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Deflated--victims of vacuum
1PPG Industries, P.O. Box 1000, Lake Charles, LA 70602, USA. rsanders@ppg.com
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|August 19, 2006
Summary
Partial vacuum conditions in chemical plant tanks can cause catastrophic failures. This review details three incidents, emphasizing the need for new employees to understand past problems and implement preventative measures against vacuum-induced damage.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Atmospheric pressure fluctuations and internal vacuum conditions pose significant risks to storage vessels in chemical plants and refineries.
- Vessel integrity is crucial for safe operations, yet failures due to vacuum can occur unexpectedly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To educate new chemical plant and refinery employees on the dangers of vacuum-induced vessel failures.
- To prevent future incidents by highlighting lessons learned from past catastrophic events.
Main Methods:
- Detailed review of three specific catastrophic vessel failures.
- Analysis of contributing factors, including siphoning, delivery processes, and steam condensation.
- Examination of other related incidents to identify common patterns.
Main Results:
- A 4000-gallon acid tank failure due to siphoning.
- Destruction of a tank truck during a routine delivery operation.
- Collapse of a large, new refinery vessel caused by steam condensation.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the historical failures related to vacuum conditions is essential for preventing future accidents.
- Implementing robust safeguards and procedures is critical to protect tanks from vacuum-related damage.