Storage tank fire at Map Ta Phut

[Georgealbert]

7 hours ago, Tankexpert said:

A second tank explosion after the 2021 explosion, both incidents resulting in multiple casualties, very sad. It seems there is serious room for improvement on tank operational procedures and safety protocols covering these. Do note Pygas is extremely volatile, so tanks are very hazardous, especially when being emptied completely.

Fully agree.

 

The 2021 explosion was during a repair operation, when the tank had clearly not been expunged correctly and then lacked correct testing and monitoring of the atmosphere of the tank when the repair/servicing was taking place.

 

Details of what happened this week are very stretchy, other than 4 persons were on the roof taking C9+ readings, when the explosion occurred and they were blown off the roof. There had to be an ignition source, which caused this explosion, which you would hope will be revealed during the incident investigation. The tank was clearly not empty, but no details have been released to what maintenance was being done or planned.

 

This news article covers the companies’ press statement, and compares the 2 incidents and mentions plans to repair the affected tanks. It also supports what I said during the incident that news reports were wrong and only one tank was burning.

 

“Thammasak clarified that the fire was in only one tank, not three as previously reported.”

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/two-map-ta-phut-fuel-terminal-fires-unlikely-related-scg/

 

Also attached a SDS (safety data sheet) for pyrolysis gasoline, if anyone wanted to read.

 

https://www.chandra-asri.com/files/products/Olefins SM Butadiene/SDS Olefins/SDS-GHS-05-Py Gas (Rev.04).pdf

Edited May 10 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

Seems that the body of the dead, 33 year old, employee was yesterday released to his family, to be transported back to his home town, in Chiang Rai Province, for the funeral ceremony.

 

The body was being transported by a Rayong rescue foundation, and followed by family members, but on reaching Ang Thong Province, they are called and stopped by the police, telling them the body must taken to the police forensic hospital in Bangkok for an autopsy.

 

Does not look good for the investigation or the suffering of the family, when things like this occur.

[Georgealbert]

39 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Seems that the body of the dead, 33 year old, employee was yesterday released to his family, to be transported back to his home town, in Chiang Rai Province, for the funeral ceremony.

 

The body was being transported by a Rayong rescue foundation, and followed by family members, but on reaching Ang Thong Province, they are called and stopped by the police, telling them the body must taken to the police forensic hospital in Bangkok for an autopsy.

 

Does not look good for the investigation or the suffering of the family, when things like this occur.

Police today have issued letter to explain this situation.

 

Translated summary below.

 

“Under the direction of Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongphan Wongmaneethet, Commander of Rayong Provincial Police he has given orders to Pol. Col. Panya Damlek, superintendent of Map Ta Phut Provincial Police Station. and police officers from the investigation department at Map Ta Phut Provincial Police Station to conduct a careful investigation to determine the cause of the incident in this case.

 

Investigators have been appointed to carry out the investigation and gather evidence in this case. However, it is necessary to collect evidence about how the deceased died and what is the cause of death? In addition, it preserves the rights of the heirs of the deceased who will later use their rights to claim damages or compensation from those involved.

 

Therefore, it is necessary to send the deceased's body for autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. police hospital. Map Ta Phut Provincial Police Station has therefore coordinated with investigators from Muang Rayong Provincial Police Station to send the body of the deceased to the forensic pathology institute as soon as possible.

 

Rayong Provincial Police said they would like to inform you that we will conduct an investigation into the incident as soon as possible, and be careful and fair. If anyone has additional information, you can inquire or coordinate information at Map Ta Phut Provincial Police Station. “

 

Edited May 12 by Georgealbert

[degrub]

From the descriptions provided about the activities on the top of the tank, most likely an electrostatic ignition of the vapours within or at the opening where someone was inserting something conductive - hand, metal, etc. or an internal conductive element lost its bonding to the tank shell.  The organic liquid surface can be at very high potential just due to settling out of dispersed water that is common in pygas tanks and transport.

if the tanks were internal floating roof, may have been similar, particularly if the level was below the leg height. 
 

Will be interesting if they publicize the actual technical and operational findings.

[Georgealbert]

6 hours ago, degrub said:

From the descriptions provided about the activities on the top of the tank, most likely an electrostatic ignition of the vapours within or at the opening where someone was inserting something conductive - hand, metal, etc. or an internal conductive element lost its bonding to the tank shell.  The organic liquid surface can be at very high potential just due to settling out of dispersed water that is common in pygas tanks and transport.

if the tanks were internal floating roof, may have been similar, particularly if the level was below the leg height. 
 

Will be interesting if they publicize the actual technical and operational findings.

Yes fully agree.

 

The picture below, is when the fire was temporarily extinguished at 12.50, and I believe, shows the the damage from the initial explosion, some light smoke can be seen and 10 minutes later the re-ignition occurred, so not sure if or why internal foam injection was not taking place at this time, as that should have prevented the re-ignition. Pictures suggest that both internal foam injection and external deluge cooling, was fitted on this tank.

