On 23 March 2005, several explosions were heard, and a fire broke out during the start-up of the isomerization unit at the BP Texas City refinery. Fifteen contractors died, and 170 people were injured when highly-flammable petroleum components were released from a raffinate separation tower.
The animated computer simulation shows how the accident unfolded: the gradual rise of the liquid level in the column; the role of the defective level indicators; the consequences of closing the flow-control valve; the increase in temperature of the liquid; the liquid overflowing; the filling of the flushing tanks; the geyser that spurted out of the top of the column; the vapour cloud, its propagation and ignition; the shock wave and following fires; and the damage to the storage tanks.
On the same topic, see BP Texas City: anatomy of a disaster; and BP Texas city: on the 10th anniversary of the disaster.