5
|
300 - 330
|
0.02
|
0.46
|
0.08
|
2.35
|
0.19
|
3.11
|
330 - 360
|
0.03
|
0.16
|
0.06
|
1.19
|
0.07
|
1.50
|
All
|
1.13
|
12.13
|
4.49
|
74.09
|
8.16
|
100
|
Population Data
8.5.3
As noted previously, three assessment years,
namely 2025, 2030, and 2036, were considered for the societal risk assessment.
The latest population data (i.e. 2021) has been collected and derived from
various sources, and then projection was made to give the estimate of the
population in future years. The population data used in the QRA is summarized
in Appendix
8.1.
Proposed
Upgrading of TPSTW
8.5.4
Currently, the TPSTW has 124 personnel on site.
The adjoining plot for the proposed expansion is currently used by external
parties, and the number of occupiers is approximately 168 based on
questionnaire survey conducted in year 2020. The maximum construction work force has
been estimated by the project engineers based on past projects of similar scale.
Estimates were made based on monthly anticipated work force on site, the
maximum number of construction workers (in the outdoor area) has been estimated
to be about 300 for the New West Plant between 2025 and 2029, and about 400 for
construction in the Existing West Plant Area between 2029 and 2036. During the
operational phase of the Project, there will be about 240 workers onsite, which
is still less than the existing level with consideration of removing the
existing tenants in the proposed expansion site. Existing and future population
within the Project site is presented in the table below.
Table 8.8 Population for Various Project Development Phases
Phase
|
DSD Personnel
|
Existing Occupiers
|
Project Construction
Workers (in Outdoor Area)
|
Current Situation / Baseline (Year 2021)
|
124
|
168
|
0
|
Construction of New West Plant (Year 2025)
|
124
|
0
|
300
|
Construction in Existing West Plant (Year 2030)
|
124
|
0
|
400
|
Operational Phase (Year 2036)
|
240
|
0
|
0
|
Note: Population of this
Project is excluded in the QRA for biogas facilities but has been considered in
the remaining QRAs of this study.
Building Population
8.5.5
Population surveys were conducted in December 2020
by interviewing owners or security guards in those sites and Tai Po Industrial
Estate is occupied by industrial buildings and factories. In support of the
QRA, a number of industrial sites provided the actual manning data, which was
used directly in the QRA. From the received actual manning data, an average
industrial population density was also derived, based on which the number of
people for other industrial sites was estimated after factoring in the size of
plot and the scale of facility/ industrial building. The estimated average
density is 0.0045 people per square metre floor area
8.5.6
For other population, estimates were based on
information collected from Census 2021, the Planning Department (PlanD), and site survey (dated August 2020). The following
information and assumptions were adopted to estimate the population:
n Average
household size of 3.0 for residential population with the study area according
to the average of Tertiary Planning Unit (TPU) 7.2.6, 7.2.2 and 7.2.7 of 2021
Population Census [4];
n Based
on Projections of Population Distribution 2021-2029 [5], the average annual
growth for residential population in TPU 7.2.6 is found to be negative growth.
To be conservative, residential population was assumed to be constant. It may
be noted that the 1km CZ
of TPGPP covers primarily TPU 7.2.7 and, to a lesser extent, also covers some
parts of TPU 7.2.2 and 7.2.6. TPU 7.2.7 is fully developed industrial area and
any increase in population is strictly controlled by CCPHI CZ; therefore,
significant increase in population is not expected. Focusing on the surrounding
area of the proposed Project, TPU 7.2.6 is mainly high rise public housing area
(residential area) while TPU 7.2.2 is mainly vacant plots with low rise
buildings up to a few stories. It may be further noted that the published data
is provided only for combined TPU 7.2.2 and 7.2.7, of which TPU 7.2.7
represents the Tai Po industrial Estate which is the main area of concern, and
TPU 7.2.2 represents a greater area to the north of Ting Kok
Road covering several residential areas and vacant plots for future
development. A;
n Number
of students and teachers in kindergartens and schools obtained from the School
Profiles; and
n Observations
from site survey dated August 2020 with conservative judgement.
8.5.7
In general,
it is observed that most buildings in Tai Po Industrial Estate are low
to medium rises. The cloud dispersion height results from consequence analysis
were used to determine exposed population inside building for each study.
Further detail on this protection factor will be discussed in each assessment
as applicable.
Road Population
8.5.8
Annual
Average Daily Traffic (AADT) for road traffic data was acquired from the latest
Annual Traffic Census (ATC 2020) [8]. For some roads with no information on the
ATC, the road traffic data was estimated based on-site survey.
8.5.9
A vehicle speed of 50 km/hr
has been considered in the assessment. Although for main roads such as Ting Kok and Yuen Shin Road, vehicles can reach up to 70 km/hr, a lower vehicle speed of 50 km/hr
was conservatively assumed for estimating the population to account for
possible congestions and traffic jams.
8.5.10
Road population can be estimated using the
following equation:
Road population = No of vehicles per hr * No. of persons per vehicle * Length of Road within
Study Zone / Speed
8.5.11
The road population data from the ATC has been
further projected to the studied case year using the calculated average road
population growth rate which was found to be 2.6% per year. The detailed
calculation and tabulation of projected road population data, including the
population between day and night is provided in Appendix 8.2.
Time
Period and Occupancy
8.5.12 In order
to reflect the transient change of population, 4 time periods, namely weekday
day, weekday night, weekend day, and weekend night were considered.
Accordingly, the percentage of occupancy assumed for each population category
is presented in Table
8.9. It may
be noted that the occupancy and outdoor distribution assumed are consistent
with previous QRAs [8][9][10][11][12].
Table 8.9 Temporary
Change in Population
Category
|
Time
period
|
Weekday
Day
(Mon-Fri
0700-1900 hrs)
|
Weekday Night
(Mon-Fri 1900-0700 hrs)
|
Weekend
Day (Sat-Sun 0700-1900 hrs)
|
Weekend
Night (Sat-Sun 1900-0700 hrs)
|
Commercial
|
100%
|
10%
|
40%
|
5%
|
Industrial
|
100%
|
10%
|
40%
|
5%
|
Residential
|
25%
|
100%
|
70%
|
100%
|
Recreational
|
50%
|
5%
|
100%
|
5%
|
Car Park
|
100%
|
10%
|
50%
|
10%
|
School
|
100%
|
1%
|
100%
|
1%
|
Construction
|
100%
|
1%
|
100%
|
1%
|
Road*
|
69%
|
31%
|
69%
|
31%
|
Note:
*Day night distribution calculation for road population is provided in Appendix
8.2.
8.5.13
An indoor ratio of 95% was applied to the
population in residential, commercial buildings and in schools in line with the
typical assumption in Hong Kong [9].
Passengers in vehicles were considered to be 100% outdoors, although vehicles
may provide certain protection. Population in car park, the open leisure
spaces, and the construction sites were considered to be 100% outdoors.
8.6
QRA for Biogas Facilities
Proposed Biogas Facilities
8.6.1
Biogas is utilized for providing the heat needed
to maintain digester operating temperature and for providing heat to the paddle
dryers. In the event of an emergency or equipment outage, digester gas may be
flared. The purpose of gas storage is to provide greater flexibility to manage
the digester gas pressure. The type of storage assumed operates within the
operating pressure of the digesters and does not rely on any kind of pressure
boosting or compression. Gas storage is configured as a branch off of the main
gas pipeline and can be isolated if maintenance is required.
8.6.2
Gas treatment is required for removing hydrogen
sulfide and siloxane from the biogas prior to combustion. Gas pressure is
boosted to send first through dehumidification and then siloxane removal. The
pressure boosting is required to push the gas through dehumidification and
siloxane removal as well as to meet the downstream system operating
requirements.
8.6.3
The facility is designed to handle the total
biogas production rate of 82,000 m3/ day. Biogas will be processed
through the following equipment sequentially:
¡P Digester
¡P Hydrogen
Sulfide Treatment Media
¡P Pressure
Boosting (blowers)
¡P Dehumidification
¡P Siloxane
Removal
8.6.4
The
table below summarizes the key operating parameters of the biogas storage and
treatment facilities, based on process design information available:
Table 8.10 Operating
Conditions of Proposed Biogas Facilities
Equipment
|
No.
of item
(No.
of working + No. of standby)
|
Volume
(m3)
|
Pressure
|
Temperature
|
Digester
|
3 batteries (4
in each battery); overall 9+3
|
8958
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
Gas holders
|
4 (3+1)
|
3207
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
Hydrogen Sulfide
Treatment Media
|
5 (4+1)
|
48.3
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
Pressure
Boosting (blowers)
|
3
|
-
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
Dehumidification
|
2 trains (1+1)
|
75
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
Siloxane Removal
|
3 trains (2+1)
|
75
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
8.6.5
The preliminary layout of the biogas related
facilities of the Project is shown in Appendix 8.3.
