Phillips explosion of 1999
Encyclopedia
Two contractors were killed and three men were injured in an explosion
on the morning of Wednesday, June 23, 1999, at Phillips Petroleum Company's K-Resin plant
in its chemical complex at 1400 Jefferson Road, Pasadena, Texas
77506. An alarm sounded at 11:30 am when the blast occurred and a fire
erupted. It took more than an hour for Phillips' onsite fire department
to extinguish the blaze.
Those killed were 24-year-old Juan Martinez and his uncle Jose Inez Rangel, who were performing a hydrostatic test
on pipe until they were burned to death by 500-degree F molten plastic. Both Martinez and Rangel were employed by Zachry Construction Corporation.
Today, the facility continues to manufacture high-density polyethylene (HDPE), as well as K-Resin SBC. This complex employs 750 workers for the production of specialty chemicals, including 150 operations and maintenance personnel.
The facility also experienced fatalities in 1989
and 2000
. A massive propane
leak
occurred on 25-Jun-2008 in a utility easement just outside plant property.
Explosion
An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a "high explosive"...
on the morning of Wednesday, June 23, 1999, at Phillips Petroleum Company's K-Resin plant
Chemical plant
A chemical plant is an industrial process plant that manufactures chemicals, usually on a large scale. The general objective of a chemical plant is to create new material wealth via the chemical or biological transformation and or separation of materials. Chemical plants use special equipment,...
in its chemical complex at 1400 Jefferson Road, Pasadena, Texas
Pasadena, Texas
Pasadena is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. It is the second-largest city in Harris County, 17th-largest in Texas, and 162nd largest in the United States. The area was founded in 1893 by John H. Burnett of Galveston....
77506. An alarm sounded at 11:30 am when the blast occurred and a fire
Conflagration
A conflagration or a blaze is an uncontrolled burning that threatens human life, health, or property. A conflagration can be accidentally begun, naturally caused , or intentionally created . Arson can be accomplished for the purpose of sabotage or diversion, and also can be the consequence of...
erupted. It took more than an hour for Phillips' onsite fire department
Fire department
A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district...
to extinguish the blaze.
Those killed were 24-year-old Juan Martinez and his uncle Jose Inez Rangel, who were performing a hydrostatic test
Hydrostatic test
A hydrostatic test is a way in which leaks can be found in pressure vessels such as pipelines and plumbing. The test involves placing water, which is often dyed for visibility, in the pipe or vessel at the required pressure to ensure that it will not leak or be damaged. It is the most common method...
on pipe until they were burned to death by 500-degree F molten plastic. Both Martinez and Rangel were employed by Zachry Construction Corporation.
Facility Today
The facility also experienced fatalities in 1989
Phillips Disaster
The Phillips Disaster refers to a devastating series of explosions and fire on October 23, 1989 near the Houston Ship Channel in Pasadena, Texas, USA. The initial blast registered 3.5 on the Richter Scale, and the conflagration took 10 hours to bring under control...
and 2000
Phillips explosion of 2000
At approximately 1:22 p.m. CT on March 27, 2000, an explosion and fire responsible for one death and 71 injuries occurred at Phillips Petroleum's Houston Chemical Complex at 1400 Jefferson Road, Pasadena, Texas 77506...
. A massive propane
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...
leak
Leak
A leak is a hole or other opening, usually unintended and therefore undesired, in a container or fluid-containing system, such as a tank or a ship's hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can enter the container...
occurred on 25-Jun-2008 in a utility easement just outside plant property.
See also
- Chevron PhillipsChevron PhillipsChevron Phillips is a chemical producer jointly owned by Chevron Corporation and ConocoPhillips. The company was formed July 1, 2000 by merging the chemicals operations of both Chevron Corporation and Phillips Petroleum Company. A 50/50 venture, the company continues to be governed by a board of...
- Phillips Disaster of 1989
- Phillips explosion of 2000Phillips explosion of 2000At approximately 1:22 p.m. CT on March 27, 2000, an explosion and fire responsible for one death and 71 injuries occurred at Phillips Petroleum's Houston Chemical Complex at 1400 Jefferson Road, Pasadena, Texas 77506...
- 2001 Humber Refinery explosion2001 Humber Refinery explosionThe 2001 Humber Refinery explosion was a major incident at the then Conoco-owned Humber Refinery at South Killingholme in North Lincolnshire. A large explosion occurred on the Saturate Gas Plant area of the site on Easter Monday, 16 April 2001 at approximately 2:20 p.m...