CITGO Refinery Hydrofluoric Acid Release and Fire

Accident Description

Accident: CITGO Refinery Hydrofluoric Acid Release and Fire

Location: Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Accident Occurred On: 07/19/2009 | Final Report Released On: 12/09/2009

Accident Type: Release

Investigation Status: The CSB issued urgent recommendations on December 9, 2009, and formally closed its investigation at a public meeting on January 28, 2015.

A fire in the alkylation unit at CITGO's Corpus Christi refinery led to a release of hydrofluoric acid (HF). The alkylation unit makes high-octane blending components for gasoline. One worker was critically burned.

Recommendations

CITGO, Inc.
2009-14-I-TX-1
Within 30 days, develop and initiate actions to ensure adequate water supply to the CITGO HF mitigation system. Actions could include, but are not limited to, increasing onsite storage capacity, installing a permanent backup system, and developing procedures and training for water management in an emergency.

Every 30 days, report actions planned or completed to the Refinery Terminal Fire Company and Local Emergency Planning Committee. Continue the 30-day periodic reporting until all planned actions are fully implemented.
Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Closed - Acceptable Action (C - AA) - The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board.

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2009-14-I-TX-2
Within 60 days, complete a third-party audit of all (Corpus Christi, TX and Lemont, IL) CITGO HF alkylation unit operations in the United States as recommended by API Recommended Practice 751, Safe Operation of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Units, Third Edition June 2007. The selected lead auditor shall have extensive knowledge of HF hazards, HF alkylation units, and API 751.

Consistent with the employee participation requirements of the Process Safety Management Standard for Highly Hazardous Chemicals (29 CFR 1910.119(c)), share all audit results and actions planned or completed to correct deficiencies in each refinery with all CITGO and contract employees whose work area includes that refinery’s alkylation unit.
Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Closed - Acceptable Action (C - AA) - The recipient has completed action on the recommendation. The action taken meets the objectives envisioned by the Board.

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CITGO Refinery Hydrofluoric Acid Release and Fire

Accident Description

Final Reports

Recommendations

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Surveillance video from July 19, 2009, fire and explosion at the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery

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