Existing Biogas Facilities of TPSTW
8.6.6
There are two existing Biogas facilities on the
east and west side of the existing TPSTW. The table below summarizes the key
operating parameters of the existing biogas storage and treatment facilities.
Table 8.11 Operating
Conditions of Existing Biogas Facilities
Equipment
|
No.
of item
|
Volume
|
Pressure
|
Temperature
|
West Plant Digester
|
2
|
1,829 m3
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
West Plant Gas holders
|
1
|
850m3
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
East Plant Digester
|
3
|
2,771 m3
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
East Plant Gas holders
|
2
|
850m3
|
32 mbarg
|
35 degC
|
8.6.7
Note that under the Project, the existing biogas
system in the West Plant will be decommissioned in 2030 and the space will be
used to construct new facilities.
8.6.8
The existing biogas related facilities of TPSTW
are shown in Appendix 8.4.
The tentative construction plans, which illustrate the anticipated schedule for
demolishing existing facilities and commissioning new facilities at different
construction stages are also included in Appendix 8.4.
Biogas
8.6.9
Biogas is a colourless
flammable a combustible mixture of gases at atmospheric conditions that
comprises mainly methane (CH4) and CO2. Generally, biogas from
anaerobic digestion process has a methane content of 55% to 70% by volume. The
exact composition of biogas depends on the substance that is being decomposed.
If the material consists of mainly carbohydrates, such as glucose and other
simple sugars and high-molecular compounds (polymers) such as cellulose and
hemicellulose, the methane production is low. However, if the fat content is
high, the methane production is likely to be high. In general, the physical
properties of biogas are also similar to those of natural gas, except up to
2,000 ppm of H2S is anticipated and thus the biogas can also exhibit
some degree of toxicity.
8.6.10
A loss of containment can lead to jet fire since
the system is operated slightly above atmospheric pressure. The released gas,
if not ignited immediately, could form a flammable gas plume. The properties of
biogas from Anaerobic Digestion (AD) process are summarized in Table
8.12, based on a previous QRA
study for Biogas facilities.
Table 8.12 Composition and Properties of Biogas from Anaerobic Digestion
Process
Property
|
Biogas from
Anaerobic Digestion
|
Methane Content
|
55% - 70%
|
Carbon Dioxide Content
|
30% - 45%
|
Density
|
1.2 Kg/Nm3
|
Lower Caloric Value
|
23 MJ/Nm3
|
Flammability#
|
Extremely Flammable
|
Auto-Ignition
Temperature#
|
580¢XC
|
Flash Points#
|
-188¢XC
|
Melting Point#
|
-182.5¢XC
|
Boiling Point#
|
-161.4¢XC
|
Flammable Limits#
|
5% (Lower) ¡V 15% (Upper)
|
Vapour Density#
|
0.59 ¡V 0.72 (air = 1)
|
Remark: # Physical properties of biogas that are similar to natural gas
8.6.11
Given
that the flammability increases with increase of methane content, and the exact
composition of biogas varies with the substance that is
being decomposed, biogas was conservatively modelled as pure methane gas with
2,000 ppm of H2S in consequence analysis. It is highlighted that
biogas storage area is a fully open area with no major congestion, and thus the
risk of vapour cloud explosion (VCE) is considered to
be low(note that congestion and confinement are key conditions for VCE
formation). Therefore, all delayed ignition events were modelled as flash fire
in QRA.
Other Chemicals Stored Onsite
8.6.12
The
storage quantities of all chemicals stored or handled onsite within TPSTW are
listed in Table 8.13 and Table 8.14 with
storage location in Appendix 8.3.
These chemicals are not anticipated to present any major hazard which could
potentially impact offsite area.
Table
8.13 Storage Quantities of Dangerous Goods
Substance
|
Class
|
Usage
|
Estimated Storage Quantity
|
Thinners
|
Class 9
|
Plant operation
|
2,000L
|
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) @38% commercial
concentration
|
Class 8
|
Cleaning of primary filter
|
10,500L (10.5 m3)
|
Backwashing of ultrafiltration of
reclaimed water
|
5,600L (5.6 m3)
|
Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl)
@10% commercial concentration
|
Class 2
|
Cleaning of primary filter
|
10,500L (10.5m3)
|
Pre-chlorination of reclaimed water
|
28,000L (28 m3)
|
Cleaning of ultrafiltration of reclaimed
water
|
22,400L (22.4 m3)
|
Residual chlorine dosage
|
1,400L (14 m3)
|
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) @50% commercial
concentration
|
Class 8
|
Cleaning of ultrafiltration of reclaimed
water
|
4,200L (4.2 m3)
|
Table
8.14 Storage Quantities of Other
Chemicals
Substance
|
Usage
|
Estimated Storage Quantity
|
Sodium Bisulphite
(NaHSO3) @10% diluted concentration
|
Pre-chlorination of reclaimed water
|
2.7m3
|
Carbon
dosing (sugar)
|
Denitrification
|
16 tons
|
Ferric
chloride (FeCl3), diluted
|
Coagulation / anaerobic digester
sulphide suppression
|
526 m3
|
Polymer
|
Flocculation / centrifuge thickening and
pre-dewatering, or for hydraulic filter press
|
58 tons
|
Anti-scalant
|
Prevention of scaling and fouling at
water reuse facility
|
2.7m3
|
Hazardous Scenarios
Digester
Failure
8.6.13
Failure
of the digesters could be caused by undetected corrosion, fatigue material or
construction defect. Release of biogas could be from various parts of the
digesters as well as the associated piping and devices. Possible hazardous
outcomes include fireball, jet fire, flash fire and toxic release.
Gas
Holder Failure
8.6.14
Dry
seal (Wiggins) type biogas holders will be used for the proposed facility. A
dry seal (Wiggins) type gas holder is different from column guided water-sealed
gas holder that do not have a gas holder crown. A seal is installed between the
piston and the inside of the shell to maintain gas tightness inside the holder
and prevent rotation or side movement of the piston. A levelling system
consists of wire ropes and balance weights are equipped to prevent tilting of
the piston. The seal and the levelling system will be inspected regularly.
8.6.15
Failure
of the gas holders could be caused by undetected corrosion, fatigue, material
or construction defect. Release of biogas could be from various parts of the
gas holders or associated piping and devices. Possible hazardous outcomes
include fireball, jet fire, flash fire and toxic release.
Sulphur
Absorption Vessel Failure
8.6.16
The
absorbents used for removal of H2S in the sulphur
absorption vessels are neither flammable nor explosive that the major hazard
will be from the release of biogas. Failure of sulphur
absorption vessels could be caused by undetected corrosion, fatigue, material
or construction defect. Release of biogas could be from various parts of the process
vessels as well as associated piping and devices. Possible hazardous outcomes
include fireball, jet fire, flash fire and toxic release.
Aboveground
Inlet or Outlet Piping Failure
8.6.17
Piping
will be used to connect process vessels to the gas holder, compressor, and
further purification unit and Combined Heat and Power Generation System (CHP).
Failure along the on-site piping may be caused by undetected corrosion,
fatigue, material or construction defect, or associated with flange gasket /
valve leakage resulting in continuous gas release to the atmosphere. Failures
of gaskets and valve leak only tend to give relatively small scale leakage and
will not contribute to any off-site risk. Nonetheless, gasket and valve leak
failure were considered and included into pipework failure in this hazard
assessment with reference to previous similar study. Possible hazardous
outcomes from aboveground piping jet fire, flash fire and toxic release.
Construction
Activities
8.6.18
During
the construction phase of the Project, all major construction activities should
be arranged with either adequate setback or physical barrier from the existing
gas installations. Implementation of those major construction works and
movement of plants and vehicles would be controlled to have suitable setback
clearance, or physical barrier with an empty digester / gas holder from the
digesters / gas holders in operation. As such, no additional potential biogas
hazard during the construction phase was considered in the QRA.
Vehicle
Impact
8.6.19
Only
authorized vehicles will be permitted to enter the proposed TPSTW with
restriction of speed for vehicle movements in the site. Safety markings and
marked crash barriers will be provided to the above ground piping, digesters
and gas holders near the access road. Vehicle impact could cause leakage and
rupture to digesters and gas holders [39].
8.6.20
The
hazardous events considered are summarized in Table
8.15.
Table 8.15 Hazardous Systems Identified at Biogas Facilities within TPSTW
Hazardous Systems in TPSTW
|
Main Equipment
|
Hazardous Material*
|
Hazard Events
|
Digester
|
Vessel and Piping
|
Biogas with H2S
|
Fire ball, Jet fire, Flash fire, Toxic
|
Biogas Holder
|
Vessel and Piping
|
Biogas with H2S
|
Fire ball, Jet fire, Flash fire
|
H2S Removal
|
Vessel and Piping
|
Biogas
|
Fire Ball, Jet fire, Flash fire,
|
Booster
|
Compressor
|
Biogas
|
Fire Ball, Flash fire, Jet fire
|
Dehumidifier
|
Vessel, Heat Exchanger, and Piping
|
Biogas
|
Fire Ball, Flash fire, Jet fire
|
Siloxane Removal
|
Vessel and Piping
|
Biogas
|
Fire Ball, Flash fire, Jet fire
|
8.6.21
For each of the hazardous system, a range of leak sizes have been modelled to
represent the potential failure scenarios following previous QRA study [33]:
n Process
Equipment, Biogas Holders and Piping
¡P 25
mm hole
¡P Full
bore rupture of piping
¡P Catastrophic
failure of pressure vessel
Frequency
Analysis
Failure Data
8.6.22
With reference to the similar QRA study [33], the base equipment
failure frequencies applicable for the biogas facilities are summarized in Table
8.16.
