Philadelphia Energy Solutions vs. Chemical Safety Board
Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery fire and explosions last June caused by an old, degraded piece of metal pipe. The pipe is still testing for corrosion, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.
The pipe fitting gave way around 4 am on June 21. It released propane, having more than 3,200 pounds of highly toxic chemical hydrofluoric acid that escaped into the atmosphere.
Also, three separate explosions then heave pieces of the refinery across the Schuylkill River and highways. It caused a gleam that was visible for miles and destroyed an alkylation unit that uses HF to produce high-octane gasoline.
The explosion injured five people, and no one died. However, Philadelphia Energy Solutions filed for bankruptcy one month later. Also, it shut down the 335,000 bp/d refinery, the largest on the U.S. East Coast.
CSB Director says they need to focus on making sure that such an explosion at a refinery won’t happen anymore. Besides, it is just a matter of time before the truths are just a little different, and people will die or get injured.
The report confirmed that the company will say it is caused by released hydrofluoric acid is the cause of the explosion. HF can burn the lungs, skin, and eyes. Also, it can be fatal.
Moreover, a process operator at the plan rapidly activated a fail-safe that dumped a large quantity of the acid into a secured vessel.
CSB officials said they were oblivious of health complaints to the leaked chemical. Also, reporters spoke to residents of the South Philadelphia neighborhood surrounding the refinery. Days after the fire, some complained of burning eyes, itchy skin, and other symptoms linked to HF exposure.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions on Hydrofluoric Acid
Hydrofluoric acid has come under judgment by the CSB. Also, refinery worker unions for its use in U.S. refineries in populated areas.
The breached pipe fitting, an elbow found to have a metal composition that includes high levels of copper and nickel. The firm failed to meet industry standards.
After the explosion, the thinnest portion of the pipe fitting found to be half the thickness of a card.
Furthermore, to detect corrosion, the broader pipe system in the destroyed unit measures for thickness. But the piece of pipe was not.
Pipe disgraced by corrosion caused a 2012 explosion at Chevron Corp’s Richmond, California refinery. Also, a 2009 blast at the Silver Eagle refinery in Woods Cross, Utah.
The board has no enforcement power but authorized under the U.S. Clean Air Act. It is to determine the cause of chemical plant incidents and make suggestions to prevent them.
CSB will issue a final report with recommendations early next week. Besides, the investigation is still ongoing.
Other local and federal agencies also investigate the incident.
The U.S. representative says once the investigation is complete and the firm found accountable they should be responsible for it.
The representative criticized PES for how the company handled the closure of its refinery. She added that the company could not just walk away from its workers and the community.
In September, reports said PES executives paid $4.5 million in retention bonuses days after the fire. Also, about 1,100 refinery workers laid off without health benefits or severance pay.
