Reactor Rupture Causes Fire in Naphtha Cracker, Reducing Ethylene Production
The fire developed on one of two naphtha crackers The rupture of the reactor made that the hydrogen, petroleum products and the pyrophoric catalyst came outside the reactor. The mixture immediately caught fire in the air. The fire was brief but intense. The fire reduced ethylene production by 40% for two weeks. The release species were: benzene: 12 tonnes; hHydrogen: amount unknown; catalyst : amount unknown.
Event Date
December 23, 1994
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Causes
Cause Comments
Unknown
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
vent stack of a hydrochloric acid plant
Storage/Process Medium
Location Type
Location description
Industrial Area
Operational Condition
Consequences
Number of Injured Persons
2
Currency
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
Unknown
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The fire brigade have control of the fire after 45 minutes.
Release Type
Release Substance
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Source Category
References
References
eMARS database
ARIA database, event 22301