Table 8.16 Failure Frequency Data
Component
|
Unit
|
Hole Size (mm)
|
Reference
|
25mm
|
Rupture
|
Vessel
|
Per vessel per year
|
1.00E-04
|
1.00E-05
|
RIVM [7]
|
Compressor
|
per compressor per year
|
5.00E-05
|
1.00E-05
|
RIVM [7]
|
Piping (per meter)
|
per m-year
|
5.00E-07
|
1.00E-07
|
RIVM [7]
|
Vehicle
Impact
8.6.23
In
addition to the base failure rate, the accident rate due to vehicle impact was
estimated based on statistical data for Vehicle/ Object Crash accident
involving medium and heavy goods vehicles in recent years. The overall numbers
of accidents involvements of Medium / Heavy Goods Vehicles (M/HGVs) [47] in Hong Kong are shown in Table 8.17. From 2006 to 2020, the overall high and
medium impact accident involvement rate per million vehicle kilometer is 0.16,
and therefore the vehicle crash frequency can be estimated as 1.6 x 10-7 per
vehicle kilometer per year. This frequency has been carried forward to derive
the failure frequency in biogas facilities, as detailed in the fault tree
analysis in Appendix
8.11.
Table 8.17 Accident Involvements of Medium / Heavy Goods Vehicles in Hong
Kong
Serious
and Fatal Vehicle Involvements of M/HGVs
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
Average
|
Involvement
rate: per million vehicle-km
|
0.86
|
0.82
|
0.8
|
0.76
|
0.83
|
0.91
|
0.89
|
0.87
|
0.93
|
0.86
|
0.96
|
0.94
|
0.90
|
0.95
|
0.91
|
0.88
|
Total
Involvements
|
1155
|
1081
|
1045
|
907
|
1031
|
1141
|
1105
|
1085
|
1125
|
1063
|
1167
|
1162
|
1083
|
1093
|
1008
|
1083
|
Fatal
Involvements
|
25
|
21
|
17
|
27
|
16
|
21
|
17
|
25
|
23
|
23
|
18
|
26
|
19
|
22
|
17
|
21
|
Serious
Injury Involvements
|
212
|
188
|
176
|
147
|
163
|
196
|
175
|
193
|
170
|
250
|
171
|
146
|
134
|
137
|
120
|
171.87
|
Fatal
Vehicle Involvements ratio
|
2.2%
|
1.9%
|
1.6%
|
3.0%
|
1.6%
|
1.8%
|
1.5%
|
2.3%
|
2.0%
|
2.2%
|
1.5%
|
2.2%
|
1.8%
|
2.0%
|
1.7%
|
2.0%
|
Serious
Injury Involvements ratio
|
18.4%
|
17.4%
|
16.8%
|
16.2%
|
15.8%
|
17.2%
|
15.8%
|
17.8%
|
15.1%
|
23.5%
|
14.7%
|
12.6%
|
12.4%
|
12.5%
|
11.9%
|
15.9%
|
High
Impact Accident Involvement rate per million vehicle km
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.01
|
0.02
|
0.01
|
0.02
|
0.01
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.01
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
Medium
Impact Accident Involvement Rate per million vehicle km
|
0.16
|
0.14
|
0.13
|
0.12
|
0.13
|
0.16
|
0.14
|
0.15
|
0.14
|
0.20
|
0.14
|
0.12
|
0.11
|
0.12
|
0.11
|
0.14
|
Projectile Risk from Linde HKO Site
8.6.24
There
are significant numbers of cylinders stored in Linde HKO site and cylinder
projectiles have potential to damage biogas holder leading to catastrophic
failure. Noted that biogas holder in West Plant and new biogas holder are
within 300m ¡V 468m range from the Linde HKO site. Biogas holder in East Plant
is outside the projectile impact range. The frequency calculation is included
in Appendix
8.10. The probability of projectile hitting each
biogas holder is found to be 9.5E-08/year, which is based on 3000 cylinders
assumed in the Linde HKO Site. Although other facilities (i.e. LPG storage in Apex
Print Limited and Zama Print Limited) may have a projectile risk, due to the
limited numbers of vessels as compared to 3000 cylinders in HKO, the projectile
impact is expected to be insignificant (i.e. below 1E-09/year). Therefore
projectile impact only considered risk from Linde HKO Site.
8.6.25 The
summary of event
frequencies used for biogas facility assessment along with the study case year
is presented in Table
8.18.
Table 8.18 Event Frequencies
Biogas
Concerned Facility
(Applicable
Year)
|
Equipment
|
Scenario
|
Failure
Rate
(per year)
|
Existing - West
(Applicable for 2025)
|
Digester
|
25mm leakage
|
2.68E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
1.37E-05
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
2.00E-05
|
Biogas Holder
|
25mm leakage
|
2.52E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
3.04E-05
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
1.01E-05
|
Existing - East
(Applicable for 2025, 2030, and
2036)
|
Digester
|
25mm leakage
|
3.81E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
1.62E-05
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
3.00E-05
|
Biogas Holder
|
25mm leakage
|
2.91E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
1.83E-05
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
2.00E-05
|
New - West
(Applicable for 2036)
|
Digester
|
25mm leakage
|
1.48E-03
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
8.61E-05
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
9.00E-05
|
Biogas Holder
|
25mm leakage
|
7.40E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
7.80E-05
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
3.04E-05
|
H2S Removal
|
25mm leakage
|
3.30E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
6.00E-05
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
3.00E-05
|
Booster
|
25mm leakage
|
1.00E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
2.00E-05
|
Dehumidifier
|
25mm leakage
|
1.24E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
4.80E-06
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
1.00E-05
|
Siloxane Removal
|
25mm leakage
|
4.21E-04
|
Full bore rupture of piping
|
4.20E-06
|
Catastrophic failure of pressure vessel
|
4.00E-05
|
8.6.26
Consequence
modelling has been performed using PHAST based on approach described in
Section 8.4 . It should be noted that both flammable and toxic (H2S)
effects were modelled in consequence analysis. The consequence analysis results
are presented in Appendix
8.8.
Risk
Summation
8.6.27
During
construction of the New West Plant from year 2025 to year 2029, the existing
biogas facilities in the West and East side of TPSTW would be in operation.
Demolition of existing facilities and redevelopment of new facilities in the
existing West Plant would occur from year 2029 to year 2033, and during this
period, only the existing biogas facilities on the East side of TPSTW would be
in operation. Operational Phase would start in year 2036, covering full
operation of new and existing facilities within the Project site.
8.6.28
The
individual risk contours for the various study cases are presented in Exhibit
8.7, Exhibit
8.8, and Exhibit
8.9.
8.6.29
A
salient finding is that the 1 x 10-5 per year contour is
highly localized within the immediate area around the plant equipment
for both the 2025 and 2030 cases. During operational phase in 2036, the
1 x 10-5 per year contour is found to be present but is well
contained within the TPSTW site. As such, it is concluded that the individual
risk criterion of HKRG has been met.
Exhibit 8.7 Individual Risk Contours ¡V Construction of New West Plant in
Proposed Expansion Site
Exhibit 8.8 Individual Risk Contours ¡V Construction in Existing West Plant
Exhibit 8.9 Individual Risk Contours ¡V Operational Phase
8.6.30
The
societal risk results have been expressed in the form of Frequency and
Fatalities (F-N) curves, overlaid on the societal risk criteria for comparison.
The FN curves for the three assessed Project phases are presented in Exhibit
8.10. It is observed that the harmful effects (e.g. fire and toxic
dispersion) as a result of biogas loss of containment are highly localized and
mostly contained within the Project premises. Therefore, the potential
fatalities reflected in the FN curves are all related to the Project
construction workers, who will be located inside the TPSTW. As such, no FN
curve has been generated (only 1 point at N =1 generated which corresponds to
potential pedestrian near the site boundary considering presence factor) for
existing risk in 2025 before construction and operational phase of the Project,
as offsite population is not envisaged to be impacted.
8.6.31
Since the FN curves for all studies cases fall
inside the acceptable region of the risk criteria, the societal risk associated
with the biogas facilities is considered to be acceptable.
8.6.32
The Potential Loss of Life (PLL) and the top
contributor scenarios are presented in Appendix 8.12.
