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.