At 5:40 a.m. on April 16, 2006, an explosion and fire occurred in the vicinity of desulfurization unit at the Chiba oil refinery.
The circumstances are as follows.
| Circumstances | Around 5:40 a.m.: explosion and fire confirmed in the vicinity of desulfurization unit (HDS) (As of the current time, 8:45 a.m., details of the exact location are still to be confirmed.) Around 5:48 a.m.: announcement issued to defense services Around 5:50 a.m.: reported the incident to Ichihara City Fire Department and contacted all related sites 8:19 a.m.: confirmation that the fire had been suppressed 8:44 a.m.: confirmation that the fire had been extinguished (Ichihara City Fire Department) |
|---|---|
| Site of fire outbreak | The fire is assumed to have started between the high-pressure separating layer (D-V2) and the separating tank (D-V8). (Operating condition before the fire outbreak: 70°C, 6.9 MPa) (Operating condition of reactor vessel (D-V1): 396°C, 7.4 MPa) |
| Current situation | No casualties Effects on atmosphere: no sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or combustible gas in the air along neighboring roads (no odor) Effects on water quality: no oil spillage outside the oil refinery |
| Dealing with local inhabitants | We asked the public fire department to help with public relations. |
| Outline of desulfurization unit | This unit desulfurizes vacuum gas oil and produces materials for the fluid catalytic cracking unit as well as the base material for low-sulfur heavy oil. |
