Explosion During Reduction Process in Para-Phenetidine (PPD) Manufacturing
An explosion occurred during a reduction process for the manufacture of para-phenetidine (PPD). The explosion took place due to the convergence of several events. Workers did not firmly close a valve on discharge pipes of para-nitrophenetole (PNP) and forgot to close a valve fitted with an air-operated flow meter, so that hydrogen got into the PNP discharge pipes. With defects on the welded part of the pipes and corrosion by chlorine in PNP, the pipes got fractured to allow hydrogen to leak into the insulation cover of the PNP tank, where it accumulated to form explosive gas, which was ignited by electrostatic sparks generated when hydrogen was ejected.
Event Date
May 30, 1992
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
valves, para-phenetidine production unit
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Orignal source lost. RISCAD is closed.