Abstract
On August 6, 2012, the Chevron USA Refinery in Richmond, California, USA experienced a catastrophic pipe failure in the ＃4 Crude Unit. The pipe ruptured, releasing flammable, hydrocarbon process fluid which partially vaporized into a large vapor cloud. The flammable portion of the vapor cloud ignited just over two minutes after the pipe ruptured. The ignition and subsequent continued burning of the hydrocarbon process fluid resulted in a large plume of unknown and unquantified particulates and vapor traveling across the Richmond area. Approximately 15, 000 residents from the surrounding area sought medical treatment due to the release. The U. S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released the interim investigation report on April 19, 2013. The report concluded that the carbon steel pipe failed due to thinning caused by sulfidation corrosion, which was accelerated by the low-silicon content of the failed component.
