Abstract
Industrial refrigeration systems typically use ammonia as a refrigerant gas, which is a toxic gas so leaks can be catastrophic. This study aimed to identify how to improve robustness in a cold generation process using the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM). A case study was conducted through interviews and direct observations to develop three FRAM models: one focusing on operation and maintenance functions; another focusing on functions related to the provision of occupational health and safety (OHS) measures; and a third overlapping the first two models. Results revealed that the management of OHS is restricted to the legislation applied to piping under pressure, and the company did not consider a more comprehensive safety approach for the ammonia storage stage. This study also highlighted the need for action, such as non-destructive and penetrating liquid tests, in one of the process steps considered critical for operation and maintenance, but not for OHS.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.