Volume 4, Issue 3 (Summer 2015)                   J Occup Health Epidemiol 2015, 4(3): 163-175 | Back to browse issues page


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Zaranejad A, Ahmadi O. Fire and explosion risk assessment in a chemical company by the application of DOW fire and explosion index. J Occup Health Epidemiol 2015; 4 (3) :163-175
URL: http://johe.rums.ac.ir/article-1-162-en.html

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1- Dept of. Sciences of Occupational Health, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Dept. of Sciences of Occupational Health, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. , O.ahmadi@modares.ac.ir
Article history
Received: 2015/04/11
Accepted: 2015/07/4
ePublished: 2015/09/28
Keywords: Explosion, Fire, Chemical, Index
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Introduction
Chemical and processing units are at risk of fire and explosion due to a variety of reasons including fire hazards, chemical reactivity, and leakage of materials. Catastrophic events, production cessation, and damage to the equipment and organizational investments may occur due to the lack of accurate recognition and assessment of these hazards. The accidents that occurred in the Flixborough chemical complex (England), Pasadena chemical complex (USA), Mexico City LPG Terminal, Feyzin Refinery (France), and Piper Alpha Oil Production Platform can be given as examples of these catastrophic events. Therefore, the mentioned hazards should be identified, assessed, and controlled to ensure the security of the processing industries (1).
Towards this goal, the processes of recognition and risk assessment of fire and explosion hazards have been performed through different methods. The occurrence of various accidents induced by fire and explosion hazards indicates that the classical techniques of risk assessment are not effective enough due to the unspecialized point of view to the risk assessment processes. Thus, accurate and dexterous methods are required to identify and assess fire and explosion risks from a specialized viewpoint. Dow’s Fire and Explosion Index (F&EI) has been recently developed to identify and investigate fire and explosion hazards. This index (which does not require high levels of specialty and details) calculates the general risks of processing units through a simple and comprehensive method.
This method is based on historical loss data, the energy potential of materials, and the extent to which loss prevention practices are currently applied. Dow uses numerical values of hazard factors associated with different material and process characteristics to determine fire and explosion hazards in a step-by-step objective evaluation. Therefore, incorporation of such a method (especially for recognizing the critical points) is indispensable due to its key advantages including economic identification, saving time and concentration on the fire and explosion control activities in important and critical sections. In addition to the investigation and quantification of total effective parameters in fire and explosion occurrence, Dow’s index can efficiently assess other useful information such as the maximum amount of potential damage, maximum days of production cessation in probable explosion and fire (2, 3). The main aim of this method was not to classify the facilities into safe and unsafe categories; however, a relative ranking of hazards and risks in an organization can be provided (4).
The F&EI was designed by Dow and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) in 1967. This method has since been revised six times. Its last revision (7th edition) was published by Suardin (5). Etowa et al. developed a computer program based on this method to automate F&EI calculation (6). Different researches have been conducted on the incorporation of this method in different applications. Etowa et al. employed this method to investigate the inherent safety of reservoirs used for storing methyl isocyanate(6). Rigas et al. performed a comprehensive study for the safety analysis of a new production line in a pesticide factory in Northern Italy using Dow’s method(7) In this regard, Suardin (5) and Hendershot(8) can also be studied.
Moreover, Ahmadi et al. conducted a study for the rational ranking of fire and explosion hazards in a petrochemical industry (9). The quantitative determination of fire and explosion risk in a processing unit was also performed by Ahmadi et al. (10).
The main aims of the present study were to identify fire and explosion hazards and assess the induced risk in a processing company. Other goals of the study were to predict the maximum probable damage and determine the maximum number of days of production cessation using Dow’s F&EI, and to present appropriate control guidelines.