Exhibit 8.10 F-N Curve ¡V
Biogas Facilities within the Project Site (Base Case)
Sensitivity Case for Concurrent Project
Construction
8.6.33
The FN
curve for the sensitivity case including the concurrent project population is
presented in the figure below. As can be seen, the FN curve has increased
compared to the base case. The FN curve for 2025 year case, is found to be in
the lower ALARP region due to the additional construction workers from other
concurrent projects. However, this is only temporary during the construction in
2025; the risk in 2030 during operational phase will be reduced to the
acceptable region following the completion of the construction work of the
projects.
8.6.34 It is noted that the total amount of the
onsite biogas storage is significant, and may potentially exceed the threshold
quantities as specified in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
(HKPSG) Chapter 12 for flammable substance [1], i.e. 15 tonnes
for Gas or any mixture of gases which is flammable in air and is held in the
installation as a gas. Should the threshold quantity be exceeded, the proposed
Biogas facilities may be regarded as a Potentially Hazardous Installation (PHI)
requiring further application for the related permit.
8.6.35 Flammable gas and H2S detectors
with alarms shall be provided in the biogas area to alert people to initiate
the appropriate emergency actions including suspension of construction work and
machine shutdown which may act as ignition sources when there is leak
detection.
8.6.36 Emergency response plan with details of
on-site emergency procedures shall be developed for both construction phase and
operational phase of the Project to cover the potential accident due to biogas
releases. This plan should be extended to cover the concurrent construction
project on site, and regular drills should also be performed.
8.6.37 Only authorized vehicles shall be permitted
to enter the proposed TPSTW with restriction of speed for vehicle movements in
the site. Safety markings and marked crash barriers should be provided to the
above ground piping, digesters and gas holders near the access road.
8.6.38 Prior to the Project construction, suitable
concurrent construction and operations risk and safety assessment shall be
carried out to identify the potential hazards arising from the simultaneous
Project construction and operation of biogas facilities onsite. Suitable risk
mitigation measure shall be implemented for any significant risk activity
identified. For examples, all major construction activities should be arranged
with either adequate setback or physical barrier from the existing gas
installations; implementation of major construction works and movement of
plants and vehicles would be stringently controlled to have suitable setback
clearance, or physical barrier with an empty digester / gas holder from the
digesters / gas holders in operation. This hazard control assessment should be
extended to cover the concurrent construction project on site.
Exhibit 8.11 F-N Curve ¡V
Biogas Facilities within the Project Site (Sensitivity Case for Concurrent
Project)
8.7
QRA for Tai Po Gas Production
Plant
Introduction
8.7.1
Tai Po
Gas Production Plant (TPGPP) is in the Tai Po Industrial Estate, covering
an area of 11.71 hectares. TPGPP is classified as a Potentially Hazardous
Installation (PHI), and a Consultation Zone (CZ) has been defined around the
site extending 1000m from centre of TPGPP as
presented in Exhibit
8.12.
The proposed Project is located within the CZ and may result in an
increase in the number of persons working within the CZ. Therefore, such
development plans are also required to be submitted to the Co-ordinating
Committee on Land-use Planning and Control relating to Potentially Hazardous
Installations (CCPHI) for consideration.
Exhibit 8.12 TPGPP and its CZ
8.7.2
The Tai
Po Gas Production Plant and the Ma Tau Kok Gas Works
North Plant (MTKGWNP). TPGPP is responsible for producing over 95% of the
entire requirement for Hong Kong, while the remaining 5% is produced at MTKGWNP
which acts to satisfy demand during peak consumption periods [13]. Exhibit 8.13 presents the layout of TPGPP inclusive of
Phase I and II Production trains, the Naphtha Storage area, and the Natural Gas
Receiving Station [14], which are the main production facilities
of the plant.
Exhibit 8.13 Layout of TPGPP
Naphtha Storage Tanks
8.7.3
The
feedstock for town gas production is naphtha, which is stored in 3 naphtha
storage tanks. As per the Hong Kong PHI register [15], the TPGPP contains 80,280 tonnes of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), which is
primarily Naphtha. This is equivalent to a total of about 120,000 m3
in 3 storage tanks. The naphtha storage tanks are provided with a bund, which
has been designed to contain any spillage or release of naphtha from escaping
into the environment if the storage tanks leak. The bund is sized to hold 110%
of the volume of one tank as per typical design standard for hydrocarbon
storage tanks.
Gas Production Trains
8.7.4
Town
gas is produced in eight production trains using the Catalytic Rich Gas (CRG)
Process, which is a continuous, high-pressure process. A schematic of the process is provided in Exhibit
8.14[18]. Also, based on literature in the public domain [19], a functional description of each main
system in the production train is provided as below:
n Naphtha
from Storage Tanks is fed through the Naphtha Pre-heated and then to the
Naphtha Vaporizer, where it is mixed with hydrogenation gas. Following the
mixing, it is superheated to 355-380 degC in the
Naphtha Vaporizer.
n The
hot vapor then passed to the Sulphur Hydrogenator where organic sulphur is converted to H2S by reacting with hydrogen over
a nickel/molybdenum catalyst.
n The
H2S and Naphtha is fed into an H2S Absorber where the H2S is absorbed by zinc
oxide.
n The
Naphtha vapor and hydrogenation gas leaving the Absorber are mixed with steam
to be further superheated in the Catalytic Rich Gas Heater of 450-500 degC before being passed to the Rich Gas Reactor. In the
reactor, the naphtha vapor and steam react over high nickel CRG-F catalyst to
produce, after multiple intermediate reactors, a mixture of CH4, CO2, CO and
H2. The reaction is slightly exothermic and the hot rich gas (60-65%) leaves
the reactor at a temperature of 517-548 degC.
n In
order to produce town gas meeting the required consumer specification, part of
the rich gas coming out of the CRG Reactor is further reacted at high
temperature with additional steam in the Reformer Furnace. The resulting lean
gas is mixed with the gas that bypassed the Reformer Furnace and cooled in the
mixed gas.
n The
CO2 content of the mixed gas also needs to be reduced. Hence a portion of the
mixed gas is passed through a CO2 Absorber. In the Absorber Potassium carbonate
solution reacts with the CO2 in the gas forming potassium bicarbonate, which is
regenerated in the Carbonate Regenerator, using waste heat from the carbonate
Reboiler.
n Gas
leaving the CO2 absorber is cooled and knocked out in a KO Drum and then joins
the converted gas which bypassed the CO2 Absorber. The product gas is dried and
sent for export into a common town gas export header.
Exhibit 8.14 CRG Process Flow Diagram [18]
8.7.5
Town
gas¡¦s production rate at each month varies significantly depending on the
consumption. The Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics [17] provided the monthly town gas consumption
of Hong Kong from August 2019 to August 2021 in Terajoules (TJ). Using this
data, the average consumption rate of town gas in Hong Kong can be calculated
based on calorific value of town gas of 17.27 MJ/m3 [18]. Assuming that 95% of town gas in Hong Kong
is produced at TPGPP [13], the average production rate at TPGPP has
been estimated to be 173,000 m3/hr.
Hazard Identification
8.7.6
The
main hazardous materials in TPGPP include:
n Naphtha
n Natural
Gas
n Process
Gas
n Product
Town Gas
n Landfill
Gas
n Diesel
n Other
Dangerous Goods
8.7.7
Naphtha
is a colorless flammable hydrocarbon liquid in normal conditions. It is a mixture of various hydrocarbons. For this study,
naphtha has been modelled as 33 wt% n-hexane, 50 wt% n-pentane and 17 wt%
cyclohexane. The properties of Naphtha [16] are presented in Table
8.19. The hazard events applicable to Naphtha
loss of containment include pool fire and flash fire.
Table 8.19 Properties of Naphtha
Property
|
Details
|
Flammability
|
Flammable
|
Auto-ignition
Temperature
|
>220 degC
|
Flash Points
|
-20 degC
|
Lower Flammability Limit
|
1.1%
|
Upper Flammability Limit
|
5.9%
|
Specific Gravity
|
0.67 (water = 1)
|
Vapor Pressure
|
0.6 kPa (@ 20degC)
|
Vapor Density
|
4 (air = 1)
|
8.7.8
Natural
Gas is essentially methane in composition, and is a relatively clean fuel.
Natural Gas was introduced as feedstock to the TPGPP as feedstock, in addition
to naphtha to produce town gas.
8.7.9
The
intermediate process gases which are involved in the town gas production
process at TPGPP are Hydrogenation Gas, Rich Gas coming out of the Rich Gas
Reactor Outlet, Reformed Gas coming out of the Reformer outlet, Mixed Gas upon
mixing of Reformed Gas and Rich Gas, Convert Gas coming out of the CO
converter. As such, some of the equipment involves processing of gas at very
high temperature. So, process gases are all considered to be highly flammable
due to composition of methane and hydrogen. For equipment containing
significant process gas inventory, such as reactor and process vessels,
catastrophic rupture.
