APTECH Cases Index Page

C

Catastrophic Failure of a Steam Turbine in a Power Plant: Catastrophic failure of the intermediate-pressure steam turbine in a fossil power plant.

Structural Steel Weld Quality Audit: Assistance in resolving a construction dispute involving the quality and integrity of welds on structural steel work.

Deactivation of Steam Methane Reformer Catalyst: Cause of deactivation of the catalyst in a steam methane reformer in an ammonia plant.

Injury from a Burning Rubber Gasket During Welding: Toxic fumes caused by welding near a rubber gasket in a pipeline

Mechanical Seal Failure and Explosion in a Chemical Blending Vessel: explosion in a chemical blending vessel due to a leaking water-cooled mechanical seal.

Gas-Fired Utility Boiler Explosion: Origin and cause of explosions in a 170 MW gas-fired utility boiler.

Explosion in a Chemical Blending Vessel Due To Unrecognized Explosion Hazard: Explosion in a solid chemical blending vessel in Lodi, New Jersey.

Propane Migration and Building Explosion in Puerto Rico: Building explosion caused by the migration, accumulation and ignition of propane gas from a leaking underground pipe in San Juan Puerto Rico.

Cracking in the Welds in Wide Flange Column Connections in Structural Steel: Cause of cracks in the welds in wide flange column webs of structural steel.

Abandoned Gas Main Piping Explosion: A large explosion occurred under a busy San Francisco street, creating a large crater.

Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking in Nuclear Power Plant Reactor Components: Intergranular Stress Corrosion Cracking in Nuclear Power Plant Reactor Components.

Natural Gas Migration and Explosion in an Apartment Building: Natural gas migration and explosion in an apartment building in San Francisco, California.

Catalyst Poisoning in Thermal Oxidation Unit: Discovery of catalyst poisoning in a catalytic oxidation unit used to burn volatile hydrocarbon.

Explosion and Fire in a Solar Energy Power Plant: Explosion and fire at the Sunray solar energy plant in Daggett, California.

Underground Migration of Coke Oven Gas: Underground gas migration of Coke Oven Gas from a Steel Plant.

Catastrophic Failure of High Energy Power Plant Piping (Mohave Plant): Catastrophic failure of a seam-welded hot reheat steam pipe at the Mohave Power Plant.

Coke Oven Gas Explosion in an Ammonia Scrubber in a Steel Mill: Cause of a fatal explosion of coke oven gas inside an ammonia scrubbing vessel in a steel mill.

Refinery Remaining Life Assessment: Remaining life assessment of a Canadian oil refinery, including columns, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, fired heaters, compressors, tanks and piping.

Release of Airborne Chemicals From an Oil Refinery in Northern California: Airborne chemicals release from a hydrocracker in a Northern California oil refinery.

Penstock Failure at PG&E's Helms Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant: Failure of a penstock at PG&E's Helms Creek pumped storage hydroelectric power plant.

Electrical Shock on a Main Service Panel
Electrical shock to an electrician while he was working on a main service panel
URL: http://www.failure-analysis-consultant.com/case_html_07/Electric-shock.htm - 6KB - 22 Sep 2007

Oil and Chemical Company Environmental Litigation: Cause and timing of leaks and spills at chemical and petrochemical refineries.
URL: http://www.failure-analysis-consultant.com/case_html_07/Environmental-litigation.htm - 6KB - 22 Sep 2007

Swimming Pool Water Heater Fire: Failed gas-fired swimming pool heater that caused a structure fire.

Elevator Fire: Origin and cause of a fire in an elevator shaft in a senior citizens' apartment building .

Residential Natural Gas Explosion and Fire: Residential structure fire caused by natural gas leaking from a vandalized pipe in South San Francisco.

Concrete Mixer Truck Accident: Pinch point injury on a concrete mixer truck

Generator Rotor Retaining Ring and Tooth-Top Cracks: Cause of cracks in a generator rotor retaining ring.

Propeller Shaft Coupling Failure: Failure of a propeller shaft coupling on an ocean going freighter.

Suitability-for-Service Evaluation of Seam Welded Heating Boilers: Suitability-for-Service Evaluation of Seam Welded Heating Boilers.

Underground Gas Migration and Building Explosion: Underground gas migration and building explosion in Santa Fe New Mexico.

Racing Boat Steering Gear Failure: Fatal racing boat accident caused by the failure of the steering mechanism

Cyclone-Fired Utility Boiler Explosion: Explosion in a coal-fired, cyclone-fired utility boiler.

Analysis of Moment-Resisting Welds After The Northridge Earthquake: Analysis of moment resisting welds after the Northridge earthquake

Failure of Oil Well Drill Casing: A plug on a steel drill casing in an oil well that failed during a hydrostatic test and caused a personal injury.

