CSB to investigate Philadelphia refinery fire

Abstract

A four-person team of the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is investigating an explosion and fire at Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES), a refining complex in southwest Philadelphia. The accident occurred during the early-morning hours of June 21 and injured four workers. It started in the alkylation unit where hydrofluoric acid (HF) is used to raise the octane of gasoline produced by the refinery, the company says. HF is used in about one-third of the 150 US refineries. Fears of release of HF in a dense, lethal, acidic cloud have led people living near such facilities and members of Congress to call for better controls or substitution. PES reports no HF release from the incident. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent analysis of HF use and risk management provisions was in 1993. Earlier this year, the CSB called on the EPA to review that work to determine