Material and Methods
The present qualitative case study was performed on a processing company (in Southern Iran) in 2015 using Dow’s F&EI. Dow’s index was first introduced in 1964 by a chemical materials production company named Dow. It has since then been revised 6 times and the last version was presented in 1994. Dow’s F&EI (as one of the specific and useful methods for risk assessment and evaluation of the damage induced by fire and explosion in processing industries) has provided an appropriate framework for identification and assessment of fire and explosion damages. It has also provided effective ways for controlling of the identified hazards. This method calculates the risks of fire and explosion hazard in processing units in a simple, fast, and comprehensive way. Moreover, it does not require high level of specialty and process details(11, 12).
The implementation process of the present study is defined in the following stages.
Preliminary data collection: In the first stage, the required information were obtained for coordinates of units’ installation and location, equipment, and the main piping routes and cables by investigation of the plot plan. In addition, the required information on the schematic view of the studied system, the flow between the principal system elements, and the basic design, such as quantity and quality of the utilized materials in the processes, were collected by investigating the process flow diagrams (PFDs). The required detailed information on the relationship between the parts, machines, valves, fittings, and other mechanical parts were determined using piping and instrumentation diagrams/drawings (P&IDs) (3).
Processing units: After the preliminary data collection and familiarization with the processes, the studied company was classified into processing units. In this study, the processing unit was defined as an element from the processing equipment that could be investigated as an independent system such as reactor, distillation column, absorption tower, compressor, pump, furnace, and reservoir. Any identified processing unit was then accurately investigated in terms of stock materials, the materials’ potential chemical energy, operational conditions, records of past damages, and its potential ability to stop the production. The effects of the mentioned parameters were investigated on the whole process regarding fire and explosion to select those processing units that had severe adverse effects on the process (2, 3).
Material factor (MF): In this stage, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the chemicals were determined, and based on that, the material factors were calculated for each processing unit. Material factor can be defined as the material’s emission intensity and release of potential energy which may be calculated by considering its flammability and
reactivity. The material factor usually ranges from 1 to 40 and can be determined based on standards NFPA-325M and NFPA-49 considering material flammability (NF) and reactivity (NR).

The calculated parameter is the base factor representing the hazard level at surrounding environment’s temperature and pressure conditions. The material factors were revised because the environmental conditions differed from the processing conditions in the studied units. Since, several materials were usually used in each processing unit, the maximum values between the calculated material factors were considered according to the weight percentage of the material(3, 11).
Process general hazards factor: In this stage, the process’s general hazards (which are generally classified into 6 main categories) were identified. Since existence of these hazards in processing units could induce the risk of fire and explosion, a specific penalty value was assigned for each of the identified hazards according to table 1. Clearly, the higher levels of hazards induced received higher penalty. Furthermore, the penalty value was ignored if there was no hazard. Finally, the total values of the assigned penalties were calculated for the identified hazards and process general hazards factor (F1) was obtained for the processing units by addition of 1 to its value (2, 3).

Table 1: General process hazards and corresponding penalties
Penalty value Description General process hazards (F1or GPHs)
0.30 Mild reactions such as hydrogenation, hydrolysis, isomerization, sulfating, and neutralization Exothermic chemical processes
0.50 Moderate reactions such as alkylation, esterification, oxidation, polymerization, condensation, and incremental reactions
1.00 Severe reactions within which the control of reaction conditions was difficult and critical such as halogenation
1.25 Sensitive exothermic chemical processes such as nitration
0.20 Endothermic chemical reactions that occurred in the reactor Endothermic chemical processes
0.40 Endothermic chemical reactions that occurred in the reactors and their energy sources were provided from combustion of solid, liquid, and gas fuels such as lime production (calcination) and materials pyrolysis induced by direct contact with fire
0.50 Performance of loading and unloading of grade one flammable liquids and liquid pressurized gases (LPG) in one way in a continuous or discontinuous way Manual handling, transportation and material warehousing
0.50 Those processes within which the detonative mixes may appear during material addition (induced by contact with air) or other reactivity hazards may be revealed such as centrifuge, discontinuous or interrupted reactions, and modular mixing.
The following penalties have been applied according to the materials in cases in which they were stored in roofed warehouses or outdoor environment (unroofed warehouses).
0.85 Flammable gases or liquids with NF = 3 or 4
0.65 Volatile solids with NF = 3
0.40 Volatile solids with NF = 2
0.65 Flammable liquids with 140 ºF/60 ºC < FPclosed cup > 100 ºF/37.8 ºC 12 140°F60°C<FPclosed cup>100°F37/8°C" id="_x0000_i1048" src="file:///C:UsersMISALI~1AppDataLocalTempmsohtmlclip1�1clip_image001.png" style="width:117.75pt; height:19.5pt" >
Note: The penalty value was increased by 0.2 if the mentioned materials were stored in racks lacking rack sprinkler.
0.50 In cases in which the filters or dust collectors were in a closed area Enclosed/closed or internal processing units
0.30 Processes within which flammable liquids were incorporated in temperatures higher than their flash points
0.45 In cases in which the flammable liquid mass was higher than 10 Mlb
0.60 Processes within which LPG or flammable liquids were incorporated in temperatures higher than their boiling point
0.90 In cases in which the liquid weight was more than 10000 lb (equal to 1000 American gallons)
Note: The penalty values were decreased up to 50% if appropriate ventilation systems were installed for the above mentioned cases.
0.35 In cases of inappropriate accessibility to the processing regions with area of more than 10000 ft2 (925 m2) Accessibility
0.35 In case of inappropriate accessibility to the warehouses with area of more than 25000 ft2 (2312 m2)
In processes within which flammable materials were incorporated in flash points of above 140 ºF or for materials that were employed in process condition above their flash point if Drainage and leakage control
0.50 Barrier walls existed which surrounded the equipment capable of causing fire
0.50 A flat area existed near the processing unit which facilitated the materials leakage development and exposed the region to high risk of fire
0.00 Barrier walls existed that surrounded the processing unit from three sides which guided the leaked materials to a discharge pool or covered drainage canal
0.50 Pools or discharge canals in a processing unit passing telephone and electricity lines specified regions or the safe distances from these lines were not considered in processing unit design

