A propane gas cloud was released into the atmosphere when the bottom valve of a polymerisation tank was opened to collect and remove spent powder. The powder on the floor unexpectedly started evaporating hydrocarbons, and a propane cloud drifted quickly through the plant and ignited at the pump station area. Although the flash fire was promptly extinguished, one person was killed and several were injured. A detailed investigation was carried out to define the sequences and ìdentify the most likely causes of the accident. Starting from the immediate cause, differerent sub steps were identified as possibie underlying causes, in order to identify possible deficiencies in the safety mariagement system or safety culture of the company. Conclusions are drawn about practical recommendations to improve safety in dumping activities within a polymerisation plant. The incident clearly shows how an effective HSE management system could have prevented or minimised the occurrence of such an unwanted event.

Investigation and analysis of a propane release and flash fire during a polymerisation reactor dumping

CURRO', FABIO;FABIANO, BRUNO
2014-01-01

Abstract

A propane gas cloud was released into the atmosphere when the bottom valve of a polymerisation tank was opened to collect and remove spent powder. The powder on the floor unexpectedly started evaporating hydrocarbons, and a propane cloud drifted quickly through the plant and ignited at the pump station area. Although the flash fire was promptly extinguished, one person was killed and several were injured. A detailed investigation was carried out to define the sequences and ìdentify the most likely causes of the accident. Starting from the immediate cause, differerent sub steps were identified as possibie underlying causes, in order to identify possible deficiencies in the safety mariagement system or safety culture of the company. Conclusions are drawn about practical recommendations to improve safety in dumping activities within a polymerisation plant. The incident clearly shows how an effective HSE management system could have prevented or minimised the occurrence of such an unwanted event.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/697572
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