Afterthoughts on Steam Explosions

Many other reports of steam explosions involve hot oil being unintentionally pumped over a hidden layer of water. Water is unique in that though many organic chemicals will expand 200 to 300 times when vaporized from a liquid to a vapor at atmospheric pressure, water will expand 1570 times in volume from water to steam at atmospheric conditions. These expansion and condensation properties makes it an ideal fluid for steam boiler, steam engines, and steam turbines, but those same properties can destroy equipment, reputations, and lives. 

It seems appropriate to conclude this chapter by repeating a quote from Hazards ofWater in Refinery Process Equipment  

The hazard ofwater in process units has been present throughout the entire history of petroleum refining. Many persons have been injured or killed because of the uncontrolled mixing of water and hot oil or the heating of bottled-in liquids with no provisions for pressure relief. Stills have ruptured, vessels have exploded violently and exchangers have been blown apart.. .. A knowledge of how water reacts, where it can be expected and how to eliminate or control it will make your unit safer and your job easier. [1] 

Standard Oil Company, Hazards ofWater in Refinery Process Systems, Chicago, 111., I960. 

BP HSE Shared Resources, Sharing the Experience Booklets 2003, available from Frederic GI, BP HSE Shared Resource B 122, Chertsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW 16 7LN, UK. E-mail gilf bp.com. 

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