Skikda, Algiers, Jan.

20, 2004

R.A. Hawrelak
CBE 497
CBE 317
 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.
 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.
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.
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.
 End of Presentation
• More lessons to be learned.