Investigation Report
First Chemical Corp. Reactive Chemical Explosion — Final Investigation Report
First Chemical Corp. Reactive Chemical Explosion — Final Investigation Report
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- ExplosionFireHazardous substancesProcess safety
- Pressure vesselProcess pipework and pipelinesValve
- Alarm managementEnergy and process isolationPressure reliefRisk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
Investigates the First Chemical Corporation explosion in Pascagoula, where mononitrotoluene decomposed in an idle distillation column. Valve leakage sustained heating despite apparent isolation. Chemical testing and equipment examination informed findings on reactive hazard evaluation, alarms, overpressure protection, isolation practices, control-room vulnerability and community notification.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Pressure relief; overpressure protection.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.