Abstract
The use of biofuels, derived from biomass as raw material, represents an alternative to fossil fuels and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security. The European Directive 2023/2413, Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III), promotes the use of advanced biofuels and biogas (with a target of 5.5% in the transport sector by 2030) and encourages the development of production and storage plants for innovative fuels. The RED III Directive distinguishes between “conventional” biofuels (produced, for example, from crops such as corn or rapeseed) and second-generation or advanced biofuels (produced from organic waste, used oils, agricultural or forestry residues, which do not compete with the food sector). In the context of biofuel establishment, pressure equipment and assemblies are essential for various processes, such as hydrogen production, deoxygenation, isomerization, and separation units, in order to obtain hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), bio-LPG, etc. Examples of pressure equipment used in production processes are: vessels, heat exchangers, reactors, furnaces, pressurized piping connecting the equipment. To ensure safe management, it is crucial that such pressure equipment and assemblies are designed, manufactured, commissioned and operated in compliance with current regulations to prevent accidents and ensure the safety and health of workers and citizens living near the plant, as well as the integrity of the processes. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive view of the safe management of pressure equipment and systems in biotechnological industries, in compliance with European regulations. Furthermore, authors describe the main effects on the health of workers and citizens living near industrial plants containing pressure equipment, due to accidents causing fires, explosions and release of toxic substances.
Keywords: Industrial Biotechnology, Pressure Equipment, Safe Management, Occupational Safety and Health, Workers’ health, Citizens’ health.
