Comparative risk assessment of exploitation of old and new thermal power plant's ash disposal sites in Kostolac, according to hydrological scenario

Abstract

In this paper a comparative risk assessment of the exploitation of old and new ash disposal sites in Kostolac is given. Risk assessment is carried out according to the FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) method in combination with a risk matrix, which includes a detailed elaboration of potential accident scenario at disposal sites and analysis of consequences that accident can cause. As a potential accident scenario only hydrological scenario is taken into consideration, which is based on the influx of large amounts of precipitation, the cause of the largest number of accidents at industrial disposal sites. Analyses of environmental consequences, potential human losses and economic consequences are given. According to the risk matrix it is found that both of disposal sites are in the 'blue' zone of risk, which is interpreted as a tolerable level of risk, although the new disposal site is still in a better position than the old one because the expected level of risk is lower by one degree.

Keywords

• thermal power plant 'Kostolac'
• ash disposal site
• risk assessment
• FMEA method
• risk matrix
• hydrological scenario