Pressure Vessel Explosions and Failures¶
Pressure vessels operate under elevated conditions that demand robust design, inspection, and relief protection — failures due to corrosion, over-pressurization, or material defects can be instantly catastrophic. Each investigation below traces the CSB's findings on what failed and why safeguards did not prevent it.
29 CSB investigations in this database involve pressure vessel as a primary or contributing equipment factor, spanning 1998–2024.
Pressure Vessel Explosions and Failures (29)¶
| Incident | Date | Industry | Key Hazard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Belle Explosion and Fire | 12/08/2020 | Chemical Manufacturing | Explosion, Fire |
| NDK Crystal Inc. Explosion with Offsite Fatality | 12/07/2009 | Chemical Manufacturing | Explosion, Overpressure |
| Marcus Oil and Chemical Tank Explosion | 12/03/2004 | Chemical Manufacturing | Explosion, Fire |
| INDSPEC Chemical Corporation Oleum Release | 10/11/2008 | Chemical Manufacturing | Chemical Release, Toxic Release |
| Isotec/Sigma Aldrich Nitric Oxide Explosion | 09/21/2003 | Chemical Manufacturing | Explosion, Chemical Release |
| BP - Husky Oregon Chemical Release and Fire | 09/20/2022 | Petroleum Refining | Chemical Release, Fire |
| Bayer CropScience Pesticide Waste Tank Explosion | 08/28/2008 | Chemical Manufacturing | Runaway Reaction, Explosion |
| Sterigenics Ethylene Oxide Explosion | 08/19/2004 | Chemical Manufacturing | Explosion, Fire |
| Cuisine Solutions Ammonia Release | 07/31/2024 | Food Processing | Ammonia Release, Toxic Release |
| Honeywell Chemical Incidents | 07/20/2003 | Chemical Manufacturing | Chemical Release, Toxic Release |
| Dow Louisiana Operations Explosions | 07/14/2023 | Chemical Manufacturing | Explosion, Fire |
| Praxair Flammable Gas Cylinder Fire | 06/24/2005 | Chemical Manufacturing | Fire, Explosion |
| Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refinery Fire and Explosions | 06/21/2019 | Petroleum Refining | Chemical Release, Explosion |
| Williams Olefins Plant Explosion and Fire | 06/13/2013 | Chemical Manufacturing | Bleve, Chemical Release |
| TS USA Molten Salt Eruption | 05/30/2024 | Metals | Explosion, Overpressure |
| Midland Resource Recovery Explosion | 05/24/2017 | Chemical Manufacturing | Explosion, Runaway Reaction |
| Husky Energy Superior Refinery Explosion and Fire | 04/26/2018 | Petroleum Refining | Explosion, Fire |
| MFG Chemical Inc. Toxic Gas Release | 04/12/2004 | Chemical Manufacturing | Runaway Reaction, Toxic Release |
| D.D. Williamson & Co. Catastrophic Vessel Failure | 04/11/2003 | Food Processing | Overpressure, Explosion |
| Yenkin-Majestic Resin Plant Vapor Cloud Explosion and Fire | 04/08/2021 | Chemical Manufacturing | Vapor Cloud Explosion, Explosion |
| Morton International Inc. Runaway Chemical Reaction | 04/08/1998 | Chemical Manufacturing | Runaway Reaction, Thermal Runaway |
| Loy Lange Box Company Pressure Vessel Explosion | 04/03/2017 | Paper And Pulp | Explosion, Overpressure |
| KMCO LLC Fatal Fire and Explosion | 04/02/2019 | Chemical Manufacturing | Vapor Cloud Explosion, Flash Fire |
| Tesoro Anacortes Refinery Fatal Explosion and Fire | 04/02/2010 | Petroleum Refining | Explosion, Fire |
| BP Amoco Thermal Decomposition Incident | 03/13/2001 | Chemical Manufacturing | Chemical Release, Explosion |
| Sonat Exploration Co. Catastrophic Vessel Overpressurization | 03/04/1998 | Oil And Gas Production | Overpressure, Fire |
| Valero McKee Refinery Propane Fire | 02/16/2007 | Petroleum Refining | Fire, Flash Fire |
| Synthron Chemical Explosion | 01/31/2006 | Chemical Manufacturing | Runaway Reaction, Vapor Cloud Explosion |
| Honeywell Geismar Chlorine and Hydrogen Fluoride Releases | 01/23/2023 | Chemical Manufacturing | Chemical Release, Explosion |
Related Hazard Types¶
Chemical Release · Explosion · Fire · Overpressure · Structural Failure
Related Equipment¶
Valve Failures in Process Plant Incidents · Relief Valve Failures and Overpressure Events · Pump Failures and Process Safety Incidents · Gas Detector Failures and Toxic Release Incidents · Reactor Explosions and Runaway Reactions · Heat Exchanger Failures and Fires
Data sourced from CSB.gov public investigation reports. This site is an independent project not affiliated with the U.S. CSB.