8.7.10
The
final product of the process at TPGPP is town gas. TPGPP produces town gas
which meets a required consumer specification. It is a colorless and odorless
gas which is buoyant under ambient conditions. In the town gas production
train, the gas coming out of the CO2 Absorber is mixed with the converted gas which bypassed the CO2
Absorber. This mixed gas is odorized to make the final product town gas. The
gas is odorized to for easy detection upon leakage.
Table 8.20 Composition
of Town Gas [18]
Composition
|
Mol %
|
CO2
|
18.5
|
CO
|
2.6
|
H2
|
48
|
CH4
|
30.6
|
Average Molecular Weight
|
14.8
|
Table 8.21 Physical
Properties of Town Gas [18]
Property
|
Details
|
Calorific Value
|
17.27 MJ/m3
|
Specific Gravity
|
0.52
|
Wobbe Index
|
24
|
Weaver Flame Speed
|
35
|
8.7.11
Landfill
Gas is imported from NENT and Shuen Wan Landfill Site
to TPGPP as fuel gas for Reformer Furnaces. It presents similar fire hazards as
with natural gas and process area above. For modelling purpose, Landfill Gas is
assumed to be 100% methane conservatively
8.7.12
Diesel
is a mixture of hydrocarbons, with an average chemical formula in the form of
C12H23, ranging approximately from C10H20 to C15H28. Diesel is likely used as a
backup fuel in TPGPP. It is a combustible liquid and is not readily ignitable
unless it comes in contact with strong ignition sources such as open flames,
sparks and heat. The major hazard associated with diesel leakage is pool fire
upon ignition.
8.7.13
It is
expected that other chemicals are also stored on site to support the daily
operation of the plant. These chemicals may include gas cylinders for welding,
refrigerants, acid/ base, paints, etc. However, it is expected that all DGs are
storage in small quality and in dedicated storage area with adequate leak
detection and spill containment/ clean up facilities. As such, it is not expected
to contribute significantly towards offsite risk.
Hazardous Scenarios
8.7.14
In the
event of a release of natural gas, towngas, and
process gas, the hazard events that could occur include jet fire, flash fire,
and VCE. As the process train area is congested with various equipment and
vessels, VCE was considered to be credible. The hazard events applicable to Naphtha
loss of containment include pool fire and flash fire; VCE was not considered in
naphtha storage area, as the area has no significant congestion and confinement
which are typical conditions required for VCE to occur.
8.7.15
Based
on the review above, the hazardous systems identified in Table
8.22 have been carried on for further
assessment. Details of
facility systems are documented in a separate data and methodology report [58].
Table 8.22 Hazardous Systems Identified at TPGPP
Hazardous
Systems in TPGPP
|
Main
Equipment
|
Hazardous
Material*
|
Hazard
Events
|
Naphtha
Importing and Tank Farm
|
Piping
and Large storage tanks
|
Naphtha
(L)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire
|
Naphtha
Pumping and Distribution Headers to PTs
|
Piping,
pumps
|
Naphtha
(L)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire
|
Natural
Gas Receiving Station and Distribution Headers to PTs
|
Piping,
and pumps
|
Natural
gas (G)
|
Flash
Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion
|
Phase I
Production Units - PT1
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Phase I
Production Units ¡V PT2
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Phase I
Production Units ¡V PT3
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Phase I
Production Units ¡V PT4
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool fire,
Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Phase II
Production Units ¡V PT5
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Phase II
Production Units ¡V PT6
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Phase II
Production Units ¡V PT7
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Phase II
Production Units ¡V PT8
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
Pool
fire, Flash Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion, fireball
|
Towngas Export
and Others
|
Piping
|
Town gas
(G), Landfill Gas (G)
|
Flash
Fire, Jet Fire, Vapor Cloud Explosion
|
*Note: G is gas phase, and L is liquid phase
8.7.16
For each of the hazardous system, a range of leak
sizes have been modelled to represent the potential failure scenarios, as
summarized below based on failure data [20][21]:
n Process
Equipment and Piping
10 mm hole
25 mm hole
75 mm hole
Full bore
rupture of piping
Instantaneous
release of pressure vessel
n Naphtha
Storage Tanks
300 mm hole
1000 mm hole
Instantaneous
failure of tank
8.7.17
For
Naphtha storage area, the presence of the bund acts as an important safeguard against
the spread of Naphtha to other process area and offsite area in the case of a
release from the tanks or piping. Despite the bund being designed to
handle 110% of one storage tank content, bund overfilling may occur in the case
of 2 or more tanks failing simultaneously. In addition, bund overtopping can
also result due to instantaneous release from a tank unzipping failure (i.e.
incident capable of directly resulting in rapid loss of the tank wall), such
that the released liquid can vault an inclined side or pile up rapidly at the
face of a bund wall and then flow over the top or a major part of it.
Frequency Analysis
8.7.18
The equipment failure frequencies are taken from
published international failure database, such as UK HSE [20] and OGP database [21], applicable for process
facilities as summarized below:
Table 8.23 Failure
Frequency Data for Tank
Component
|
Unit
|
Hole Size (mm)
|
Reference
|
300 mm
|
1000 mm
|
Cat Rupture
|
Single Wall Atmospheric
Vessel >12000m3
|
Per vessel per year
|
2.50E-03
|
1.00E-04
|
5.00E-06
|
UK HSE
|
Table 8.24 Failure
Frequency Data for Equipment
Component
|
Unit
|
Hole Size (mm)
|
Reference
|
10 mm
|
25 mm
|
75 mm
|
Line
Rupture
|
Cat Rupture
|
Pipework (0 - 49mm)
|
per m-year
|
1.10E-05
|
5.00E-06
|
-
|
1.00E-06
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Pipework (50 - 149mm)
|
per m-year
|
3.00E-06
|
1.00E-06
|
-
|
5.00E-07
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Pipework (150 - 299mm)
|
per m-year
|
2.00E-06
|
7.00E-07
|
4.00E-07
|
2.00E-07
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Pipework (300 - 499mm)
|
per m-year
|
1.80E-06
|
5.00E-07
|
2.00E-07
|
7.00E-08
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Pipework (500 - 1000mm)
|
per m-year
|
1.70E-06
|
4.00E-07
|
1.00E-07
|
4.00E-08
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Manual Valve
|
per item per year
|
2.00E-04
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Actuated Valve
|
per item per year
|
2.00E-04
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Flange (smaller than 2")
|
per item per year
|
5.00E-06
|
5.00E-06
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Flange (2" and above)
|
per item per year
|
5.00E-06
|
-
|
5.00E-06
|
-
|
-
|
UK HSE
|
Pressure Vessel
|
per item per year
|
5.00E-05
|
5.00E-06
|
5.00E-06
|
-
|
4.00E-06
|
UK HSE
|
General Reactors
|
per item per year
|
5.00E-05
|
5.00E-06
|
5.00E-06
|
-
|
1.00E-05
|
UK HSE
|
Single Seal Pump
|
per item per year
|
5.00E-04
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3.00E-05
|
UK HSE
|
Centrifugal Compressor
|
per item per year
|
7.20E-03
|
4.93E-03
|
1.43E-04
|
-
|
2.90E-06
|
UK HSE
|
Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Shell Side
(50<d<150mm)
|
per item per year
|
3.62E-03
|
5.36E-04
|
-
|
4.52E-04
|
-
|
OGP
|
Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Shell Side d>150mm)
|
per item per year
|
3.62E-03
|
5.36E-04
|
2.10E-04
|
2.42E-04
|
-
|
OGP
|
Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Tube Side
(50<d<150mm)
|
per item per year
|
2.47E-03
|
3.66E-04
|
-
|
2.77E-04
|
-
|
OGP
|
Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger, Tube Side d>150mm)
|
per item per year
|
2.47E-03
|
3.66E-04
|
1.28E-04
|
1.53E-04
|
-
|
OGP
|
Pig Launcher and Pig
Receiver (d > 150 mm)*
|
per item per year
|
1.45E-0
|
2.04E-08
|
8.92E-09
|
-
|
1.76E-08
|
OGP
|
*Note: Assume Pigging frequency is once per 10
years and 3 hours each time
8.7.19
Using
the numbers provided in the tables above, the failure frequencies related to
Tai Po Gas Production Plant assessment have been calculated as
documented in methodology report [58]. The failure frequency calculation
associated with Naphtha storage tanks such as simultaneous catastrophic rupture
of tanks, bund overfilling and bund overtopping scenarios is provided in Appendix
8.9.
8.7.20
It is
to be noted that the naphtha storage area, i.e. bund area, is provided with
fire suppression system. In the event of a naphtha release, it will be
contained in the bund where fire / vapour suppression
agent will be applied. The agent will cover the surface and blanket the
hydrocarbon pool, and thereby prevent air (i.e. oxygen) coming in contact with
the hydrocarbon vapours. It is noted that TPGPP implements strict
work rules and procedures to control various high-risk operations, with robust
backup from automatic alarms and safety interlocks. A high degree of emergency
response preparedness is achieved by a wide range of fire-fighting facilities,
well trained response teams and frequent emergency drills. Therefore, the fire
suppression system was assumed to have a probability of failure on demand of
0.1.
