Introduction

Hazards and Operability (HAZOP) Studies provide systematic means to identify and assess potential
hazards within a process and make recommendations based on the findings to avoid future problems. For this
HAZOP study, a two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank system (see Safety Data Sheet in Appendix B) was
chosen from the plant facilities of Honeywell Aerospace at Aguadilla, PR. A Facilities Service Contractor for the
Company, Sr. Juan Chaparro and Cabo Rojo Gas Engineer, Mr. William Vega, were part of the team that provided
the information to support this report. The system set in place by Cabo Rojo Gas & Oil Co. supplies propane to
the equipment of the cafeteria inside the location. The tanks have tare weights are of 272.3 and 272.7 lbs. and a
volume of 120 gallons. These have a similar valve arrangement as the one shown in Figure 1 according to
manufacturer specifications
[1]
.

Figure 1. Steel propane tank setup according to Worthington, the manufacturer of the tanks studied.

The two LPG tanks system Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID) is depicted in Figure 2. Some of
the valves on the tanks were obviated from the diagram to maintain simplicity of the process. The propane gas
system delivers the fuel to 6 pieces of equipment inside the cafeteria kitchen: two industrial ovens, one grill, a
deep fryer and two industrial stoves. The system is straightforward: both tanks merge in a single pipe,
containing a regulator pump, two seismic emergency shutoff valves and two pressure relief valves and two
butterfly valves along this main line. In the kitchen, this pipe divides into the six feeds that go into the
equipment. As one of the safety precautions, the second butterfly valve (also known as a quarter turn valve) is
shut off every day by the last person working in the kitchen facilities.


F
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2
.

P
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D
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(
P
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s
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.


N
o
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1

N
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2

N
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3

Hazards and Operability Study

Node 1: Tanks
Design intention: Propane gas storage (more specifics such as capacity and filling procedures in finished
report) and periodic refilling.
Process
Parameters
No,
Not,
None
More,
Higher,
Greater
Less,
Lower
As
Well
As
Part
Of
Reverse
Other
Than
Sooner
Than
Later
Than
Where
Else
Temperature


Corrosion
Pressure
Flow
Vibration
Capacity


Node 2: Outside valves
Design intention: Flow regulation (specifics such as propane flow on finished report), propane transport,
and control through piping outside of the facility.
Process
Parameters
No,
Not,
None
More,
Higher,
Greater
Less,
Lower
As
Well
As
Part
Of
Reverse
Other
Than
Sooner
Than
Later
Than
Where
Else
Temperature
Corrosion
Pressure
Flow
Vibration
Capacity


Node 3: Inside Valves
Design intention: Flow regulation (specifics such as propane flow on finished report), propane transport,
and control through piping inside of the facility. Also gas supply to equipment.
Process
Parameters
No,
Not,
None
More,
Higher,
Greater
Less,
Lower
As
Well
As
Part
Of
Reverse
Other
Than
Sooner
Than
Later
Than
Where
Else
Temperature
Corrosion
Pressure
Flow
Vibration
Capacity

References

[1]"Steel Forklift Cylinders." Worthington Cylinders. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.worthingtoncylinders.com/Products/Industrial-Products/Propane/Forklift/Steel.aspx>.



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