Fire on Glycol Reboiler Due to Carry-over and Uninsulated Compressor Exhaust
Effective Date: 6/14/1988
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 155
June 14, 1988
Fire on Glycol Reboiler Due to Carry-over
and Uninsulated Compressor Exhaust
Two separate fires occurred on the same glycol reboiler on a production platform. The ignition source for both was an uninsulated compressor exhaust.
The first fire occurred when glycol and condensate carry-over leaked onto an uninsulated compressor exhaust from a loose flange connecting the reboiler and reflux column. The unit was shut in, the fire was extinguished in a short time with dry chemical, and the leaking flange bolts were tightened.
The second fire occurred when the reboiler was placed back into service and a surge of cold glycol flashed in the reboiler, vented through the reflux column, and was ignited by the uninsulated compressor exhaust. A fusible plug reacted to the fire and shut in the platform. The fire was extinguished with the water system in approximately 10 minutes.
There were no personnel injuries. Property damage, confined to electrical wiring and insulation, was estimated at $1,000.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of incident, the reflux column vent was relocated away from the compressor exhaust, the leaking flange bolts were tightened (after the first fire), and the dump valve on the glycol tower was adjusted to prevent surges of glycol and condensate from causing carry-over in the reboiler, and the compressor exhaust was insulated.