The Flixborough Disaster

Usher, Alan

doi:10.1177/002581727904700303

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Consequently, a method was introduced in the petrochemical industry to place different chemical equipment, such as heat exchangers and distillation columns, at safe distances. 3 Recently, on May 22, 2022, an explosion occurred at a petrochemical plant in Omaha, USA. Chemical accidents cause property and personal damage because of fires or explosions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the 1974 Flixborough disaster in England, a 15‐ton explosion occurred when converted to TNT (trinitrotoluene), resulting in a major accident that killed 28 people. Consequently, a method was introduced in the petrochemical industry to place different chemical equipment, such as heat exchangers and distillation columns, at safe distances 3 . Recently, on May 22, 2022, an explosion occurred at a petrochemical plant in Omaha, USA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A gas detector planning method that considers the area and zone based on the range of influence of chemicals with high vapor pressure

Kim

Lee

Yoon

et al. 2023

Process Safety Progress

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In some countries with high population densities including Korea, chemical plants are densely distributed, and strict regulations are imposed. According to the Chemical Control Act, one gas detector must be installed every 10 m indoors and 20 m outdoors around a facility. However, the diffusion of chemicals should be evaluated based on area rather than perimeter. In the US and EU, gas detector locations are selected through chemical accident modeling. Here, we evaluated the feasibility of gas detector installation standards in the Chemicals Control Act by comparing highly volatile and toxic chemicals with sulfuric acid (relatively low volatility). Consequently, we suggested an appropriate installation location and number of gas detectors for initial countermeasures. For nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid, there was a difference in the number of detectors recommended via modeling and the number of detectors legally required. For the mezzanine design, four gas detectors should be installed on each floor in a 5‐story building; however, the modeling results showed that installing one was sufficient. For sulfuric acid with low vapor pressure, it is equitable to install a leak detector rather than a gas detector. Overall, regulations should be continuously evaluated for the response and prevention of chemical accidents.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%