8.7.21
In
addition an operational factor of 0.75 has been considered for the production
trains to reflect the operation [58].
8.7.22
Table 8.25 presents the total frequencies inclusive of
frequencies for leak and rupture, for the sections considered in the study.
Table 8.25 Failure frequency Estimated for Hazardous Sections
Hazardous Systems in TPGPP
|
Main Equipment
|
Hazardous Material*
|
Failure Frequency per year
|
Naphtha Importing and Tank Farm
|
Piping
and Large storage tanks
|
Naphtha
(L)
|
1.20E-03
|
Naphtha Pumping and Distribution Headers to PTs
|
Piping,
pumps
|
Naphtha
(L)
|
5.30E-03
|
Natural Gas Receiving Station and Distribution
Headers to PTs
|
Piping,
and pumps
|
Natural
gas (G)
|
9.30E-04
|
Phase I Production Units - PT1
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02 Note1
|
Phase I Production Units ¡V PT2
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02
|
Phase I Production Units ¡V PT3
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02
|
Phase I Production Units ¡V PT4
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02
|
Phase II Production Units ¡V PT5
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02
|
Phase II Production Units ¡V PT6
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02
|
Phase II Production Units ¡V PT7
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02
|
Phase II Production Units ¡V PT8
|
Piping,
pressure vessel, pumps. heat exchangers
|
Naphtha
(L), process gas (G) and town gas (G)
|
3.90E-02
|
Towngas Export and Others
|
Piping
|
Town
gas (G), Landfill Gas (G)
|
1.40E-02
|
Note 1: The
frequency of the entire Production train is cumulative of the different
sections considered in the train based on confidential process information
provided by HKGC [26]. As TPGPP has multiple production
trains, the respective frequency for the train is repeated for the total number
of production trains. Detail of data are provided in [58].
Consequence Analysis
8.7.23
It is typical in QRA to consider that the people
at elevated locations are not subject to fire hazards, such as flash fire and
jet fire, for which the hazardous zones usually do not extend to higher floors.
Such height protection factor for building population will be based on the
consequence result finding with an assumption that each floor is 3m high [9].
8.7.24
From
consequence analysis results, it is found that the maximum cloud height as a
result of leak scenario for all events, except naphtha storage tank, is around
6 m while full bore rupture of piping and catastrophic rupture to pressure
vessel and tank can lead to around 30 m high gas cloud. Therefore, it is
reasonable to assume that people located at above 6 m or 2 storey
are not exposed to the hazards associated with leak scenarios. As for
catastrophic rupture scenarios, no such height protection was assumed and the
entire population of buildings was used in risk calculations.
8.7.25
In the case of leak of naphtha storage tank, the
effects of bund containment has been modelled in analyzing the extent of naphtha
pool spread as well as the flammable vapour
evaporating from liquid pool. Since the bund is fully sized for 100% of the
storage tank capacity, the naphtha liquid pool following a tank leakage will be
contained within the bunded area. Therefore, bunded pool fire has been modelled
for leak in case of immediate ignition. Further, as the bund has a 3 m wall,
the vapour cloud with a height below this level was
assumed to be confined within the bund in the case of delayed ignition
resulting in flammable gas dispersion.
Risk Summation
Individual Risk Contours
8.7.26
The
individual risk contours for the various study cases are presented in Exhibit
8.15. It can be seen that the 1E-05 per year
risk contour extends slightly from the site boundary in the north, west, and
south side. However, it is important to note that the individual risk results
reflect the existing level of risk, irrespective of the existence of the
proposed Project. Nevertheless, considering the expected
presence level of the affected features within the 1E-5 per year (industrial
facilities), the actual risk exposed would be in range of 4.6E-06 per year,
assuming a presence factor of 0.46, which reflects the nature of facilities
based on Table 8.9 as well as the applicable protection factor of 0.1 as
noted in Section 8.4.19. It is also clear that the proposed Project area is exposed to an
individual risk level of lower than 1E-06 per year.
Exhibit 8.15 Individual Risk Contours ¡V Tai Po Gas Production Plant
Societal
Risk
8.7.27
From
the FN curve results, as shown in the figure below, it can be deduced that the
increase in risk due to the proposed Project is negligible, as the FN curves
for all project construction and operational cases appear to be largely the
same as the existing situation (i.e. year 2025 case). It is worth mentioning
that the FN curve for existing situation has a higher N value than some of the
construction and operational cases in the region between 1E-08 and 1E-09 per
year. This is because the proposed Project expansion area is presently occupied
by about 168 people as reflected in the existing risk results, but as the site
is returned for Project development, these occupants will no longer be present
in the project construction and operational phases.
8.7.28
The FN
curve in the ALARP region is deemed to be the existing situation, irrespective
of the proposed Project. It is worth noting that the FN assessment produced is
anticipated to be conservative, since much of information relating to
engineering and safety features in place in the TPGPP has not been made
available for this QRA due to confidentiality reasons. As such, a separate
mitigated case is also presented for reference to approximate the mitigated
risk due to the effects of the expected safety features and protection. Risk
reduction factor of 0.5 is used to address the following aspects:
Plant Emergency Actions - Leak Detection, Automatic Isolation and
Evacuation
8.7.29
It is
typical for fuel or flammable gas processing facilities like TPGPP to install
sophisticated leak detection and automatic safety systems, for instance, flame
and flammable detectors should be placed at strategic plant locations whereby
any leak and fire detection will trigger automatic emergency plant actions such
as facility shutdown, system isolation and blowdown of inventory. The time
required to activate these measures can be as short as 1 minute following a
leak [57]. In addition, no allowance has been made in the QRA for evacuation
even though the surrounding areas are denoted as CZ where coordinated emergency
communication and response is expected to be in place.
Assumptions in relation to Naphtha and
Process Train Systems
8.7.30
Towngas is produced by dual feedstock of Naphtha
and Natural Gas (NG) in TPGPP. Not only NG is regarded as a cleaner feedstock
than Naphtha, but it is also buoyant gas with a strong tendency to disperse and
dissipate in case of a release as opposed to Naphtha, which will form a
flammable liquid pool upon released with subsequent flammable vapours accumulating and persisting above the pool at near
ground level. In the absence of Naphtha storage operational data, the QRA
assumed all three large naphtha storage tanks are full for 100% of the time. In
actual operations, the storage quantities will be lower than this level. It is
also anticipated that the use of the cleaner Natural Gas will increase (i.e. naphtha
will decrease) in future for more environmentally friendly Towngas
production. Besides, it is typical that fire suppression foam will be provided
for naphtha systems; the foam can provide a varying degree of flammable vapour suppression of naphtha pool, thus lowering the
flammable effect zones. However, such consequence reduction effects were not
modelled in the QRA , as it is
specific to the foam type and system design.
8.7.31
In
relation to the process trains, process conditions were estimated based on
literatures available as well as limited information provided HKCG. The data
has been approximated in such a way that it will tend to give conservative
estimates in risk results [58].
Past Safety Records and Safety Management
System of TPGPP
8.7.32
TPGPP
Phase 1 has been in operation since 1986 and Phase 2 expansion was completed in
1992, so Phase 1 has been in operation for 36 years while Phase 2 has been for
30 years. During TPGPP has started operations, there is no recorded major loss
of containment scenarios that leads to injury or fatality for both onsite
operators and offsite public. Based on the frequency analysis performed, apart
from piping, there are more than 5,000 components (accounting for vessels,
pumps, flanges, valves, etc.) in the overall TPGPP. With operating year of 30
to 36 years, the overall operating experience is in the range of 150,000
component-year.
8.7.33 With
statistical techniques, it is
possible to estimate the frequency of events related to systems where ¡¥zero
fatal accident¡¦ have occurred. It is assumed that the accident obeys a Poisson
distribution in the time interval while the intervals between the events follow
an exponential distribution. The Poisson Distribution equation can be written
as:
where,
x is a discrete random variable;
p(x) is the probability function of x; and
l is a positive constant
8.7.34 In the
case of ¡¥zero fatal accident¡¦ where x = 0, the equation will be simplified to
only p(x) = e-l. For ¡¥zero fatal accident¡¦, the failure rates associated with
various confidence levels can then be calculated. Starting with 90% confidence
level in the calculation, the 90% probability of getting ¡¥zero fatal accident¡¦
would be equal to l90% = ln (1/0.1) = 2.3.
8.7.35 Applying
the existing operating experience of 150,000 component-year, the ¡¥zero fatal
accident¡¦ at 90% confidence level would then be 2.3/150,000 = 1.53 x 10-5
per year. Given that the IR contour result predicted individual risk of more
than 1 x 10-4 per year in TPGPP, it can be concluded with 90%
confidence that currently assessed IR result based on industrial average
statistics is on the conservative side.
