The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has released an initial report on the Husky Energy refinery explosion that injured dozens of people last April in Superior, Wisconsin.
Malfunctioning Valve Allowed Flammable Mixture to Form
According to the report, the initial blast may have been caused by a malfunctioning slide valve that failed to separate oxygen and hydrocarbons within the facility’s gasoline-producing fluid catalytic cracking unit, or FCCU.
The failure allowed a flammable mixture to form and travel to different parts of the unit, until it eventually found an ignition source, setting off the first explosion.
“It is important to prevent air in the regenerator from mixing with hydrocarbons in the reactor and downstream equipment because of the potential for such mixing to create flammable [explosive] conditions,” the August 2nd report stated.
Explosion Occurred While FCCU Was Being Prepped for Maintenance Shut-Down
The Husky Energy refinery was preparing to shut down the FCCU for maintenance when the explosion occurred at roughly 10:00 a.m. on April 26, 2018.
Most of the workers inside the FCCU were on break and outside of the unit at the time.
The force of the blast launched a piece of debris roughly 200 feet, causing it to strike a large, nearby, above-ground storage tank containing about 50,000 barrels of asphalt. The side of the tank was punctured, resulting in the release of over 15,000 barrels of hot asphalt into the refinery.
The asphalt ignited roughly 2 hours later, resulting in a large fire.
36 Hurt in Connection with Refinery Explosion, Including 11 Workers with Reportable OSHA Injuries
A total of 36 people sought medical attention after the blast, including 11 refinery and contract workers who suffered injuries deemed reportable to the U.S. Occupational Health & Safety Administration.
The disaster also forced the mandatory evacuation of much of Superior, a town of roughly 27,000 people.
Husky Energy Refinery to Remain Closed for 18-to-24 Months
The Chemical Safety Board’s investigation of the Husky Energy refinery explosion is ongoing, as work continues to determine the root cause of the incident. The Board will issue a final report and recommendations once the probe concludes.
Husky Energy indicated in its most recent earnings report that the Superior refinery would remain closed at least 18-to-24 months for repairs. However, the company has indicated that it would not be laying off any employees during the closure.
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