Explosion of hydrogen and gas oil with subsequent fire at a refinery

The incident occurred at a heat exchanger involving gas-product mixture. The source does not specify the process, with as main component a furnace, probably a hydrodesulphurisation reactor. Due to a leak in the pipe, the mixture was released and formed a vapour cloud. Following ignition, a fire developed at the leaking point.
The plant fire brigade was alerted and laid a foam carpet over the entire area. The furnace system, the as circulation compressor and the injection pump were switched off in an emergency. The emergency expansion valve was opened and nitrogen was fed into the circuit.
No injuries, only equipment damage.

A material failure was suspected to as INITIATING CAUSE of the leak. Nothing is known on the operative aspects of the event.

pipe, heat exchangeer

There were no personal injuries. The property damage due to partial destruction of equipment as a result of the fire amounted to 500,000 euros. There was no environmental damage.

The fire was limited to the vicinity of the ruptured reactor and was extinguished within twenty minutes by onsite emergency services (four people).

After the accident, the plant was shut-down and the reactor purged. Its contents was removed and the reactor was prepared to open it to allow an internal examination.

A revision and expansion of the wall thickness measuring programs, to be able to detect on time critical loos of resistance and percent loss of confinement.