Accidental Explosion Case Study

Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery vapor cloud explosion, 26 June 2000

Quentin A. Baker

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Sequence of EventsJune 26, 2000

TimeEvent03:55Shift leader smelled hydrocarbon while driving by. Called fire departmentObserved ice block 2 x 2m on several pipes; vertical plume emanating from the iceFire department put water on the plume to knock down vaporsAttempts to identify which pipe was leaking and to isolate the pipe~04:57Pipe ruptured; Evacuated the area+5-7 minExplosion; most witness report a single big explosion; no accounts of prolonged delays

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Release Location

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North Section of Ruptured PipelineSouth Section of Ruptured Pipeline

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Rheniformer UnitsFin Fans

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Condensate Composition

Material%Vol%VolC12.281.9C28.6C336.5iC48.8nC425.8iC56.618.1nC57.5C62.6C7+1.1Other0.3

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Flammable Cloud10 inch pipe450 psig condensateDischarge rate 926 kg/s (2042 lb/s)LFL up to 550 mFlammable mass up to 79,000 lbLFLWind NW @ 11 kn

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Apparent Direction of Flame TravelIgnition

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Buildings to East

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Collapse of Masonry Buildings

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Typical Blast Damage IndicatorsWindow and Masonry Wall

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Pressure Contours (0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 psi)1 psi @ 1139 ft

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Impulse Contours (30, 50, 100, 300, 500 psi-ms)100 psi-ms @ 2500 ft

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Best EstimateBest estimate is Case 2: 7.39 x 1011 in-lb (83,530 MJ)Equivalent to ~ 6,040 lb (2,740 kg) of condensateEquivalent to ~ 40,800 lb (18,500 kg) TNTAbout 5.2% of the the flammable cloudCurrent Technology Cooperative methodology about 9% higher than Best Estimate

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Furnace Damage

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Sway of Equipment Foundation Damage, Secondary Leaks

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LossesFour fatalities, 50 injuries (low staffing at 5:00 a.m.)Estimated property damage ~$450MMEstimated business interruption ~500MMLoss of 485,000 bpd refining capacity to meet country demands