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Refinery Explosion

Skikda, Algiers, Jan. 20, 2004

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The Incident

A defective, high pressure, steam boiler ruptured.

High vibrations were heard just before the boiler ruptured. (Two Phase Slug Flow?)

The resultant explosion on rupture damaged nearby vessels containing flammables.

The flammable Loss Of Containment resulted in further fires and explosions.

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Results

23 workers were killed.

Nine are still missing.

74 were injured.

$800,000,000 (U.S.) estimated property damage.

We have another “Flixborough” incident.

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Observations / Possible Causes

A foreman in a storage depot at the complex said he heard “Strange noises and abnormal vibrations coming from a boiler and valves before the main explosion.”

This is often symptomatic of two phase flow in the line to the boiler KO drum.

Two phase flow in the “Slug Flow” Regime will give you high vibrations.

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Flames light the sky after an explosion at Algeria's largest refinery and principal oil exporter in the port city of Skikda, 500 km (310 miles) east of the capital Algiers, early January 20, 2004. Rescue workers searched through rubble for missing worker on Tuesday after a huge explosion at its key gas installations killed 23 people on Monday evening, official media said.

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End of Presentation

More lessons to be learned.