2019 Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery explosion

On June 21, 2019, the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the face of an explosion and fire early morning, when a spill of hydrofluoric acid caused a ground-hugging vapor cloud which ignited in the refinery's alkylation unit, causing a fire which led to three separate explosions minutes apart from each other, one explosion sending two fragments of a vessel flying hundreds of feet across the Schuylkill River.[1] Five employees sustained minor injuries, but there were ultimately no fatalities. The refinery announced it would shut down operations the same month, and filed for bankruptcy a month later.[2]

Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery explosion
Sign identifying the refinery, taken from Lanier Avenue in Philadelphia looking east.
DateJune 21, 2019 (2019-06-21)
Time04:00 AM EST
LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates39°54′11.4″N 75°12′32.2″W
TypeVapor cloud fire leading to three explosions.
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuries5
PES Refinery
PES Refinery (Philadelphia)

Background

The Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery is an oil refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania comprising two separate refineries, the Girard Point and Point Breeze refineries. The last fire to occur at the facility was June 10.[1]

Explosion and fire

On the morning of June 21, 2019, the refinery reported that the alkylation unit of the refinery, which produces high-quality gasoline, was functioning normally. However, shortly after 4 a.m., approximately 3,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid spilled out of the unit, causing a ground-hugging vapor cloud, which ignited in the unit, causing a massive fire. 15 minutes later, an explosion occurred in the refinery's alkylation unit. 4 minutes later, a second explosion occurred in the unit. Finally, a vessel containing flammable hydrocarbons detonated due to the fire, causing the largest explosion at 4:22. Fragments of the vessel, one weighing over 30,000 pounds and two other fragments weighing between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds were sent flying 2,000 feet across the Schuylkill River.[1][3]

Firefight

Residents who lived east of the plant were ordered to shelter in place. The fire burned for over a day before it was extinguished at 8:00 a.m. the next day, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted.[3][1]

Investigation and shutdown

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s report on this incident is still ongoing. The latest report from the board was released on October 16, 2019, stating that a ruptured elbow pipe caused the leak of hydrofluoric acid which ignited the fire. The plant announced it would halt operations completely on June 26, 2019, and filed for bankruptcy on July 22.[4][2][1]

References
  1. "Fire and Explosions at Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Unit - No. 2019-06-I-PA" (PDF). U.S. Chemical Safety Board: 10. October 16, 2019.
  2. Kearny, Laila; Renshaw, Jarrett (July 22, 2019). "Philadelphia Energy Solutions files for bankruptcy after refinery fire". Reuters. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  3. Sutton, Joe; Holcombe, Madeline (June 21, 2019). "A fire at a Philadelphia oil refinery sparked an explosion felt for miles". CNN. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  4. Lou, Michelle (June 26, 2019). "Philadelphia refinery shutdown could raise gas prices in the northeastern US". CNN. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
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