Skikda, Algiers, Jan. 20, 2004

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Skikda, Algiers, Jan. 20, 2004

• R.A. Hawrelak
• CBE 497
• CBE 317

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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.