8.7.36 It is
noteworthy TPGPP has maintained a high standard of operations and safety which will
reduce the chance of accident. For example, it is common for operating plants
to implement Risk Based Inspection (RBI) programme, which is a systematic
risk-based approach identifying the main mechanical damage mechanisms and their
frequencies of occurrence for aspects such as thickness thinning, stress
corrosion cracking and corrosion under insulation; the programme will assist in
defining and optimising inspection method and interval for safety critical
systems and equipment, thus lowering the risk of release and justifying a
better safety performance over the industrial average figures. With a
demonstrated RBI and / or plant Safety Regime, the effects of risk mitigation
can also be quantified and incorporated into QRA; however, this has not been performed
in this study in the absence of related information.
8.7.37
The Potential Loss of Life (PLL) and the top
contributor scenarios are presented in Appendix 8.12.
Exhibit 8.16 F-N Curve ¡V Tai Po Gas Production Plant
Sensitivity Case for Concurrent Project
Construction
8.7.38
The FN
curves for the sensitivity case including the concurrent project population is
presented in Exhibit 8.17. As can be seen from the results, no
significant change in the FN curves is observed which means the concurrent
projects construction has no significant impact to the overall risk.
Mitigation
Measures
8.7.39
Since
TPGPP is an existing plant in operation for more than 20 years without any
major incident, it is not feasible/practical to introduce additional safety
measures inside the facility. However, to achieve ALARP, it is recommended to
develop a joint emergency response plan between the building management team of
development, HKCG, FSD and TPSTW in case of emergency in the TPGPP. It is of
particular importance during construction phase of TPSTW due to significant
increase in population contributed by construction workers. The joint emergency
response plan should detail the communication protocol between TPGPP and emergency
responders as well as between TPGPP and TPSTW (if required) and also review if
drill is required periodically.
Exhibit 8.17 F-N Curve ¡V Tai Po Gas Production Plant (Sensitivity Case for
Concurrent Project)
8.8
QRA for Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG) Storage Facilities
Introduction
8.8.1
Two LPG storage facilities are identified to be
in the vicinity of the Project located at Apex Print Limited and Zama
Industries Limited. While Apex
Print Limited is located at the south of the TPSTW, Zama Industries Limited is
located at the south east of the TPSTW. The storage facilities involve
underground storage of LPG and vaporizer facility.
8.8.2
The location of LPG storage and vaporizer at
Apex Print Limited and Zama Print Limited are provided in Exhibit
8.18, Exhibit
8.19, and Exhibit
8.20. Table
8.26 presents the information
of LPG storage tanker in Apex Print Limited and Zama Print Limited.
Table 8.26 Information
of LPG storage tank in Apex Print Limited and Zama Print Limited
Information
|
Details
|
Number of LPG underground storage tank in each site
|
2
|
The volume of each LPG storage tank in ZAMA site
|
11.5 kL
|
The volume of each LPG storage tank in Apex site
|
5 tons
|
The frequency of LPG tanker visit for LPG storage re-filling to each
site
|
Once every 3 days*
|
* Based on collected facility information, LPG
tanker visit is expected approximately every 4- 10 days. To allow for future
increase in consumption, a conservative visiting frequency of every 3 days was
assumed in the QRA.
Exhibit 8.18 Location of LPG
Storage and Vaporizer at Apex Print Limited
Exhibit 8.19 Plot Plan of LPG Storage and Vaporizer at Zama Print Limited
Exhibit 8.20 Location of LPG Storage vessel at Zama Print Limited
Hazard Identification
8.8.3
From historical review, accidents related to LPG storage
facility involved uncontrolled release of LPG from road tanker, filling
connection incidents, damaged pipe, etc. In particular, Boiling Liquid
Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE) has been identified as a major risk for LPG
road tanker in case of an external fire.
8.8.4
LPG is a mixture of propane and butane with
composition of 30:70 by weight. Due to its mass which is heavier than the
air, LPG tends to stay closer to the ground in case of a leak. Table
8.27
summarizes the physical properties of LPG.
Table 8.27 Physical Properties of LPG
Parameter
|
Value
|
Composition (propane : butane)
|
30:70 (by weight)
|
Molecular Weight (average)
|
54.5
|
Liquid Density @25oC
|
545.8 kg/m3
|
Normal Boiling Point
|
-23.7oC
|
Lower Flammability Limit
|
16488 ppm
|
Upper Flammability Limit
|
91743 ppm
|
8.8.5
LPG release could lead to these following hazardous
events:
n Jet
fire
n Flash
fire
n Vapour Cloud Explosion (VCE)
n Fireball
n BLEVE
Hazardous Scenarios
8.8.6
The main hazard associated with an LPG facility is
fire or explosion upon ignition of an uncontrolled release of LPG. Another main
hazard is Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE) of road tanker due to escalation of a fire event
that engulfs the road tanker. Hose connection or disconnection errors in
addition to tanker drive away during unloading from tanker to vessel is also
considered as a hazard that can lead to leaks which eventually become fire or
explosion upon ignition.
8.8.7
The
following events could lead to an LPG release [27]:
n Spontaneous
and partial failure of pressurized LPG equipment
Storage
vessel failure
Road tanker
failure
Pipework
failure
Hose failure
n Loading
failures:
Hose failure
Connection /
disconnection error
Tanker drive
away error
Tanker
impact
Loading
pipework overpressurisation
Storage tank
overfilling or overpressurisation
8.8.8
In
line with previous similar QRA [27], the failure scenarios considered
in this QRA are summarised in the following table.
Table 8.28 Hazardous Scenarios
Equipment Description
|
Failure Type
|
Hole size
|
Hazard Events
|
LPG Storage Vessel
|
Cold catastrophic failure
|
Catastrophic Rupture
|
Fireball, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Cold partial failure
|
1¡¨ Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Flexible Hose
|
Guillotine failure
|
Full Bore Rupture
|
Fireball, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Partial failure
|
1¡¨ Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Filling Line to Storage Vessel
|
Guillotine failure
|
Full Bore Rupture
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Partial failure
|
1¡¨ Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Line from Storage Vessel to Vaporizer
|
Guillotine failure
|
Full Bore Rupture
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Partial failure
|
1¡¨ Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Vaporizer
|
Guillotine failure
|
Full Bore Rupture
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
LPG Road Tanker (Unloading)
|
Cold catastrophic failure
|
Catastrophic Rupture
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Cold partial failure
|
1¡¨ Liquid Leak
|
Fireball, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
2¡¨ Liquid Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
LPG Road Tanker (Transit)
|
Cold catastrophic failure
|
Catastrophic Rupture
|
Fireball, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
Cold partial failure
|
2¡¨ Liquid Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
2¡¨ Vapor Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
1¡¨ Liquid Leak
|
Jet Fire, Flash Fire, Explosion
|
BLEVE
|
BLEVE
|
BLEVE
|
Frequency Analysis
8.8.9
In line with the previous QRAs [27][28][29], Fault
Tree Analysis (FTA)
was carried out to quantify the various possibilities of event combinations as
well as the typical safety systems in place, such as operator intervention,
check valves, and excess flow valves. The detailed FTA is presented in Appendix 8.11 , which
was primarily based on the derivation from the Ap Lei Chau Depot QRA[27]. Two
types of failure scenarios for LPG road tankers were considered in the
analysis: Unloading case and Transit case. The unloading case relates to the
failure of road tanker during unloading operations of LPG when tanker is
stationary, for which the analysis has referenced the deviation and FTA
performed in Kai Tak Development QRA [28]. While,
the transit scenario addresses the potential accidents during LPG road tanker
transport inside the facility premises, for which the analysis was performed
based on the SEKD[11].
8.8.10 The summary of base
event frequencies used in this QRA report is presented in Table
8.29.
Table 8.29 Event Frequencies
No.
|
Initiating
Event Description
|
Failure
Rate (per year)
|
1
|
Cold catastrophic failure of
LPG Vessel
|
3.65E-07
|
2
|
Cold Partial Failure of an LPG
Vessel
|
1.01E-05
|
3
|
Cold catastrophic failure of
LPG road tanker
|
2.25E-07
|
4
|
Cold Partial Failure of Road
Tanker
|
1.66E-05
|
5
|
Guillotine Failure of in-let
filling pipework
|
8.91E-12
|
6
|
Partial Failure of in-let
filling pipework
|
4.33E-09
|
7
|
Guillotine Failure of Flexible
Hose during loading to vessel
|
5.23E-07
|
8
|
Guillotine Failure of liquid
filling line to Vaporizers
|
6.68E-08
|
9
|
Partial Failure of liquid
filling line to Vaporizers
|
1.66E-06
|
10
|
BLEVE of Road Tanker
|
4.61E-13
|
11
|
Rupture of Vaporizers
|
2.24E-09
|
8.8.11 The event trees analysis was performed to
calculate the frequencies of the possible outcomes such as jet fire, flash
fire, fireball etc. are presented in Section 8.4. In addition, BLEVE
scenario was considered for LPG road tanker in case of fire escalation due to
fire impingement on the road tanker. The BLEVE frequency was calculated by
summing the fire frequencies associated with
inlet filling pipework failure, liquid line from tanker to loading hose
failure, flexible hose failure, and liquid filling line to vaporizer failure.
