Pipeline safety distance determination method based on risk assessment

Rational determination of pipeline safety distance can not only reduce the loss caused by accidents, but also provide the basis for rational pipeline design. In this paper, quantitative pipeline risk assessment results were analyzed. Then, the areas around the pipeline were divided into different risk zones according to the acceptable risk standard which is stipulated in Individual and Social Acceptable Risk Standards for Dangerous Chemicals Production and Storage Devices. And the pipeline safety distance determination method based on risk assessment was proposed. The case study shows that this method can reflect the characteristics of pipeline itself and the differences of external environment (e.g. pipe wall thickness, burial depth, operating pressure and third party), so it is more targeted and more rational than the pipeline safety distance determination methods based on laws, regulations and standards. It can be used as the reference for the determination of safety distance of in-service and newly built pipelines.