Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 14535439 - One employee killed when pressure vessel explodes

Accident Summary Nr: 14535439 -- Report ID: 0830300 -- Event Date: 11/21/1985
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
640144	11/25/1985	2911	0	Phillips Petroleum Company - Tioga Gas Plant

Abstract: An unfired pressure vessel with a 6,500 gallon liquid capacity, which was designed and manufactured to be used for propane gas storage, was being used at this natural gas processing refinery as an accumulator. The tank was subjected to forces greater than those for which it was designed, and it developed severe stress cracks. The tank, operating at approximately 250 psi, failed and exploded. Large quantities of flammable vapors from liquid hydrocarbons were released and ignited, causing a second explosion. Employee #1 was killed by the explosion. A large portion of the refinery was destroyed.

Keywords: FLAMMABLE VAPORS, PRESSURE VESSEL, WORK RULES, FIRE, NATURAL GAS, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, EXPLOSION, HIGH PRESSURE, REFINERY

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	640144			Fatality	Other	Occupation not reported

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