As refineries must detect unsafe operating conditions before they occur, EPIC Systems and Mead O'Brien engineered, built and shipped a set of automated safety shutdown skids for refineries, first completed in April 2016. As safety instrumented systems, these industrial skids monitor pipelines and prevent potential accidents from occurring with automated alerts and responses.
The systems feature an integration of pressure controlling and monitoring instrumentation, along with automated shutoff valves. Each of the industrial skids monitors downstream pressure for improper conditions. If unsafe operating conditions are detected, the system isolates the incoming fuel supply and prevents downstream burners from operating at out of specification, potentially dangerous conditions.
Mead O’Brien developed the original system designs with a client and approached EPIC as a physical design and fabrication partner. Using the process designs developed by Mead O’Brien, EPIC developed piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) and modular skid designs.
“The partnership between Mead O’Brien and EPIC has been rewarding for both companies. Mead O’Brien’s development of this specific system and knowledge of the refinery industry complements EPIC’s process design and fabrication experience. The success of these safety modules in the field is a testament to that,” said Mike Phillips, Senior Engineer at Mead O’Brien.
Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle