An eight-inch-diameter pipeline operating at approximately 700-pounds-per-square-inch ruptured, releasing a mix of ethane and propane. The record low temperature of 10°F for the region is believed to have contributed to the rupture. After a few minutes, the resulting release was ignited, causing a vapor cloud explosion. The explosion shattered windows up to six miles awayContinue reading “Exxonmobil (Baton Rouge) Explosion 1989”
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Lama Explosion 1993
An apparent failure of a propane intercooler liquid level control during unsupervised maintenance led to an explosion and fire. The control room on the main platform was destroyed and adjacent platforms were affected by the blast wave. There were 11 fatalities. [ Property Damage $100 Million. Estimated Current Value $194 Million ] Image credit: PDVSA
Romeoville Refinery Explosion 1984
Just prior to the rupture of a 55-feet-tall, 8.5-feet diameter monoethanolamine absorber column, a refinery operator noted a six-inch-long horizontal crack at a circumferential weld which was leaking propanes. As the operator attempted to close the inlet valve, the crack spread to about 24 inches. The area was being evacuated and the plant fire brigadeContinue reading “Romeoville Refinery Explosion 1984”