2014 Spring Meeting & 10th Global Congress on Process Safety

(150a) PHA Methodology and Training Practices Addressing Auto-Refrigeration Brittle Fracture Hazards - 25 Years Later

Authors

Thompson, C. - Presenter, Equistar Chemicals, LP
Korst, M. - Presenter, Equistar Chemicals, LP

Nearly 25 years ago, the Morris, IL Equistar Chemical
ethylene plant experienced a brittle fracture failure of a heat exchanger.  Subsequent to that incident, the company
undertook a program to identify auto-refrigeration brittle fracture (ARBF)
failure risks throughout the company's processes and to mitigate those
hazards.  The company's effort to prevent
a repeat of this type of incident also includes a detailed ARBF awareness and
response training program, as well as a ?Lessons Learned? training
program.  This paper will present details
of these efforts, summarize the focused PHA methodology utilized to identify
ARBF scenarios and provide an overview of the continuing efforts to address
ARBF risks.