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Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Chemical Engineering and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 7897

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Paolo Mocellin

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Guest Editor

Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
Interests: safety of industrial chemical processes and plants; safety and security of innovative and strategic infrastructures (CCUS, energy carrier supply chains, electrified chemical processes); development of chemical processes according to integrated frameworks (economics, safety, environment and social acceptability); fire safety engineering in the industrial and civil contexts; electrification of the chemical industry; applied computational fluid dynamics for safety and fire prevention

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to launch a new Special Issue focusing on the safety and risk analysis of industrial chemical processes from the perspective of sustainability. Sustainable processes must also ensure high-level safety via appropriate hazard and risk identification, management and reduction strategies. Such strategies, including technical, operational and educational approaches, can be applied at any stage of the lifecycle of a process (design, construction, operation and dismission) and during emergencies. Each processing category (e.g., chemical, pharmaceutical, the food industry, energy industry, waste industry, etc.) is affected by specific hazards and risks that need to be identified, tackled and controlled in light of particular process conditions and regimes, the unit operations involved, and the size and nature of the plant.

Based on this foreword, the Special Issue aims to collect high-quality papers addressing current challenges and innovations or perspectives in the safety and risk analysis of industrial chemical processes from the perspective of sustainability.

In this context, this Special Issue seeks papers encompassing the following topics, among others:

Innovative hazard and risk analysis techniques in the field of industrial processes;
Applied safety and environmental analysis frameworks;
Approaches to include multi-risk analysis in the process industry;
Safety, environmental, and societal metrics, indicators and policies;
Case-studies;
Preventive and mitigative strategies for industrial and environmental accidents related to industrial processes;
Design of safe and sustainable industrial chemical processes, including environmental issues;
Environmental management in industrial chemical processes;
Methods for evaluating the environmental and societal impact of industrial processes;
Technical, environmental and societal safety in industrial processes;
Accident consequence modeling and environmental remediation;
Post-incidental analysis, legal issues and responsibility;
Education, training and communication of technical and environmental safety of industrial chemical processes.

This Special Issue aims to take a step forward in the integrated analysis of multi-risks related to industrial processes, including technical, environmental and societal aspects.

We welcome state-of-the-art research, perspectives, innovative models or approaches, system improvements, performance measurement, empirical studies, and applied case studies or surveys.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Paolo Mocellin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable processes
safety
hazards and risks
environment
industrial processes
integrated framework
industrial accidents
responsibility
prevention
mitigation

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5917 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Condensate Oil on the Spontaneous Combustion of Tank Corrosion Products Based on Thermodynamics

by Wenjing Zang, Jianhai Wang, Shuo Wang, Shuo Yuan, Qi Zeng, Huanran Zhang and Hui Liu

Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4445; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104445 - 13 May 2025

Viewed by 411

Abstract

Condensate oil, due to its inherent physical and chemical properties, can accelerate the spontaneous combustion of corrosion products in storage tanks during transportation or storage, posing significant risks to the safety and sustainability of energy infrastructure. While prior research has primarily examined crude oil or reactive sulfur effects on tank corrosion, the mechanistic role of condensate oil in promoting corrosion product ignition remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigates the impact of condensate oil on simulated tank corrosion product compounds (STCPCs) through a combination of microstructural analysis (XRD and SEM) and thermal behavior characterization (TG-DSC). The results reveal that condensate oil treatment markedly increases STCPC surface roughness, inducing crack formation and pore proliferation. These structural changes may enhance the adsorption of O₂ and condensate oil, thereby amplifying STCPC reactivity. Notably, condensate oil reduces the thermal stability of STCPC, increasing its spontaneous combustion propensity. DSC analysis further demonstrates that condensate oil introduces additional exothermic peaks during oxidative heating, releasing heat that accelerates STCPC ignition. Moreover, condensate oil lowers the apparent activation energy of STCPC by 1.44 kJ/mol and alters the dominant reaction mechanism. These insights advance the understanding of corrosion-induced spontaneous combustion and highlight critical sustainability challenges in petrochemical storage and transportation. By elucidating the hazards associated with condensate oil, this study provides actionable theoretical guidance for improving the safety and environmental sustainability of energy logistics. Future work should explore mitigation strategies, such as corrosion-resistant materials or optimized storage conditions, to align industrial practices with sustainable development goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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22 pages, 3792 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vulnerability and Sustainable Development Strategy of the Power Industry Under Carbon Market Based on Social Network Analysis Perspective

by Lihong Li, Ce Xiu, Bing Liu, Xingcheng Yu and Rui Zhu

Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4398; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104398 - 12 May 2025