Process-specific hazards factor: The process-specific hazards factor (F2) (that is classified into 12 main categories) was identified in this stage. A certain penalty value was considered for any identified hazards according to the manual indicated in table 2 by considering the risk of fire and explosion that may be caused by these hazards. The penalty value was increased for higher levels of process-specific hazards. Finally, the total penalties assigned to the identified process-specific hazards were calculated, and by addition of +1 to its value, factor F2 was obtained for processing units (2, 3).
Processing unit hazards factor: The hazards factor of the processing units (F3) was calculated using the following equation (3):
 
Table 2: Specific process hazards and corresponding penalties

 
Dow’s fire and explosion index: Dow’s fire and explosion index was calculated for each processing unit using the following equation (3):
 
Fire and explosion hazards level: In this stage, the level of fire and explosion hazards was determined for each processing unit according to table 3 after calculation of Dow’s index (3).
Exposure radius and area of exposure: Using Dow’s index, the exposure radius (ER) and area of exposure (AOE) were calculated with the following equations (3):

 
Table 3: Determination of fire and explosion hazards level
Hazards level assessment
(According to the 5-7th revisions)
Dow’s F&EI index limit
Low/slight 1-50
Limited 51-81
Average 82-107
High/heavy 108-133
Severe ≥ 134

Value of area exposed: The value of area exposed (VAE) was calculated (in million dollars) in two forms of original value (OV) and replacement value (RV) for each processing unit. The original value (OV) could be determined through the multiplication of the AOE by principal original cost density (OCD) as presented in the following equation (3):
 
The principal original cost density (OCD) was calculated by dividing the investment value by the total production elements values. The investment value can be defined as the monetary values of the physical investments in the studied case unit, such as equipment, machines, tools, structures, and buildings. The total values of the production elements can also be defined as the monetary values of all elements effective on production. This parameter can be calculated for the studied processing unit by addition of investment value to the costs related to the labor force, consumed material, energy, and etc.
The replacement value (RV) was also calculated using the following equation (3):
 
Where EF is the escalation factor that is equal
to inflation (in the year in which the research was conducted) summed by 1. In the present study, the inflation was considered as 15%.

