How did the BP Oil Refinery explosion 2005 happen?
It is one of the worst industrial disasters to date. The explosion was caused by the overfilling of the raffinate splitter tower and a blowdown drum releasing hot hydrocarbons. The resulting vapour cloud ignited, destroying the ISOM unit.
How many people died in Texas City refinery explosion?
Fifteen workers
At approximately 1:20 p.m. on March 23, 2005, a series of explosions occurred at the BP Texas City refinery during the restarting of a hydrocarbon isomerization unit. Fifteen workers were killed and 180 others were injured. Many of the victims were in or around work trailers located near an atmospheric vent stack.
Which unit was involved in the Texas refinery explosion in 2005?
The Texas City Refinery explosion occurred on March 23, 2005, when a vapor cloud of natural gas and petroleum ignited and violently exploded at the isomerization (ISOM) process unit at the BP Texas City refinery in Texas City, Texas, killing 15 workers, injuring 180 others and severely damaging the refinery.
What went wrong oil refinery disaster?
As workers restarted a component of the unit, abnormal pressure built up in the production tower, and so three relief valves opened to allow highly volatile gasoline components to escape to the 10 x 20-ft. “blowdown” drum. But so much fuel flooded into the drum that its capacity was rapidly exceeded.
Is raffinate flammable?
Hazard statements : Extremely flammable liquid and vapour. May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. Causes skin irritation. May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
What happened at the Texas City Refinery in 2005?
Texas City Refinery explosion. The Texas City Refinery explosion occurred on March 23, 2005, when a hydrocarbon vapor cloud was ignited and violently exploded at the ISOM isomerization process unit at BP’s Texas City refinery in Texas City, Texas, killing 15 workers, injuring more than 180 others and severely damaging the refinery.
How many people died in the BP Oil Refinery explosion?
Firefighting water canons are trained on the damaged BP oil refinery in Texas City, TX in the aftermath of March 23rd, 2005 explosion & fire. Fifteen workers were killed and another 180 injured in the disaster.
What was the cause of the Texas City Refinery explosion?
Texas City Refinery explosion. BP’s own accident investigation report stated that the direct cause of the accident was “[…]heavier–than-air hydrocarbon vapors combusting after coming into contact with an ignition source, probably a running vehicle engine. The hydrocarbons originated from liquid overflow from the F-20 blowdown stack following…
What went wrong at BP’s refinery?
Both BP and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board reports identified numerous technical and organizational failings at the refinery and within corporate BP.