Hazop Analysis of a Bioprocess for Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production from Organic Waste: Part A

The number of bioprocesses for the circular economy organic waste has grown in recent years. Implementation new processes and technologies should consider occupational health safety issues from initial design stages. Among process hazards analysis techniques, HAZard OPerability (HAZOP) methodology is widely used studying both process’s their operability problems, by exploring effects any deviations conditions. In present study, a modified version HAZOP been applied to three-steps developed at pilot scale Treviso municipal wastewater treatment plant order produce polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) as final high value product. This paper shows results first step (acidogenic fermentation) aimed volatile fatty acids production. conditions corresponding maximum PHA content biomass. study showed that this allowed comprehensive exploration conventional chemical engineering biological hazards. Final piping instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) acidogenic fermentation have designed, identifying all prevention measures managing hazard issues. P&ID interconnection equipment required controlling process.