Damage Factor: The damage factor (DF) was obtained for each processing unit by consideration of figure 1, the material factor, and F3 parameter (2, 3, 12).
Figure 1: Determination of the hazard factor

Maximum Probable Property Damage: The value of the maximum probable property damage (MPPD) was calculated for each processing unit by multiplication of the value of area exposed by damage factor as presented in the following equation (3):

Credit Factor:
The damage control credit factor (CF) was calculated with the following equation:

 
Table 4: Determination of the process control factor
Row Description Process control factor (C1)
a Existence of emergency electricity 0.98
b Existence of cooling systems 0.97-0.99
c Existence of explosion control systems 0.84-0.98
d Existence of emergency stop systems 0.96-0.99
e Existence of computer control 0.93-0.99
f Incorporation of noble gases in the process 0.94-0.96
g Existence of operational manuals 0.91-0.99
h Investigation of chemical reactions 0.91-0.98
i Analysis of process hazards 0.91-0.98

Table 5: Determination of the material separation factor
Row Description Materials separation factor (C2)
a Remote control valves 0.96-0.98
b Waste discharge/pressurized discharge 0.96-0.98
c Drainage 0.91-0.97
d Automatic locks 0.98

Where C1 is the process control factor, C2 is the material separation factor, and C3 is the fire protection factor and its value was determined according to tables 4, 5, and 6. Each of the factors of C1 to C3 consists of a set of safety and control measures. The process control factor (C1) is defined as the parameter that reduces the probability and the risk intensity of the probable fire and explosion in a processing unit. Materials separation factor reduces the probability and the risk intensity of the probable material fire and explosion. In addition, the fire protection factor (C3) reduces the probability and risk intensity of probable fire and explosion through reactive and preventive control actions. In this stage, the effectiveness of each mentioned control and safety action was accurately investigated on reducing the fire and explosion intensity and probability levels. Specific values were then assigned to each of these factors according to their limitations. It is noteworthy that no value would be assigned to the corresponding factor if none of the mentioned control and safety measures existed in the factors, or despite their existence, they were not effective enough to control the losses. After determination of the control and safety measures, their multiplication was used as the credit factor (3).
Actual maximum probable property damage: The actual maximum probable property damage (MPPD) (the most probable actual damage) was determined for each processing unit using the following equation (3):

Maximum probable days outage factor: The factor of maximum probable days outage (MPDO) was determined by considering the MPPD and confidence level of below 70% using the following equation:


where, X is the actual MPPD factor (3).

Business interruption loss factor: The business interruption (BI) loss factor was determined (in million dollars) for each processing unit using the following equation:

Where, VPM is the monthly production value in million dollars (2, 3, 12-14).

Table 6: Determination of the fire protection and prevention factor
Row Description Fire protection and prevention factor (C3)
a Existence of leakage identification system 0.94-0.98
b Existence of steel structures 0.95-0.98
c Existence of water resources for extinguishing a fire 0.94-0.97
d Existence of special systems 0.91
e Existence of sprinklers 0.74-0.97
f Existence of water curtains 0.97-0.98
g Existence of fire extinguishing suds 0.92-0.97
h Existence of handy fire extinguishers 0.93-0.98
i Existence of shields for cables 0.94-0.98

Table 7: Processing units with their materials and material factors
No. Processing unit Material/main materials Material factor Replaced material factor
1 Reactor R-A Hydrogen, butane, ethane, and methane 21 21
2 Reactor R-B Hydrogen, methane, and heptane 21 21
3 Reactor R-C Hydrogen, propane, and propylene 21 21
4 Tower DC1 Benzene, toluene, and xylene 16 21
5 Tower DC2 Ethylene dichloride 16 21
6 Tower DC3 Diethyl ether 21 21
7 Tower AC1 Naphtha 16 21
8 Tower AC3 Methyl ethyl ketone 16 16
9 Furnace F3 Diesel fuel 10 16
10 Reservoir ST1 Naphtha 16 21
11 Reservoir ST2 Hydrogen 21 21

Results
In total, 11 processing units that had adverse effects on the whole process were chosen to be studied including reactors (R-A, R-B, and R-C), towers (DC1, DC2, DC3, AC3, and AC3), furnace (F3), and reservoirs (ST1 and ST2). The initial and revised materials factors were obtained after determination of quantitative and qualitative properties of the chemical materials for each processing unit (Table 7). The highest material factor was obtained for Reactor R-A, Reactor R-B, Reactor R-C, Tower DC3, and Reservoir ST2 (equal to 21), and lowest material factor was obtained for Furnace F3 (equal to 10).
Furthermore, the general and special process hazards (GPHs and SPHs) were identified at each processing unit and are provided in table 8. Reactor R-B and Reactor R-C, respectively, with 2.20 and 2.10, and Reactor R-A with 1.25 had the highest and the lowest GPH factors, respectively. The SPH factor (F1) was calculated for each identified hazard according to the existing manuals and Tower DC3 and Reservoir ST2 had the highest (6.80) and lowest values (4.20), respectively (Table 8). F3 (or PUHF) was determined for each processing unit and Reactor R-C (14.60) and Reservoir ST2 (6.30) had the highest and the lowest values, respectively (Table 8).
 Dow’s F&EI and the fire and explosion hazards level are illustrated in table 8. According to the results, Reactor R-C (306.6) and Reservoir ST1 (120) had the maximum and minimum fire and explosion indices, respectively. Fire and explosion hazards level was severe for all units except reservoirs ST1 and ST2; the hazards levels for these two units were high.

