TY - JOUR
T1 - Forensic Engineering Investigation of Factors Contributing to the Explosion of an International Natural Gas Pipeline
AU - Rasty, Jahan
AU - Parker, Olin
AU - Mills, Mathew
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Following the explosion of a natural gas pipeline that resulted in extensive property damage, personal injury, and loss of life, a forensic engineering investigation was performed to determine factors that significantly contributed to the failure. Metallurgical analysis of the failure region resulted in the conclusion that the pipeline rupture was caused by hydrogen embrittlement acting on hard spots created during manufacturing. The next phase of this investigation involved root cause analysis of factors contributing to the pipeline rupture as well as evaluation of missed risk-reduction opportunities of the nondestructive analyses employed. It was ultimately determined that hydrogen embrittlement, caused by improper operation and maintenance procedures, resulted in an overabundance of hydrogen from excessive cathodic protection. Additionally, excessive operating pressure exceeded the resulting degraded ultimate capacity of the pipeline, which then manifested in the rupture of the natural gas pipeline and the ensuing explosion. It is recommended that operators exercise due diligence by considering the age of a pipeline when determining appropriate operating, monitoring, and maintenance procedures.
AB - Following the explosion of a natural gas pipeline that resulted in extensive property damage, personal injury, and loss of life, a forensic engineering investigation was performed to determine factors that significantly contributed to the failure. Metallurgical analysis of the failure region resulted in the conclusion that the pipeline rupture was caused by hydrogen embrittlement acting on hard spots created during manufacturing. The next phase of this investigation involved root cause analysis of factors contributing to the pipeline rupture as well as evaluation of missed risk-reduction opportunities of the nondestructive analyses employed. It was ultimately determined that hydrogen embrittlement, caused by improper operation and maintenance procedures, resulted in an overabundance of hydrogen from excessive cathodic protection. Additionally, excessive operating pressure exceeded the resulting degraded ultimate capacity of the pipeline, which then manifested in the rupture of the natural gas pipeline and the ensuing explosion. It is recommended that operators exercise due diligence by considering the age of a pipeline when determining appropriate operating, monitoring, and maintenance procedures.
KW - Pipeline
KW - cathodic protection
KW - forensic engineering
KW - hard spot
KW - hydrogen embrittlement
KW - maintenance
KW - natural gas pipeline
KW - operating pressure
KW - pipeline inspection
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85145883752&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.51501/jotnafe.v39i2.848
DO - 10.51501/jotnafe.v39i2.848
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85145883752
SN - 2379-3244
VL - 39
SP - 79
EP - 89
JO - Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
JF - Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
IS - 2
ER -