Probabilistic safety assessment in the chemical and nuclear industries

"Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) determines the probability and consequences of accidents, and hence, the risk. This subject concerns policy makers, regulators, designers, educators, and engineers working to achieve maximum safety with operational efficiency. Risk is analyzed using methods that were originated to achieve reliability in the space program. Historically, the first major application was to the nuclear power industry, which has been followed by applications in the chemical industry. The methods have been applied to space, aviation, defense, and ground and water transportation. This book uniquely parallels methods for treating chemical and nuclear risk through the duality of probability and consequence. In addition to presenting methodology, it shows how to identify accident vulnerability in the two industries. It reviews the causes of the two major nuclear accidents and many fatal accidents in the chemical industry, including Bhopal. Many examples of applications of PSA to both industries are presented."--BOOK JACKET. "Problems are included at the end of many chapters with answers at the back of the book."--BOOK JACKET.