Viewed by 410

Abstract

Under the carbon market regulation, the power industry carbon trading (PICT) is still facing severe challenges, which seriously restrict the low-carbon transition of the power industry and carbon market stability. This paper innovatively introduces vulnerability research into PICT exploration and identifies stakeholders and vulnerabilities based on the whole PICT process. A social network analysis (SNA) is used to construct the PICT vulnerability network, and the key vulnerability nodes and their interactions are quantitatively analyzed to reveal the vulnerability formation mechanism. The findings suggest that PICT vulnerabilities are multi-dimensional, complex, and highly systemic, while policy formulation, the market trading mechanism, and the regulatory system are the core factors influencing the stable operation. At the same time, vulnerability propagation shows subject correlation and multilevel transmission effects, and different stakeholders play different roles in vulnerability propagation. On this basis, this paper proposes a four-dimensional vulnerability mitigation system centered on policy, market, regulation, and synergy, and quantitatively evaluates the effectiveness of the strategy through network simulation analysis. The conclusions enrich the theoretical study of PICT vulnerability and also provide strong decision support for regulating stakeholders’ market behavior and enhancing the stability of the carbon trading market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 3489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Risk Management Framework for Petroleum Storage Facilities: Integrating Bow-Tie Analysis and Dynamic Bayesian Networks

by Dingding Yang, Kexin Xing, Lidong Pan, Ning Lu and Jingxiao Yu

Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2642; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062642 - 17 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 586

Abstract

Petroleum storage and transport systems necessitate robust safety measures to mitigate oil spill risks threatening marine ecosystems and sustainable development through ecological and socioeconomic safeguards. We aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution patterns of accidents and effectively mitigate risks. An improved risk assessment method that combines the Bow-Tie (BT) theory and Dynamic Bayesian theory was applied to evaluate the safety risks of petroleum storage and transportation facilities. Additionally, a scenario modeling approach was utilized to construct a model of the event chain resulting from accidents, facilitating quantitative analysis and risk prediction. By constructing an accident chain based on fault trees, the BT model was converted into a Bayesian Network (BN) model. A Dynamic Bayesian Network (DBN) model was established by incorporating time series parameters into the static Bayesian model, enabling the dynamic risk assessment of an oil storage and transportation base in the Zhoushan archipelago. This study quantitatively analyzes the dynamic risk propagation process of storage tank leakage, establishing time-dependent risk probability profiles. The results demonstrate an initial leakage probability of 0.015, with risk magnitude doubling for the temporal progression and concurrent probabilistic escalation of secondary hazards, including fire or explosion scenarios. A novel risk transition framework for the consequences of petrochemical leaks has been developed, providing a predictive paradigm for risk evolution trajectories and offering critical theoretical and practical references for emergency response optimization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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19 pages, 8576 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Occupational Risk Management Through the Lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): An Integrated Approach to Promoting Sustainability in the Workplace

by Adriana Milea (Pârvu), Roland-Iosif Moraru and Lucian-Ionel Cioca

Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 1864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17051864 - 22 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1070

Abstract

This study explores the link between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the process of identifying and assessing occupational risks in industrial and organizational environments, highlighting the importance of these goals in promoting a safe, healthy, and sustainable work environment. In the center of this analysis are SDG 3 (“Good Health and Well-Being”) and SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”), which highlight the need to create working conditions that prioritize the safety of workers. The study analyzes the correlation between the implementation of these global objectives and occupational risk management processes. Research results indicate that linking the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to these processes reduces the incidence of accidents and occupational diseases and also contributes to the achievement of global sustainability goals. An integrated approach improves the resilience of organizations, promotes equity in the professional environment, and supports sustainable economic development. The findings of the study offer important insights for policymakers, managers, and researchers, indicating that adopting a common framework for sustainability and occupational safety can bring significant benefits at local and global levels. Thus, the research encourages the widespread application of this integrative model in organizational policies and practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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18 pages, 1174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Causes and Configuration Paths of Explosion Accidents in Chemical Companies Based on the REASON Model

by Chao Wang, Bo Lu and Ruyi Shi

Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9845; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229845 - 12 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1621

