Berry Cogen-18 Facility - Executive Summary |
|
Solar Asset Management Services Berry Cogen-18 Facility Dept: 612 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Berry Cogen-18 facility RMP Analysis utilizes a process based approach to identify and evaluate a wide range of failures that may contribute to the release of anhydrous ammonia. Failure analysis was not limited to mechanical issues, and included behavioral, administrative, and catastrophic events as part of each component evaluation. The evaluation team consisted of the Facility Manager, a Lead Technician, at least one facility technician, and a corporate Solar Health and Safety member. On a functional basis, this unified document allows for the rapid identification and evaluation of ammonia related issues, and identifies control technology and procedures to prevent or minimize a release. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM: This Emergency Action Plan was prepared in a joint effort between Solar Asset Management Services, operator of the facility and Berry Petroleum Company, owne r of the facility. The Berry Cogen-18 facility Emergency Action Program is established to implement a healthy and safe environment in the workplace. It should be used to ensure that all personnel have proper training and knowledge concerning the evacuation of the facility. Principle objectives of the program is to establish a plan for the rapid and orderly evacuation of all personnel in the event of an emergency. The safety of all personnel at the site is of paramount importance. This plan is designed to enhance the effectiveness of the coordination, communication and response to an emergency. This program applies to all Solar Asset Management Services [SAMS] employees, contractors and visitors at the Berry Cogen-18 Facility located at 29063 Hwy. #33, Maricopa, CA 93252. FACILITY DESCRIPTION: LOCATION AND SURROUNDING AREA: The Berry Cogeneration-18 Facility is located in Kern County, California, approximately 3.2 miles southwest of the City of Taft and 3.2 miles northwest of the City of Maricopa. The facility is adjacent to the State Route 33 Highway, approximately one mile west of Route #33. The site occupies 1.8 acres. The site is adjacent to the Berry Petroleum Company Production Facilities. The area around the facility is basically uninhabited. COGENERATION FACILITY: The Berry Cogeneration-18 Facility is owned by Berry Petroleum Company. Steam and electricity are produced and sold to the local power utility company. The Cogeneration facility began commercial operation in December 1986. The facility consists of two Solar Mars 90 gas turbine generator sets for the production of electrical energy and two heat recovery steam generators [HRSG] for the production of thermal energy in the form of Steam. The cogeneration system electrical power output runs in parallel with the local utility company grid. Electrical power is also consumed by surrounding Berry Production facilities supplying the electrical needs of the facilities up to 1000 Kilowatts. Ex haust heat from the gas turbines is recovered in the heat recovery steam generation system.. All steam produced is delivered to the Berry Petroleum Company for injection into the oil formation for enhanced oil recovery. The site is currently operated by Solar Asset Management Services and is manned 24 hours a day. There are Five personnel ([1] Lead Technician-I, and [4] Technician-II personnel) assigned to the facility. ANHYDROUS AMMONIA OPERATIONS: Anhydrous ammonia is stored in liquid form in a specifically design storage vessel. Ammonia is stored at ambient temperature in the pressurized horizontal storage tank with typical quantities of 9000 to 15000 gallons. When ambient conditions do not significantly promote the vaporization of liquid ammonia, a vaporizer is utilized to heat the liquid to its boiling point to produce vapor. The ammonia vapor is sent to a mixing chamber where it is mixed with dilution air. The resulting ammonia vapor /air stream is then injected into the HRSG. This, in conjunction with the catalyst within the HRSG, allow for the reduction of NOx and other unwanted materials being sent to the environment. The exhaust gas, containing a lower concentration of NOx, is then sent from the HRSG to a exhaust stack. ANHYDROUS AMMONIA [CAS # 7664-41-7]: APPLICATION : The application requirements of this California Accidental Release Program is for the product of Anhydrous Ammonia utilized in a process for emissions reduction with a Inventory capability ABOVE the specified threshold quantity for Anhydrous Ammonia of (10,000 lbs.). OFFSITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS: In accordance with USEPA guidelines, a worst-case release scenario involves a release of the contents of the largest quantity of a regulated substance from a vessel or process line failure that results in the greatest distance to a specified endpoint. The largest quantity should be determined taking into account administrative controls such as procedures that could limit the quant ity of a substance that can be stored in a vessel or pipeline at any time. The worst-case release scenario is also defined by pessimistic meteorological conditions, including an atmospheric stability class F (stable atmosphere), wind speed of 1.5 meters per second (3.4 miles per hour), and an ambient air temperature of 250C (770F). Because Facility 18 is located in an area with few buildings nearby, open (rural) conditions were assumed to estimate the maximum impact. Anhydrous ammonia is stored in liquid form in a 30,000-gallon tank. Administrative controls limit the amount of ammonia in the tank to be 15,000 gallons. To model the release, it was assumed that the entire contents of the ammonia tank were released over a ten-minute period from a one-inch diameter hole in the tank. For the SLAB model, it was assumed that the release would consist of a mixture of 81 percent liquid and 19 percent vapor that would form an aerosol and behave initially as a dense gas. The release was as sumed to occur at ground level (0 meters height). The plume extends to 5.4 miles from the release point. The actual direction of the plume would be dependent on the wind direction at the time of release. Previous evaluations for this area concluded that the most likely wind directions are to the southeast and to the west. Approximately 7,600 people live within the area potentially impacted by a worse-case release scenario. OFFSITE CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS CONTINUED: The alternative release scenario represents a more likely release scenario than the release of the entire contents of the receiver. This scenario was identified during the process hazards analysis that was conducted for the facility and was based on the results of the analysis. The scenario involves the release of ammonia from a 2-inch fill line at the tank. The process conditions for the line include an operating temperature of 00F and a pressure of 130 pounds per square inch (psi). It was assumed that the ammonia is released through a half-open fill line. The release from the area was assumed to occur over a 3-minute period based on the hazard analysis. The release height was assumed to be at ground surface. The plume potentially extends to 0.6 miles from the release point. Less than 50 people are estimated to live in the area potentially impacted by the alternative release scenario. No sensitive receptors are known to be within this area. GENERAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND PREVENTION STEPS: The health and safety of all employees is the top priority. Ensure that all safety precautions are followed when performing startup, loading, and operations activities. All affected employees are to be familiar with this program and follow its procedures. Training of involved personnel on the program is required. Employees will be given a initial orientation as to the purpose for this RMP manual. Employees will be advised routinely as to the development stages of the RMP manual. Employees will be advised of the developments concerning the hazard analysis discussions and findings. Employees will be given opportunities to discuss suggestions or concerns towards this manual including the ongoing hazard analysis development. FIVE YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY: The CalARP guide lines definition for accidental release states "An unanticipated emission of a regulated substance or other extremely hazardous substance into the ambient air from a stationary source". There have been no accidents or unanticipated emissions of a regulated substance at the Berry Cogen-18 Facility . There have been no accidental or unanticipated releases of the regulated substance [Anhydrous Ammonia] in the past five years. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM: Berry Petroleum Company maintains two levels of Incident Command Systems. The first level involves on-site incidents with limited exposure. In these incidents the Foreman, or highest-ranking Berry employee on site, shall assume the Incident Commander duties and assign r esponsibilities as needed. The Level 1 and 2 Incident Command System Organization Chart is adopted to assist in assigning duties. A Level 3 incident, which involves off-site implications, the highest-ranking Incident Commander-trained Berry person on site shall assume the Incident Commander post. If this is a escalation from a Level 1 or Level 2 incident, the outgoing Incident Commander shall be reassigned to another position as needed. The Level 3 Incident Command System chart is adopted to assist in assigning duties. |