Bulletin
BP America (Texas City) Refinery Explosion — Safety Bulletin: Positive Material Verification
BP America (Texas City) Refinery Explosion — Safety Bulletin: Positive Material Verification
- CSB
- Bulletin
- FireHydrogen safetyPressure systemsStructural and asset integrity
- Inspection and maintenance
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Non-destructive testing
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
This bulletin examines the July 2005 hydrogen-fed fire at BP’s Texas City refinery. A carbon steel elbow substituted during maintenance failed through high-temperature hydrogen attack. It discusses interchangeable piping components, material verification using x-ray fluorescence, component tracking and maintenance quality controls to prevent incompatible material substitutions.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hydrogen safety.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Non-destructive testing; NDT; non-destructive examination; NDE.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.