Table 8: Fire and explosion index and hazards level
General Process Hazards Factor Special Process Hazards Factor Processing Unit Hazards Factor Dow’s fire and explosion index Fire and explosion hazards level
Reactor R-A 1.25 6.75 8.43 177.03 Severe
Reactor R-B 2.20 5.50 12.10 254.10 Severe
Reactor R-C 2.10 6.95 14.60 306.60 Severe
Tower DC1 1.50 4.50 6.75 141.75 Severe
Tower DC2 1.50 5.50 8.25 173.25 Severe
Tower DC3 1.50 6.80 10.20 214.20 Severe
Tower AC1 1.50 7.85 11.77 247.17 Severe
Tower AC3 1.50 6.75 10.12 161.92 Severe
Furnace F3 1.50 5.50 8.25 173.25 Severe
Reservoir ST1 1.50 5.00 7.50 120.00 High/heavy
Reservoir ST2 1.50 4.20 6.30 132.30 High/heavy

Table 9: Results of risk analysis for the processing units







Exposure radius Area of exposure Investment accumulation rate Value of area exposed Damage factor Maximum probable property damage Damage control credit factor Actual maximum probable property damage (million dollars) Maximum probable days outage Business interruption loss
Original value Replacement value
Reactor R-C 79 19597 0.00130 25.47 24.01 0.83 19.92 0.58 11.55 49 114
Reactor R-B 65 13266.5 0.00100 13.26 12.50 0.83 10.37 0.60 6.22 34 79
Tower AC1 63 12463 0.00141 17.57 16.56 0.83 13.74 0.62 8.51 41 96
Tower DC3 55 9498.5 0.00128 12.15 11.45 0.83 9.50 0.54 5.13 30 70
Reactor R-A 45 6358.5 0.00125 7.94 7.48 0.83 6.30 0.62 3.84 25 58
Tower DC2 44.5 6218 0.00135 8.39 7.91 0.83 6.56 0.61 4.00 26 61
Furnace F3 44.5 6218 0.00129 8.02 7.56 0.83 6.27 0.63 3.95 25 58
Tower AC3 41 5278 0.00135 7.28 8.86 0.68 4.66 0.48 2.23 18 42
Tower DC1 36 4069 0.00140 5.69 5.36 0.83 4.44 0.49 2.17 18 50
Reservoir ST2 34 3630 0.00126 4.57 4.30 0.77 3.31 0.59 1.95 17 40
Reservoir ST1 31 3018 0.00138 4.16 3.92 0.65 2.54 0.51 1.29 13 30

The risk of fire and explosion in processing units was investigated through the use of the calculated fire and explosion index (Table 9). Based on the results, the actual MPPDs for Reactor R-C and Reservoir ST1 were the highest (11.55) and lowest (1.29), respectively. The MPDO was determined for Reactor R-C (49 days). As can be observed in table 9, Furnace F3 and Tower AC3 had the maximum (0.63) and minimum (0.48) damage control credit factor, respectively. The Actual maximum and minimum probable property were, respectively, obtained for Reactor R-C (11.55 million dollars) and Reservoir ST1 (1.29 million dollars). Tower AC1 and Reactor R-B were at the next levels with actual MPPDs of equal to 8.51 and 6.22 million dollars, respectively. Moreover, maximum and minimum BI loss was obtained for Reactor R-C (114) and Reservoir ST1 (30), respectively. Maximum and minimum VAE was obtained for Reactor R-C (25.47) and Reservoir ST1 (4.16), respectively. The maximum and minimum investment accumulation rates (OCD) were obtained for Tower AC1 (0.00141) and Reactor R-B (0.00100), respectively. The maximum and minimum AOEs were that of Reactor R-C (19597) and Reservoir ST1 (3018), respectively. Furthermore, the maximum and minimum values of ERs were obtained for Reactor R-C (79) and Reservoir ST2 (34), respectively.

