Investigation Report
Optima Belle Explosion and Fire
Optima Belle Explosion and Fire
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- ExplosionHot Work and FireProcess Safety
- ExplosionFireHazardous substancesProcess safety
- Pressure vessel
- Operating and work procedures
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
An interim CSB investigation update describes a fatal dryer explosion during trial dehydration of sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate at Optima Belle in West Virginia. It outlines vacuum drying, steam heating, sampling and temperature changes, alongside decomposition hazards. Explosion debris caused a neighbouring methanol pipeline fire; the initiating conditions remain under investigation.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Themes: explosion, hot work and fire, process safety.