1、Lessons Learned Entry: 0868Lesson Info:a71 Lesson Number: 0868a71 Lesson Date: 2000-05-22a71 Submitting Organization: ARCa71 Submitted by: Anthony BricenoSubject: Mishap At The Underground Air Storage Facility Description of Driving Event: A casing in Cluster #1 of the Underground Air Storage Facili
2、ty (UASF) ruptured releasing high pressure air (3000 psig) into the substrate at about 500 ft below the surface. Although, quick action by the crew isolated the UASF from the rest of the distribution system, the entire 5x106 SCF of air, stored in the UASF, was released through the rupture. The relea
3、sed air created a crater around the affected cluster and sprayed mud onto the surrounding area for a radius of approximately 150 feet. Damage was localized to the one cluster. However, personnel that had entered the area to attempt to isolate the individual clusters from the manifold were exposed to
4、 streams of water and mud when evacuating the area.Lesson(s) Learned: The underground casings of the UASF have experienced anodic corrosion at their exterior surface resulting in a loss of wall thickness of up to 50 percent with localized areas being even greater. The cathodic protection applied to
5、the UASF has been grossly inadequate. Based on these findings, it is only a matter of time before another failure occurs. The most recent failure could have caused personnel injury (The spouting of water and air and the throwing of mud). Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Investigation Panel
6、 that the UASF be abandoned and another high pressure air storage facility, if needed, be constructed. The idea of an underground facility should not be rejected because of the recent experience. An underground facility seems attractive from a safety standpoint and, with a properly designed protecti
7、on system, should be considered with other alternatives in an engineering study.The Investigation Panel recognizes that the missions and goals of the Center may require the continued use of the existing field in the interim. The Investigation Panel has given consideration to this possibility and off
8、ers the following guidelines:Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-1. Convert the existing manual isolation valves, on each cluster, to remote actuation to allow isolation of an individual cluster and limit the release of energy.2. Install
9、a venting system, to vent a cluster in case of emergency, to further reduce the release of energy. This vent could be a simple rupture disk that is punctured by a remotely actuated knife.3. Install an adequate cathodic protection system to slow or arrest the anodic corrosion. The possibility exists
10、of using the test well as the sacrificial anode.4. Inspect the remaining casings to determine their condition. The maximum operating pressure should be based on engineering analysis of the condition of the field and the required additional life.Recommendation(s): See Lesson(s) Learned.Evidence of Re
11、currence Control Effectiveness: N/ADocuments Related to Lesson: N/AMission Directorate(s): a71 Exploration Systemsa71 Aeronautics ResearchAdditional Key Phrase(s): a71 Administration/Organizationa71 Energya71 Ground Equipmenta71 Hardwarea71 Pressure Vesselsa71 Test Facilitya71 Test & VerificationAdd
12、itional Info: Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-Approval Info: a71 Approval Date: 2000-06-6a71 Approval Name: Eric Raynora71 Approval Organization: QSa71 Approval Phone Number: 202-358-4738Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-
