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Process Safety Beacon: Investigating a Steam Pipe Failure

Process Safety Beacon

June

2017

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A 36-in. (~1-m) section of a 12-in.-dia. (30.5-cm), 600-psig (~41-barg) steam pipe in a large chemical plant suddenly ruptured, causing major damage in November 1998. The pipe was located upstream of a decommissioned venturi flowmeter. Steam supply throughout the plant was lost, the steam generation equipment shut down, and there was no production in most of the plant for more than five days. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

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Process Safety Beacon: Investigating a Steam Pipe Failure

A 36-in. (~1-m) section of a 12-in.-dia. (30.5-cm), 600-psig (~41-barg) steam pipe in a large chemical plant suddenly ruptured, causing major damage in November 1998. The pipe was located upstream of a decommissioned venturi flowmeter. Steam supply throughout the plant was lost, the steam generation...

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