Fire at an acetic acid plant

A hydrogen leak occurred from a low temperature valve on an acetic acid plant. The leak ignited and the resulting fire burned for about an hour. There was considerable media attention, particularly from local radio. It was surmised that deterioration of the valves may have taken place shortly before the incident.

This was probably a plant producing acetic acid by methanol carbonylation. In this process, high-purity carbon monoxide (CO) is required. The starting feedstock is crude syngas, which contains hydrogen and other gases, which must be stripped out via a cryogenic cold box. The valve which leaked in this case was probably on the hydrogen line part of the cold box (see HIAD_662). 

chemical reactor

This incident emphasises the need for efficient communications between shift staff and day staff . There is also a need for standards for operations and maintenance staff, detailing key routine tasks, including the frequency of plant inspections.