Abstract

Explosion accidents, representing one of the most severe accident types within the chemical industry, pose substantial threats to personnel safety, economic losses, and environmental pollution, among other consequences. This paper constructs a research framework based on the REASON theory, utilizing accident investigation reports of 30 typical chemical enterprise explosion accidents in China from 2013–2022 as research samples. The fsQCA method is employed to deeply explore the influencing factors and causal configuration pathways of chemical explosion accidents from a configurational perspective. The study findings indicate that the occurrence of explosions in chemical enterprises is the result of the coupled effects of multiple factors, with five complex accident causation configurations, which can be summarized into the following three categories: organizational management deficiencies, supervision deficiencies, and behavior–risk linkages. Organizational management and safety supervision have a direct and significant impact on the occurrence of explosions in chemical enterprises and are key factors in the accidents. The research conclusions contribute to a rational understanding of the complex causes of explosions in chemical enterprises and provide practical guidance for the prevention and control of such accidents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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17 pages, 1205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Energy Safety Management Utilizing an Industry-Relative Assessment of Enterprise Equipment Technical Condition

by Hanna Hrinchenko, Olha Prokopenko, Nadiia Shmygol, Viktor Koval, Liliya Filipishyna, Svitlana Palii and Lucian-Ionel Cioca

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020771 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1534

Abstract

The study considers approaches to ensuring energy management for the safe operation of facilities and their equipment and ways to improve it. It has been established that to ensure effective safety management of industrial enterprises, one of the critical areas is the technical diagnostics of power equipment during operation. An assessment of the actual technical condition of power equipment of VVER-1000 power units is proposed based on establishing the aging mechanisms and determining the relative evaluation coefficients for the characteristics of individual equipment elements. The results of the calculations allowed us to conclude that the obtained results correspond to the coefficients of relative assessment Ki of the technical characteristics of the power equipment that determine its degradation. Studies indicates that when assessing the state of power equipment, it is necessary to consider the presence and impact of the following operational factors that are not considered in the design calculations: loads, high levels of mechanical stress, fatigue damage, and metal defects, which primarily indicate the presence of degradation changes. To assess the technical condition of the equipment, considering the degree of mechanical wear, 17 technical characteristics were selected to determine the aging mechanisms by signs of degradation. A mathematical model of the dependence of the relative evaluation coefficient K on changes in the operating parameters is presented, and it is noted that the most significant influence on the value of the coefficient is the temperature of the coolant at the inlet (K = 0.56). The developed approach makes it possible to improve the safety management system of power facilities by introducing the proposed model to assess the technical conditions of power equipment by defining the parameters in the overall safety management system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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15 pages, 3221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Biocomposites Based on Invasive Rugulopteryx okamurae Seaweed and Cassava Starch

by Ismael Santana, Manuel Felix and Carlos Bengoechea

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010076 - 21 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

The development of plastic materials based on cassava reduces the dependence on non-biodegradable petroplastics, and enhances the sustainability of the cassava value chain. In this sense, cassava starch (CS) is used as a reinforcer of biocomposites that also contain brown seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae (RO). RO is an invasive species whose accumulation poses a strong environmental burden in the strait of Gibraltar. Because it can be used as a biopolymer, its use in the plastics industry would promote a healthy ecosystem. Thus, RO/CS mixtures with different RO/CS ratios (from 100/0 to 30/70) were processed through injection moulding at 140 °C. The thermal properties of plastic samples have been analysed through calorimetric, thermogravimetric and rheological techniques. Moreover, the mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and microstructure of samples have also been studied. Thus, biopolymer degradation of the composites seems to happen at 213–303 °C, as revealed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the samples, whereas an exothermic peak observed in DSC at 350–500 °C would be related to the degradation of organic compounds in anaerobic conditions. Rheological tests evidenced a softening of the RO/CS biocomposites when CS content increased in the formulation, so that elastic moduli dropped from 23.72 MPa in the 70/30 to 5.69 MPa for 30/70. However, RO/CS biocomposites became more resistant and deformable as CS content increased: maximum stress and strain at break increased from 78.2 kPa and 0.14% (70/30 system) to 580 kPa and 25.2% (30/70), respectively. Finally, no important differences were observed in their water uptake capacities or microstructures when increasing CS ratio in the mixture. As cassava starch can be extracted from agro-industrial wastes (i.e., cassava peel and bagasse), its use in biocomposites could be of great use for a more sustainable approach for plastic materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Risk Analysis of Industrial Processes from the Perspective of Sustainability)

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