Domino Effect Based Risk Analysis and Optimization Design of the Storage Tank Unit of Oil Depots

Oil depots, whether small or large, now start a trend of storing increasingly considerable amounts of flammable petroleum to serve the growing demand for energy. The traditional way to locate oil depots is mainly to depend upon such factors as economic activity, topography, climate and transportation condition of their surroundings. As one of the most important parts in an oil depot, the storage tank unit is more subject than other areas to risks which could probably lead to devastating accidents resulting from domino effects. Safety issues will also be taken into account in the layout design of storage facilities, but are not always optimal due to considerations of construction cost and storage capacity. In this work, the authors propose a new method for optimizing the design of oil storage unit through quantitative risk analysis based on domino effect. According to this model, we can calculate the ideal number and capacity of tanks, the reasonable distance between them, and the safety space between the tank unit and the vulnerable elements that surround it, combining the additional investment costs in safety with the loss of life and wealth caused by potential domino accidents (such as big fires and explosions). To achieve the objective, the principles of mathematical optimization and acceptable risk criteria should be applied for better understanding of the methodology. Finally, several case studies are presented to demonstrate this technique by using risk analysis software. The paper aims at providing a decision-making tool based on domino effect risk analysis to help to find an optimum design of an oil depot, especially in initial stages of the project, and minimize the associated risk.