Texas LPG fire

Texas LPG fire: Domino effects triggered by natural hazards

Naderpour, Mohsen (University of Technology Sydney)
Khakzad, N. (TU Delft Safety and Security Science)

2018

On February 2007, a massive fire in a propane de-asphalting unit in an oil refinery in Texas, USA happened due to liquid propane release from a cracked pipe in a control station injuring four people, damaging extensive equipment, causing significant business interruption, and resulting in more than $50 million losses. The accident was triggered by a natural hazard: freezing of piping at a control station caused an inlet pipe elbow to crack, which in turn, led to the release of high-pressure liquid propane which was rapidly ignited. In addition, there were two near-miss events due to potential domino effects. In fact, the accident could reasonably have resulted in much more severe consequences due to the exposure of large butane storage spheres and chlorine containers, increasing the possibility of a catastrophic domino effect. This paper develops a Natech (natural hazard triggering technological disasters) risk assessment methodology that relies upon Bayesian network capabilities and takes into account the potential Natech domino effects. The methodology is implemented in the intended refinery and mathematically graphically represents the dynamic cause–effect relations between units involved in the scenario, and handles uncertainties among the interactions. In addition, the methodology can provide a risk value for the entire scenario that can be used further for risk-based decision making.

Bayesian network
Domino effect
Natech accident
Risk assessment

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:bd535ca0-2ce5-49ac-bc4c-70a8c2e2f6e2

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2018.03.008

2020-03-20

0957-5820

Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 116, 354-364

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2018 Mohsen Naderpour, N. Khakzad