Pressure vessels are typical hazard sources in chemical plants. Due to their high operating pressure, pressure vessels can present more complex hazards such as explosion, fire and hazardous chemicals, than atmospheric vessels.

Good pressure vessels design and proper preventive maintenance program are exactly required to prevent chemical plant accident. According to Chemical Safety Board (CSB) of America, improperly installed or modified pressure vessels have led to a number of serious chemical accidents. One of the serious accidents was the explosion at Sonat Exploration Co, Pitkin, Louisiana, US, in 1998. (more…)