Discussion
The results of the present study indicated that Reactor R-C had the maximum F&EI. In addition, damage to property and production cessation days of Reactor R-B and Tower AC1 were at the second and third levels, respectively. The F3 of Reactor R-C was equal to 14.6 which was higher than the other units. Moreover, the F1 of this unit was 6.95 which was the highest value after Tower AC1 (F1 = 7.85). It was concluded that F3 and F1 can be important parameters in determining the risks of fire and explosion hazards level. This conclusion is in accordance with the results of researches conducted by Etowa et al. (5) and Suardin et al. (7) who have concluded that material usage reduction results in lower F&EI.
The obtained indices for the studied processing units were higher than the fire and explosion index of the isocyanate storage reservoir at Bupal event (F&EI was equal to 238) which caused about 2000 deaths and poisoning of 10000 individuals (13). This indicates the critical conditions of the mentioned processing units. However, the calculated value was less than the fire and explosion index obtained by Nezameddini et al. at an oil extraction company which was equal to 243.68 (15). The same index was obtained as 161 in the research conducted by Gupta et al. on an ammoniac synthesis reactor (12).
The other processing units were ranked according to their criticality (from high to low) as Tower DC3, Reactor R-A, Tower DC2, Furnace F3, Tower AC3, Tower DC1, Reservoir ST2, and Reservoirs ST1.
The results of the study indicated that the fire and explosion hazards level were severe at 82% of the studied processing units and heavy/high at the rest of units. This reveals the high level of fire and explosion hazards at the studied company. In the research conducted by Jafari et al. (16), the fire and explosion hazards level was determined as severe for 75% of the refinery Isomax unit. Results of the present study indicated that Reactor R-C had the maximum ER of 79 m, while ER was calculated as 41 m in the research conducted by Gupta et al. (12).
Furthermore, the costs of probable accidents were calculated as 51 million dollars with the induced 296 days of production cessation. The maximum cost of probable accidents was obtained for Reactor R-C as 11.55 million dollars while the same parameter was calculated as 21 million dollars in the research conducted by Gupta et al. on an ammoniac synthesis reactor (12). The estimated value represents the huge economic losses due to the occurrence of such accidents. The obtained value is the most realistic loss which is calculated by considering the existing safety and protective operations and equipment.
In some studies, the F&EI is successfully used as a tool to evaluate the inherent safety of the chemical process and it can provide a more understandable view of the process risks. In order to reduce the F&EI in the studied processing units, reduction of existing hazardous materials and processes operation pressure can be useful. The results of the study by Etowa et al. showed that when the operating pressure and the existing materials are reduced, F&EI is reduced in accordance with the principles of inherent immunity. However, changes in the amount of material in the processes had greater effect on the F&EI compared with pressure changes (6).
 F&EI is an important tool for the determination of the risk of industrial processes and over time its weaknesses have been eliminated. For example, Gupta et al. stated in their study that the current methods of F&EI calculation not consider control measures effect on the F&EI value Therefore this makes the industry consider more dangerous. They suggested that the effects of lack of control measures should be included in F&EI calculation (12). In addition, Suardin et al. suggested that F&EI can be used as a measure in the optimization of design by integrating the F&EI in design optimization (5).

Conclusion
Results of the present case study emphasized the existence of several weakness points at the selected unit by determining the fire and explosion hazards of its processing units. According to the identified hazards and parameters effective on their occurrence, it was concluded that the control and reduction of process hazards require incorporation of comprehensive engineering controls. Hence, Dow’s index may be incorporated as an efficient tool by process design engineers in achieving safe and low-hazard chemical processes. Thus, the utilization of this index is suggested at all stages of a chemical company’s life cycle for the prevention of fire and explosion accidents occurrence.

Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to all managers and staff of the studied processing company for their cooperation in this project.

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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