Fire at a Refinery
A fire occurred in a hydrogen and catalyst loading lines of heavy oil unit. The most likely cause was that a hydrogen purge pipeline failure allowing hydrogen to escape. This mixed with hot oil bringing the temperature to approximately 825 degrees F (441 degrees C), i.e. above the auto-ignition temperature.
Event Date
July 12, 1985
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
Leak, pipeline failure
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
hydrogen purge pipeline, catalyst loading lines of heavy oil unit
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Environmental Damage
0
Property Loss (onsite)
Y
Property Loss (offsite)
N
Event Nature
Emergency Action
Unknown
Release Type
Release Substance
Ignition Source
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
Extract from the ICHEME database on equipment details