Steam Turbine Failure and Explosion: Catastrophic explosion of a steam turbine in a refinery.

Refinery Piping Erosion Failure and Fire: Petrochemical refinery fire in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit.

Stationary Diesel Engine Failure: Mechanical failure of a large stationary diesel engine

Fire in Gas Turbine-Driven Natural Gas Compressor
Fire in a gas-turbine driven natural gas compressor.

Heat Exchanger Failure and Explosion in an Olefin Plant: Failure and explosion of a heat exchanger at the Quantum Chemicals olefin plant outside Chicago, Illinois.

Ammonia-Based Chiller Evaporator in a Cold Storage Warehouse: Testing of an ammonia-based chiller evaporator in a cold storage warehouse in Watsonville, California.

Long Span Steel Girders in Sony's Metreon Center: Fitness-for-service of existing long-span steel girders below the Sony Metreon Center in San Francisco.

Generator Failure and Meltdown: Catastrophic Failure and Meltdown of a Generator.

Explosion in an Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant (Terra Corp.): Explosion in a neutralizer vessel at the Terra ammonium nitrate fertilizer plant in Sioux City, Iowa.

Risk Management and Prevention Program for Computer Hard Drive Manufacturer: Risk management consulting for a computer hard drive manufacturer in the Silicon Valley, California.

Mountain Bicycle Front Fork Failure: Fracturing of the front fork on a mountain bike

Power Plant Cycling and Derating Analysis: Impact of cycling operation and derating on power plant life expectancy.

Fast-Food Restaurant Fire: Origin and cause of an after-hours fire in a fast-food restaurant.

Mobile Home Fire: Origin and cause of a mobile home fire.

Residential Gas Range Fire: Cause of a residential gas range/oven fire.

Evaluation of Floor Furnace in Fire-Damaged House: Gas-fired floor furnace involved in a residential fire.

Restaurant Grill and Ventilation System Fire: Grease fire in a restaurant that started inside the grill's ventilation ducts.

Shopping Center Fire in Honolulu: Origin and cause of a fire in a fast food restaurant in Honolulu Hawaii.

Loading Dock Accident: Cause of the sudden release of a loading dock dockboard.

Explosion of Natural Gas in a Three-Story Brick Building: Explosion in a downtown San Francisco building.

Paper Machine Pinch Point Injury Accident: Pinch point injury on a paper machine

Power Plant Fire: Fitness-for-service of a power plant downcomer steam pipe that had been exposed to a fire.

Truck Tire Mounting Accident: Sudden explosion of a truck tire from a truck wheel and detachable rim.

Corrosion of Steel Cables in Post-Tension Reinforced Concrete: Corrosion of steel cables in a post-tension-reinforced concrete slab design.

Asbestos Exposure Litigation: Asbestos exposure litigation due to exposure to asbestos-containing products

Natural Gas Explosion and Fire in an Industrial Building: Natural gas migration and explosion in an industrial building.

Degradation of Condominium Plumbing System: Premature failures of galvanized water piping in a condominium complex.

Aircraft Collision: Cause of a mid-air collision between two aircraft

Corrosion and Leaks in a Solar Water Heater System: Cause of corrosion and leaks in a solar water heating system.

Copper Plumbing Corrosion Failures: Copper water pipe corrosion failures in a condominium complex.

Mercury in Natural Gas from Offshore Gas Field: Finding the source of mercury in natural gas from offshore gas fields.

Explosion of Natural Gas in an Apartment: Origin and cause of an explosion of natural gas in an apartment.

Refinery Asphalt Pump Seal Failure and Fire: Asphalt refinery fire caused by a leaking pump seal.

Overheating and Failure of Ore Drying Equipment: Overheating failure of ore drying equipment at a mining operation.

Fire in a Pulverized Coal Pipe in a Power Plant: Fire in a Pulverized Coal Pipe in a power plant.

Poisoning and Injury From Chemicals Deposited Inside a Refinery Vessel: Chemical poisoning of a refinery worker inside a gas separator vessel

Contamination of Hospital Oxygen Piping: Contamination in hospital oxygen piping due to failure by external corrosion.

Explosion in an Aluminum Annealing Molten Salt Tank: Explosion in a molten salt tank used for aluminum annealing.

Fire in a 55-Gallon Drum of a Dry-Cleaning Chemical: 55-gallon drum containing a dry cleaning chemical that ignited and created a toxic plume.

Water Tank Corrosion and Leaks Due to Defective Exterior Coating: Premature corrosion and leaks in steel water storage tanks due to a defective exterior coating.

Ammonia Tanker Truck Explosion: Cause of an explosion of an ammonia tanker truck.

Failure of Water Piping in an Apartment: Cause of recurring leaks in galvanized steel water piping in an apartment complex.

Black Water Contamination in Condominium Plumbing Due To Corrosion: Black water contamination in a condominium .

