Ammonia leak and explosion was caused by a bad 1/4" liquid drain valve - ignition source still unknown
Three (3) Elk Grove Village Fire Department investigators along with one from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) established that a faulty 1/4" drain valve on a vessel level controller system caused the liquid ammonia leak at the food processing plant in Elk Grove Village, IL. The leak led to an explosion at the plant on July 7, 2017, causing nearly $30M in damages to the structure, equipment, and business. The ammonia, which was under pressure at 150 psi, leaked into an 80' X 40' X 20' mechanical room, which from video footage, we can surmise there was either a lack of ventilation or the safety system (detection and interlock) failed. It took over 7 months to build a new mechanical room. Elk Grove Fire engine 9’s crew on arrival reported heavy damage at the front of the building with a white cloud of vapor coming from inside the building. NOTE: there is a pending lawsuit over this incident and the insurance company's failure to pay some expenses. |
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