Refinery safety measures and handling of hazardous materials

From the very nature of crude oil, its refining and the processes relating to its operation provide an extremely hazardous situation. Above all, of course, is the inherent danger of fire. Considerable steps are taken therefore to prevent this, and if a fire does occur, to combat and restrain it in the most effective manner.

Although the fire hazard is always the primary concern in the refining of petroleum, there are other hazards that are present and always need to be addressed. Among these are the handling of toxic and dangerous chemicals that are used in the refining processes. There is also always present the danger to life of toxic products that are produced in some of the refining processes. Perhaps the most notable is hydrogen sulfide, which is common to all modern refineries.

This chapter deals first of all with the nature and handling of these common hazardous materials (Part 1). The chapter then continues with the description and discussion of those basic fire protection methods used in refinery design and operation (Part 2).