Unpredicted Pipeline Explosion

摘要

An explosion occurred during a pigging operation on a 14 in. line used to carry hydrocarbons (Fig. 1 and 2). The initial explosion was followed by several other explosions at different locations in the line. The owners of the pipeline hired DRB Materials Technology to investigate the cause of the explosion, carry out a risk assessment, and recommend means for avoiding such an explosion in the future. The investigation suggested that improper maintenance of the pipe was the root cause of failure.