 

Investigation will always have to look at potential for an electrostatic spark as the ignition source. I am assuming that the employee’s have basic safety rules, SOPs and are required to use intrinsically safe equipment and wear suitable anti static workwear, if working close to potentially flammable atmosphere.

 

Details of what maintenance was taking place, tank design, or levels in the tank, has never been officially disclosed, and I believe the final investigation will remain within the company, the families will receive suitable compensation and it will be back to normal. The company did say after the fire was extinguished that both tanks in that bund would and could be repaired.

[Georgealbert]

Rayong Public Relations reported
 

“13 May 2024, Mr. Sakchai Patiphanpreechawut Chief Executive Officer and President of SCG Chemicals or SCGC along with Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Chairman of the Board of Directors Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and the team CSR Public Relations Company, SCG Chemicals, went to the local area to meet the affected communities to apologise and listen to various problems from the communities. We are confident that the communities and factories will live together happily and as well. understanding Ready to continue to monitor environmental quality.

 

Mr. Sakchai said, “I apologise for the incident that occurred this time. and feel very sorry We are doing our best to bring the situation under control as quickly as possible. We are currently monitoring any possible impacts. both in terms of the health of the affected communities and environmental quality We have rushed to mobilise a team to help take care of the community fully  and to relieve the worries of the community members. We have established a 24-hour relief centre for people with concerns about their health. They can get tested at Public Health Service Center Takuan - Ao Pradu, Rayong Province, with medical personnel with expertise ready to closely inspect and give advice.
 

The company has continuously monitored the quality of the environment. The results of air quality measurement with continuous air quality monitoring stations of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) and Map Ta Phut Municipality, is within the standard criteria. In addition, the water and foam from the fire extinguishing that is blocked in a 4 meter high dam (Bund) is prepared to be disposed of legally so it does not leak and contaminate the environment.” 

 

 

 

Edited May 13 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

It was reported on Thai social media that 5 employees had been sacked, after they left their jobs, without permission, to evacuate the area when the fire occurred.

 

In a statement by SCG Chemicals (SCGC) it clarifies that it is not related to the news of any sacking of employees from this fire incident.

 

“Mr. Sakchai Patiphanpreechawut Chief Executive Officer and President SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited or SCGC revealed that recently there was news on social media that employees were sacked because they were fleeing the fire at the tank terminal. SCGC would like to confirm that the news is not related to the company in any way whatsoever The company has not sacked any employees and currently, all company employees continue to perform their duties as usual.”

 

[Georgealbert]

The SCGC executive team, led by Mr. Mongkol Hengrojanasophon, Chief Operating Officer visited the injured in hospital.

 

SCGC has now provided initial compensation and financial assistance to those injured and confirmed they will take full responsibility for all medical expenses.

 

From the 5 injured, 2 have been allowed him to go home, with the remaining 3 still under close medical supervision.

 

Edited May 16 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

Update reported in Thai media.

 

“17 May 2024 Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Office, The Regional Harbour Office 6 and the Rayong Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office together with SCG Chemicals (SCGC) carried out water quality measurement in manholes around the site, which is mostly rainwater run off.
 

The measurements were found to be within the standard expected criteria and having no impact on the environment.

 

Water and foam, generated from firefighting, in the tank bund, is being pumped into tankers to transport and dispose of safely as required by law and there is no leakage into the sea and environment.”

 

 

 

Edited May 18 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

20 May 2024, Rayong media reported a thank you to those involved, and from the statement it shows how many different agencies and departments worked together to suppress this fire.

 

“Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand led by Governor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weris Amrapal, along with SCG Chemicals, led by Mr. Mongkol Hengrojanasophon, Chief Operating Officer expressed there gratitude to all involved sectors, including government agencies, the private sector, and various local agencies who played an important role in helping to suppress the fire, which was a difficult and challenging mission.

Those agencies included the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Map Ta Phut Municipality, Rayong Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Rayong Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office, Pollution Control Department, Map Ta Phut Provincial Police Station and Chaloem Phrakiat Hospital, partner companies including NPC Safety and Environmental Services Company Limited, PTT LNG Company Limited, plus Rayong Rescue and Fire Departments and volunteers.

 

Also the emergency response teams from the sites EMAG (Emergency Mutual Aid Group), which was established in 2000, and is a cooperative group of industrial plants, refineries and petrochemicals  companies, who will help each other in the event of an emergency. Those member companies involved were, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTGC), IRPC Public Company Limited (IRPC), Co. Vestro (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Rayong Olefins Co., Ltd. (ROC), Map Ta Phut Olefins Co., Ltd. (MOC) and Thai Polyethylene Co., Ltd. (TPE).

 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weris Amrapal, also said, IEAT, as the administrator of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and Map Ta Phut Industrial Port, apologises for the incident, and there will be a full review to determination new joint guidelines for upgrading preventive measures to try to prevent further incidents, in terms of safety management and maintaining environmental quality, to help build confidence among all relevant stakeholders.”