Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology

Dept. of Chemical Engineering

A Presentation on Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion

Course code: ChE 4774

Course name: Safety and Quality Management in Chemical Industries Sessional

Supervised by,
Presented by,
Mr Md. Shihabuzzaman Apon Md. Jahirul Islam Group-04
Assistant Professor, Name Student ID:
Lecturer,
Rashedul Islam 198010
Department of ChE. Department of ChE. Janealam Khalipa 198026
DUET, Gazipur-1707. Ananda Bala 198027
1
Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
Location: Port Wentworth, Georgia, USA
On February 7th, 2008

Location: Port Wentworth, Georgia, USA

Image source : https://www.csb.gov/imperial-sugar-company-dust-explosion-and-fire/ 02/11
 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
Content:
01 Accident Description

01 Background

01 Root Causes

01 Prevention Technic

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 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
Accident Description:

Location: Port Wentworth, Georgia, USA

Accident: Imperial Sugar Company Dust Explosion and Fire

Accident type: Combustible Dust Explosion and Fire.

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 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
Background:
 The sugar company began operations in 1917.

 The company converted raw sugar cane into granulated sugar and used screw & belt conveyors
for storage in the silo.

 Hammer Mil converted into powder sugar.

 On 7th February 2008 at around 7.15 pm, an explosion occurred.

 14 workers were killed and 36 were injured.

 The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) investigated the accident.

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 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
Root Causes:

01 Inadequate Equipment

02 Overheated Bearing Step-01

Step-02

03 Poor Housekeeping

Step-03

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg7mLSG-Yws&t=244s 06/11

 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
Prevention Technic

1. Upgrade the Housekeeping

 Implement a proper dust extraction system

 To keep the dust concentration below its flammable zone.

A report from an independent contractor,

 Undersized fans
 Incorrectly installed duct piping
 Ducts are blocked by sugar
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 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
2. Improvement of Training

 New workers should receive comprehensive safety rules training

 Documentary training must include information on combustible dust

3. Emergency Planning and Evacuation

 Setting an audible or visible alarm

 To practice going out the evacuation drill

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 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion
Question
Q 01: What are the basic components of explosion in this accident.?
Answer : (1)Sugar Dust (2) Over heated Bearing (3) Air

Q 02: Why is sugar dust explosive ?

Answer: Sucrose decompose into glucose & Fructose, above 150˚C Fructose is flammable.

Q 03: The explosion may have been prevented if the conveyor belt had
not been covered. What do you think?
Answer: Yes.It can be prevented , because if conveyor belt not covered the dust concentration
may not reach ignition concentration.

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Any Questions

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