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Motiva Enterprises Sulfuric Acid Tank Explosion
Delaware City, DE, Issued on August 28, 2002

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Summary
The CSB investigated an explosion at the Motiva Enterprises refinery in Delaware City, DE. The investigation found that the Motiva refinery management systems for mechanical integrity, management of change, and hot work did not adequately prevent and address safety and environmental hazards. Furthermore, the system for investigating "Unsafe Condition" reports at the refinery was inadequate. The investigation also found that corporate management oversight was inadequate. The CSB issued safety recommendations based on these root and contributing causes.

Recommendations Listed by Recipient
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Collapse American Petroleum Institute (API) 2001-05-I-DE-R10
Work with NACE International (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) to develop API guidelines to inspect storage tanks containing fresh or spent H2SO4 at frequencies at least as often as those recommended in the latest edition of NACE Standard RP 0294-94, Design, Fabrication, and Inspection of Tanks for the Storage of Concentrated Sulfuric Acid and Oleum at Ambient Temperatures.

Status: Open - Acceptable Response or Alternate Response Response from recipient indicates a planned action that would satisfy the objective of the recommendation when implemented. 2001-05-I-DE-R11
Revise API tank inspection standards to emphasize that storage tanks with wall or roof holes or thinning beyond minimum acceptable thickness that may contain a flammable vapor are an imminent hazard and require immediate repair or removal from service.

Status: Closed - Acceptable Action The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board. 2001-05-I-DE-R12
Ensure that API recommended practices address the inerting of flammable storage tanks, such as spent H2SO4 tanks. Include the following:

- Circumstances when inerting is recommended.

- Design of inerting systems, such as proper sizing of inerting equipment, appropriate inerting medium, and instrumentation, including alarms.

Status: Open - Acceptable Response or Alternate Response Response from recipient indicates a planned action that would satisfy the objective of the recommendation when implemented. 2001-05-I-DE-R13
Communicate the findings and recommendations of this report to your membership.

Status: Closed - Acceptable Action The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board.