Clothes Dryer Fire: Cause of a residential clothes dryer fire.

Glass Furnace Failure and Transformer PCB Release: Cause of a failure of a molten glass furnace and release of PCBs from an electrical transformer.

Leakage in Stainless Steel Solar Collectors: Leaks caused by corrosion damage in a solar heating collector system.

Tube Failures in a Paper Mill Black Liquor Boiler: Boiler tube failures in a black liquor boiler in a pulp and paper mill.

Package Firetube Boiler Explosion: Explosion in a gas-fired firetube package Scotch marine-type boiler.

Corrosion and Leaks in Hospital Piping: Accelerated corrosion in a hospital's hot water heating system.

Oil Well Killing Accident and Explosion: Explosion of a natural gas well that occurred during a well killing procedure.

Failure of Cold Water Piping Due to Material Defects: Corrosion and leaks in cold water piping in 500 homes caused by defective pipe material.

Insulation Panel Failure: Failure of polystyrene insulation panels in a mushroom-growing plant.

Gas Turbine Fire: Gas turbine fire.

Flood Damage to Steel Supplier: Cause of corrosion damage to steel material in a storage yard.

Portable Therapeutic Oxygen System Fire and Injury: Fire in a portable therapeutic oxygen system

Underground Natural Gas Migration and Explosion in a Bakery: Root cause investigation of a explosion in a bakery due to a leaking underground natural gas pipe.

Refinery Delayed Coker Accident: Cause of personal injuries in an oil refinery caused by trying to work on a coker vessel that was still in operation.

Refinery Hydrogen Fire: Sudden release and ignition of hydrogen gas at a refinery in Southern California.

Coking and Fire in a Refinery Hydroprocessing Vessel: Extent of coking that occurred in a refinery hydroprocessor prior to a fire in the unit.

Transformer Fire in an Electric Power Plant in Los Angeles: The effects of an electrical transformer fire on the surrounding structures in a power plant.

Automobile Fires: Automobile accidents that involved fires and explosions.

Damage to a Steam Turbine in a Paper Mill: Cause of damage to a steam turbine in a paper mill after freezing weather.

Agricultural Chemical Warehouse Fire: Origin and cause of a Ford truck fire in an agricultural warehouse in Minot, North Dakota.

Refinery Process Heater Fire: Cause of a pipe rupture and fire in a fired heater at a refinery.

Weld Procedure Specification & Flaw Acceptance Criteria for a Brine Pipeline: Development of weld specification procedures and flaw acceptance criteria for a concrete-lined steel pipe.

Fire in an Oil Shale Refinery: Fire in an oil shale refinery caused by the rupture of an corroded slurry pipe.

Failure of a Cyclone Separator in a Mining Operation: Cyclone separator at a mine that failed due to operation at excessive temperature.

Gasoline Tank Farm Explosion and Fire: Gasoline bulk plant (tank farm) explosion.

Natural Gas Filter-Separator Vessel Failure and Explosion: Explosion in a natural gas filter-separator vessel in Tracy, California.

Gas Pressure Regulator Failure and Building Explosion During Fumigation: Gas Pressure Regulator Failure and Building Explosion During Fumigation.

Fire and Explosions at an Ammonium Perchlorate Plant (PEPCON): Origin and cause of the fire and explosion at the PEPCON ammonium perchlorate manufacturing plant in Henderson, Nevada.

Explosion of a Urea Autoclave Vessel in a Fertilizer Plant: Explosion of a urea autoclave vessel in a fertilizer manufacturing plant.

Power Plant Damage Due to Collapse of Underground Cooling Pipes: Collapse of underground cooling water pipes under a power plant.

Paper Mill Equipment Freeze Damage: Cause of piping damage in a paper mill after freezing weather.

Oil Well Drill Rig Fire: Origin and cause of a fire at an oil well drilling rig in Southern California.

Ammonia Tank Explosion: Cause of the rupture of an ammonia cylinder in a blueprint plant.

Failure of Roller Bearings in a Radial Kaplan Hydroelectric Turbine: Repetitive failure of roller bearings in a Radial Kaplan hydroelectric turbine.

Transformer Explosion at a Hydroelectric Station: Power transformer explosion at a hydroelectric station.

Water Treatment Plant Collapse: Water Treatment Plant Collapse in Southern California.

Underground Hot Water Piping Corrosion and Leakage

Leakage in buried copper piping due to internal erosion-corrosion damage.

Under-Slab Hot Water Piping Corrosion and Leaks: Cause of corrosion and leaks in under-slab hot water copper piping.

Evaluation of Postulated Propane Explosion: Diffusion, migration and explosion of propane gas.

Contamination of Residential Plumbing Systems ("Blue Water"): Cause of 'blue water' contamination in the copper plumbing in housing tracts in Northern California.

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