Investigation Report
Williams Olefins Plant Explosion and Fire
Williams Olefins Plant Explosion and Fire
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- ExplosionHot Work and FireHydrocarbon ReleaseProcess Safety
- ExplosionFireHydrocarbon releasePressure systemsProcess safety
- Pressure vesselValve
- Management of changeOperating and work proceduresPressure reliefRisk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
Summary
CSB case study examines the fatal Williams Geismar reboiler rupture, BLEVE and fire. It analyses likely liquid thermal expansion in standby equipment lacking effective pressure relief, alongside shortcomings in change management, hazard analysis and operating procedures. Metallurgical testing, finite element analysis and process modelling inform the failure assessment and recommendations.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pressure relief; overpressure protection.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Summary
A fire and explosion occurred on Thursday June 13, 2013, which fatally injured two workers at the William Olefins, Inc., plant located in Geismar, Louisiana.
Themes: explosion, hot work and fire, hydrocarbon release, process safety.