Investigation Report
Silver Eagle Refinery Flash Fire and Explosion and Catastrophic Pipe Explosion
Silver Eagle Refinery Flash Fire and Explosion and Catastrophic Pipe Explosion
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- ExplosionHot Work and FireHydrocarbon ReleaseProcess Safety
- CorrosionExplosionHydrogen safetyLoss of containmentPressure systems
- Inspection and maintenance
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Non-destructive testing
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Metallurgical investigation of a refinery discharge-pipe rupture during hot hydrogen catalyst regeneration in Woods Cross, Utah. Ultrasonic thickness measurements, chemical analysis, metallography and fracture alignment document internal wall thinning. The findings are consistent with sulfidation corrosion as the primary cause; gas-release calculations and security-video analysis examine the subsequent explosion.
Classifications: Corrosion; corrosion damage.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Hydrogen safety.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
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.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.
Themes: explosion, hot work and fire, hydrocarbon release, process safety.