Kleen Energy Systems gas power plant explosion mistaken for earthquake, kills 2+

Chuck · #1 02-07-2010, 12:27 PM

A witness said the explosion took place during a test of the plant's power generating systems.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Middletown_gas_power_explosion.jpg

Edmund H. Mahony - COURANT - Feb 7, 2010

Breaking news. Not much on Kleen Energy Systems. The death toll likely will rise. --Ed.

Middletown, Conn. - Witnesses and emergency response authorities said as many as 100 people were injured and an undetermined number may have died when a massive explosion, which homeowners felt more than 10 miles away and mistook for an earth quake, blew up a power plant being built on the Connecticut River in the southern section of Middletown at about 11 a.m. Sunday.

Medical rescue personnel said at least 100 were injured, four critically, and two were dead. "There are bodies everywhere," a witness said. Another witness said many victims may be buried in rubble.... [Read More]

msirach · #2 02-07-2010, 02:46 PM

This is news report from a local TV station this morning:

This is the potential consequence that many industrial plants face. There are many fail safe system in place, but this is the result of testing a new installation before final commissioning.

This struck particularly close to home as I was involved in an incident similar to this in 2001. The consequence was not nearly as severe. There were no injuries but it did involve several hundred thousand dollars worth of damage when a gas valve failed partially open and allowed gas to enter the turbine and the exhaust path before the turbine had fired.

Chuck · #3 02-07-2010, 07:58 PM

Five killed in explosion - terrorism ruled out.

Maxx · #4 02-08-2010, 07:40 AM

Weird thing about this is I live two towns over from Middletown and heard about it via a text message from my sister who lives in COLORADO!

msirach · #5 02-08-2010, 08:40 AM

Here is a link to 54 pics from the Middleton Plant Explosion.

It is a good array but is not in any particular order. #53 shows the area between the two exhaust stacks. If you look a little to the left you can see a large orange colored pipe. That is a natural gas line. It was quite a blast by the amount of damage that was done. It looks like the main building was originally sided and you can see the siding peeled back and laying every where. One of the pics with smoke shows fire glowing at the bottom of the building.

Earthling · #6 02-08-2010, 09:41 AM

Something went wrong, a faulty valve or faulty procedure, which unfortunately created a fuel-air bomb. I heard they were trying to purge air out of the natural gas lines.

Harry

msirach · #7 02-08-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthling

Something went wrong, a faulty valve or faulty procedure, which unfortunately created a fuel-air bomb. I heard they were trying to purge air out of the natural gas lines.

Harry

I agree! It could be both but my guess that there is a greater chance of human error. Thank goodness the testing was being done at a time when less people were on the job.

Bucko · #8 02-08-2010, 01:15 PM

THe latest report I've read is that all workers have now been accounted for... 5 dead. Still investigating the cause.

brick · #9 02-08-2010, 03:59 PM

By freak coincidence I was driving through Middletown when it happened. I saw a bit of smoke in the distance followed by a steady stream of at least a dozen ambulances coming the opposite way. The trailer marked "MASS CASUALTY" was the real clue that something had gone horribly wrong. Scary stuff.

ILAveo · #10 02-08-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthling

Something went wrong, a faulty valve or faulty procedure, which unfortunately created a fuel-air bomb. I heard they were trying to purge air out of the natural gas lines.

Harry

Just out of curiousity, are they supposed to inert the lines (by purging them with N2 or CO2) to help prevent accidental ignition when they introduce the natural gas?