Ccollapse of Desulfurization Tower

Date: August 20, 2023
A major fire reported in a Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) of thermal power plant somewhere in Dandong City, China that resulted in huge property damage, production and environment pollution.
Cause: The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have been caused by a failure in the double block and bleed arrangement.
Damage: The fire caused significant damage to the desulfurization tower and the surrounding area. The tower collapsed partially, and the fire also damaged some of the other equipment in the plant.
Injuries: There were no reported injuries in the fire.
Response: The fire was brought under control by firefighters within a few hours. The plant is currently shut down while the damage is assessed and repairs are made.
Here are some additional details about the fire:
1. The desulfurization tower is a tall structure that is used to remove sulfur dioxide from the exhaust gases of the power plant.
2. The double block and bleed arrangement is a safety system that is designed to prevent the flow of fuel to the furnace in the event of a problem.
3. The fire caused a large plume of smoke to rise into the air. The smoke could be seen from miles away.
4. The fire also caused a power outage in the area.
5. The plant is expected to be shut down for several weeks while repairs are made.
The fire is a major setback for the Power Plant. As mentioned the event took place over FGD and has released sulfur dioxide into air will contribute to air pollution.
The probability of a fire in a FGD tower is low, but it can happen for two main reasons:
TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF EVENT
Convection coils: The convection coils in a furnace are used to heat up the air before it enters the combustion chamber. This helps to improve the efficiency of the furnace and reduce emissions. However, the coils can also be a source of flammable materials. If a coil fails, the flammable material could leak out and ignite, causing a fire.
Double block and bleed arrangement: The double block and bleed arrangement is a safety system that is designed to prevent the flow of fuel to the furnace in the event of a problem. The system has two valves that must be closed in order to shut off the fuel supply. If one valve fails to close, the other valve will still prevent the fuel from flowing. However, if both valves fail to close, the fuel supply will not be shut off and a fire could occur.
The fire at Thermal Power Plant is a reminder of the importance of safety in power plants. By following safety procedures and inspecting equipment regularly, power plant operators can help to prevent fires and other accidents.
Note:- Capturing lessons learned should be an ongoing effort and should not be used or consider for or as negative impact. The purpose behind sharing the above event is only to share the lessons learned from mentioned event.