(108c) Loss of Dcs Operator Interface during Electrical Disturbance

During Hurricane Ike in September of 2009, one of Eastman's cracking plants experienced an electrical supply disturbance which caused loss of the cracked gas compressor turbine governor, complete loss of the DCS process interface, and complete loss of several other PLC and process control computers. This paper will describe the impact of the event on plant operation and how the plant was operated through the event. The paper will also provide an explanation of the root causes of the computer system outage and corrective actions taken to prevent recurrance.