An effective mitigation system for chlorine release from storage facilities: An IoT based practical approach using physical barriers

Most of the existing toxic gas mitigation techniques have difficulty in practical implementation. More effective mitigation methods are required for handling hazardous gas releases in Chemical Process Industries (CPIs). One of the most hazardous chemicals is chlorine, an integral part of almost all chemical industries, especially chlor-alkali. This study examined a possible accidental spill of liquid chlorine from a chlorine storage area. Computational Fluid Dynamics, Process Hazard Analysis Software Tool (PHAST), and Probit analysis were combined to develop the overall effect and vulnerability models. The dispersion of chlorine vapors at wind speeds of 2, 3, and 4 m/s was analyzed, and the corresponding threat zones were plotted. Many public establishments of extreme vulnerability were located inside the threat zones. Offsite emergency planning guidelines are necessary for such conditions. Based on the results of the consequence analysis, a practical and cost-efficient IoT (Internet of Things) based mitigation system using physical barriers is proposed. The proposed mitigation system accounts for entrapment, continuous removal, and safe handling of the chlorine vapor from the release area. The proposed mitigation system can be implemented in all CPIs dealing with the production and storage of toxic gases. The outcome of this study can contribute to the development of Emergency Response Planning (ERP) guidelines for chlorine release.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025)