Title: Combining Natural Language Processing and Bayesian Networks for the Probabilistic Estimation of the Severity of Process Safety Events in Hydrocarbon Production Assets

Authors: Dario VALCAMONICO, Piero BARALDI, Enrico ZIO, Luca DECARLI, Anna CRIVELLARI and Laura LA ROSA

This is an open-access article that can be downloaded here

Abstract:This work investigates the possibility of using the information contained in reports describing Process Safety Events (PSEs) occurred in hydrocarbon production assets to support Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA). Specifically, a novel methodology combining Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Bayesian Networks (BNs) is proposed to estimate the probabilities of having PSEs of various classes of severity and identifying the factors that have mostly influenced their variation along the monitored period. A repository of reports of PSEs of hydrocarbons plants is considered to show the potentialities of the developed methodology. An application to a repository of reports of PSEs of hydrocarbons plants is considered to show the potentialities of the developed methodology. The results obtained in the application show that the proposed methodology allows identifying the critical factors for the severity of the consequences of PSEs. These results show that the framework can be used to inform and guide decisions about possible improvements of the system safety by mitigative and preventive barriers.

Join the 7th International Conference on System Reliability and Safety to bring your valuable contribution in a high level international community of academics and experts from institutions, industries and government agencies involved in the fields of System Reliability and Safety.

November 22-24, 2023, Bologna (Italy).

Submission deadline: August 10, 2023

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Auguri Dr. Wang!

A couple of weeks ago, now ex-LASAR member, Dr. Binseng Wang, succeeded in completing his Ph.D. thesis, under the supervision of Prof. Baraldi and Prof. Zio. Now, he’s on his way back to China, where he will continue pursuing more academic achievements.

On his last day in Italy, the entire LASAR team gathered for a football match, following an amazing celebration where everyone had the opportunity to say farewell to our ex-colleague… with real MOUTAI!

Fully funded PhD position available:

INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE PROBABILISTIC MODELLING OF POLLUTANT TRANSPORT FOR THE RISK ASSESSMENT OF AQUIFER CONTAMINATION FROM INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Call details.

Submit your candidature by June 29th, 2023!

Dr. Zhaojun Hao, now an ex-member of LASAR, has successfully defended his PhD thesis entitled “Operation and Maintenance of Cyber-Physical Energy Systems Accounting for Reliable and Safe Power Production and Supply,” under the guidance of Prof. Zio and Prof. Di Maio.

Dr. Hao will soon return to China, his home country, to explore new opportunities. The LASAR team wishes him the best in his professional achievements!