Lightning and surge protection for chemical production plants
Production at chemical plants operates around the clock within highly complex, closely integrated process environments. Continuous or batch processes place extremely high demands on process stability, safety and plant availability.
Reactors, columns and heat exchangers are inextricably linked to energy supply systems and measurement, control and process control technology, as well as numerous hazardous zones. Even minor disruptions can have serious consequences for people and the environment, for production and for security of supply.
Lightning strikes and surges are among the main risk factors.
We can help ensure that your chemical production plant is comprehensively secured in accordance with regulations – offering comprehensive advice, in-depth risk analysis and protection planning, as well as tried-and-tested protection solutions, all from a single source.
Risks posed by lightning and surges to chemical plants
With their large-scale layout with open-air components and pipe bridges, chemical production plants are particularly exposed to external influences such as lightning strikes.
Surges enter the plant via the power supply, fieldbuses and communication networks, and can affect critical systems such as distributed control systems (DCS), safety instrumented systems (SIS) and measurement and analysis equipment.
Even the slightest disruptions can:
- destabilise chemical reactions.
- cause process deviations and a decline in quality.
- trigger safety shutdowns.
- create ignition hazards in Ex zones.
At the same time, ignition hazards arise from sparks, potential differences or flashovers, which in turn increase the risk of explosions and fires.
The result is expensive downtimes, product losses and situations that pose a safety risk to people and the environment.
The core building blocks of protection
Safely standard-compliant
The following standards are relevant to lightning and surge protection for chemical production plants:
- IEC 62305 (lightning protection standard)
- IEC 60079 (standard for explosion protection)
- DIN EN 1127 (risk assessment)
Downloads
More safety in hazardous areas
HVI Lightning Protection
DEHN protects pipelines
DEHNventil ACI
System protection for building, measuring and control systems
Surge protection for Ethernet APL
Bayernoil
CLH Group
Sonatrach Raffineria Italiana
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
Our services
We can provide support for your project from the planning to the implementation and beyond. Take advantage of our wide range of practical tools and services.
We create the entire lightning protection concept – from the risk analysis and earthing simulation to budget planning – all precisely tailored to your project and standard-compliant.
With DEHNrisk, you can determine the lightning risk for structures comprehensively, quickly and precisely. The web-based application helps to determine the class of LPS and other necessary measures.
Design the external lightning protection and earthing systems for your project in accordance with DIN 18014 and IEC 62305-3. The program automatically creates a bill of materials for further use.
