Safety Flash
Condensate leak
Condensate leak
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 12/16
- Competence and TrainingHydrocarbon ReleaseProcess SafetyStructural and Asset Integrity
- Hydrocarbon releaseMechanical failureStructural and asset integrity
- Process pipework and pipelines
- Competence and training
Summary
A condensate outlet line cracked under vibration following changed plant flowrates, releasing around 8 kg per second and taking 90 minutes to stop. No injuries occurred. The flash highlights design shortcomings, habituation to vibration and specialist competence gaps, stressing engineering advice and the risks of constraining vibrating pipework.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Summary
Vibration caused a cracked condensate outlet line to release condensate at a high flow rate.
IMCA SF 12/16. Themes: competence and training, hydrocarbon release, process safety, structural and asset integrity.