The BLEVE frequency estimation has also taken into account the probability of
jet fire impingement and fire protection offered by Chartek
coating on the road tanker, which is a typical provision in Hong Kong.
Consequence Analysis
8.8.12
In the
consequence modelling, the LPG road tanker is assumed to be in the full
capacity of 9 tonnes. All fire and dispersion
modelling was performed using PHAST.
Risk Summation
Individual
Risk Contours
8.8.13
The
individual risk contour for LPG storage facility at Apex Print Limited and Zama
Industries Limited are presented in Exhibit
8.21 and Exhibit
8.22 below.
8.8.14
Based
on the result, it is found that the maximum level of individual risk generated
from both LPG storage facilities does not exceed 1 x 10-5 per year
at any location. Therefore, these two LPG storages are not expected to lead to
any significant risk impact to the proposed Project site during the
construction and operational phase.
Exhibit 8.21 Individual Risk Contours ¡V LPG Storage Facility at Apex Print
Limited
Exhibit 8.22 Individual Risk Contours ¡V LPG Storage Facility at Zama
Industries Limited
Societal
Risk
8.8.15
The FN
curves for the two assessed study
cases for LPG storage at Apex and Zama are presented in Exhibit 8.23
and Exhibit 8.24, and the FN curves are found to be in the acceptable
region of the risk criteria. The FN curves generated for existing risk in 2025
before the Project commencement and during the construction of New West Plant
in 2025 are found to be similar for both LPG sites, which suggests that the
proposed Project has insignificant contribution to the overall risk level. In
addition, the shape of the curves along the study case year are highly similar,
implying that the increase in the risk in the subsequent year is merely
reflecting the assumed growth in the road population over the years.
8.8.16
Since the FN curves for all studies cases fall
inside the acceptable region of the risk criteria, the societal risk associated
with both of LPG storage facilities are considered to be acceptable.
8.8.17
The Potential Loss of Life (PLL) and the top
contributor scenarios are presented in Appendix 8.12.
Exhibit 8.23 F-N Curve - LPG Storage Facility at Apex Print Limited
Exhibit 8.24 F-N Curve - LPG Storage Facility at Zama Industries Limited
Sensitivity Case for Concurrent Project
Construction
8.8.18
The FN
curves for the sensitivity case including the concurrent project
population is presented in Exhibit
8.25 and Exhibit 8.26 for LPG storage facility at Apex and Zama
respectively. From both the results, no significant change in the FN curves is
observed.
Exhibit 8.25 F-N Curve - LPG
Storage Facility at Apex Print Limited (Sensitivity Case for Concurrent
Project)
Exhibit 8.26 F-N Curve - LPG
Storage Facility at Zama Industries Limited (Sensitivity Case for Concurrent
Project)
8.9
Residual Impacts
8.9.1
Mitigation measures recommended to further
manage and minimize the potential risk during construction and operational
phases of the Project are provided in Sections 8.6.33, 8.7.39 and 8.13. Provided with proper
implementation of all the recommended mitigation measures, no unacceptable risk
is expected from the Project construction and operation.
8.10.1 Implementation
of the recommended mitigation measures should be regularly audited during the
construction phase.
8.11.1
A
Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) was carried out to assess the potential
hazard to life risk due to generation, storage, utilization, processing and
transmission (if applicable) of biogas within the Project site and due to neighbouring fuel gas dangerous goods (DGs) facilities
during the construction and operation of the Project. The neighbouring
fuel gas DGs facilities covered in the QRA included Tai Po Gas Production Plant
(TPGPP), LPG storage facility at Apex Print Limited and Zama Industries
Limited, and DGs storage at Linde HKO Limited.
8.11.2
The QRA
has considered the following study cases representing the various phases of the
Project development:
n Construction
of New West Plant (2025)
n Construction
in Existing West Plant (2030), and
n Operational
Phase (2036).
8.11.3
In
addition, a sensitivity case has also been carried out to consider concurrent
projects within the proposed Project location. The projects identified are
Organic Waste Pre-treatment Centre (OWPC) which is tentatively scheduled to
commence construction in 2025 for completion by 2029, and Tolo
Harbour Effluent Export Scheme (THEES) that is tentatively
scheduled to commence in 2025 for completion in 2031.
8.11.4
Overall,
the QRA has confirmed that the construction and operations of the proposed
Project would not cause significant increase to the existing risk levels of all
TPSTW, TPGPP, LPG storage facilities, and Linde HKO sites.
8.11.5
The
detailed assessment conclusion of each site is summarized as follows:
Biogas
Facilities within Project Site
8.11.6
Both
the individual risk and societal risk associated with the construction phase
and operational phase of the proposed Biogas facilities were found to be within
the acceptable region according to the risk criteria in
Hong Kong. In addition, a projectile risk from area outside the Project site is
performed to assess the probability of projectile hitting biogas holders in
site. A probability of projectile hitting each biogas holders is found to be
9.5E-08/year, which is based on 3000 cylinders assumed in the Linde HKO Site.
Although other facilities (i.e., LPG storage in Apex Print Limited and Zama
Print Limited) may have a projectile risk, due to the limited numbers of
vessels as compared to 3000 cylinders in HKO, the projectile impact is expected
to be insignificant (i.e., below 1E-09/year). Therefore, projectile impact only
considered risk from Linde HKO Site. A sensitivity case was performed to
examine the potential impact on the risk level due to construction and
operations of other concurrent projects which will be located within or in
close proximity to the Project site; the risk of the sensitivity case is found to
be higher compared to the base case, as expected, due to the additional onsite
construction workers. In particular, the 2025 case (construction of new West
plant) result was found to be slightly crossing into the ALARP region; however,
this is only temporary during the concurrent construction period of new West
plant. The risk during the operational phase after the construction works
completed is in the acceptable region. Nevertheless, risk mitigation measures
have been recommended to reduce the risk.
Tai Po Gas Production Plant (TPGPP)
8.11.7
With
respect to individual risk, the Project site was found to be exposed to 1E-6 to
1E-9 per year risk level due to TPGPP. In terms of societal risk, the FN curve
associated with TPGPP was found to be in the ALARP region. It should, however,
be noted that this finding simply reflects the existing risk level,
irrespective of the existence of the proposed Project. The risk associated with
the Project is indeed not significant as compared to existing risk level, as
shown in the comparison of FN curves among different assessment years.
LPG
storage facility at Apex Print Limited and Zama Industries Limited
8.11.8
The
proposed Project, during both construction phase and operational phase, was
found to have no significant contribution to the overall risk level of both the
LPG sites. The LPG sites were also assessed to comply with the individual risk
and societal criteria in Hong Kong.
8.12
Recommendations
8.12.1
Based
on QRA, the following recommendations have been proposed to further reduce the
risk:
n It
is noted that the total amount of the onsite biogas storage is significant, and
may potentially exceed the threshold quantities as specified in the Hong Kong
Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) Chapter 12 for flammable substance
[1], i.e. 15 tonnes for Gas or any mixture of gases
which is flammable in air and is held in the installation as a gas. Should the
threshold quantity be exceeded, the proposed Biogas facilities may be regarded
as a Potentially Hazardous Installation (PHI) requiring further application for
the related permit.
n Flammable
Gas and H2S detectors shall be provided in the biogas area to alert
people to initiate the appropriate emergency actions including suspension of
construction work and machine shutdown which may act as ignition sources when
there is leak detection.
n Emergency
response plan with details of on-site emergency procedures shall be developed
for both construction phase and operational phase of the Project to cover the
potential accident due to biogas releases. This plan should be extended to
cover the concurrent construction project on site, and regular drills should
also be performed.
n Only
authorized vehicles shall be permitted to enter the proposed TPSTW with
restriction of speed for vehicle movements in the site. Safety markings and
marked crash barriers will be provided to the above ground piping, digesters
and gas holders near the access road.
n Prior
to the Project construction, suitable concurrent construction and operations
risk and safety assessment shall be carried out to identify the potential
hazards arising from the simultaneous Project construction and operation of biogas
facilities onsite. Suitable risk mitigation measure shall be implemented for
any significant risk activity identified. For examples, all major construction
activities should be arranged with either adequate setback or physical barrier
from the existing gas installations; implementation of major construction works
and movement of plants and vehicles would be stringently controlled to have
suitable setback clearance, or physical barrier with an empty digester / gas
holder from the digesters / gas holders in operation. This hazard control
assessment should be extended to cover the concurrent construction project on
site.
n It
is recommended to develop a joint emergency response plan between the building
management team of development, HKCG, FSD and TPSTW in case of emergency in the
TPGPP. It is of particular importance during construction phase of TPSTW due to
significant increase in population contributed by construction workers. The
joint emergency response plan should detail the communication protocol between
TPGPP and emergency responders as well as between TPGPP and TPSTW (if required)
as well as review if drill is required periodically.
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