Recent Blog Posts

Ammonia Release | Suction Regulator

July 8th, 2025

Summary In May 2019, ammonia began leaking from a suction regulator installed on the roof of a facility. The incident resulted in seven reported injuries and one fatality. The leak calculations determined that approximately 12 lbs of ammonia was released before the valve was isolated. Incident Description One of the eight bolts holding the suction […]

PSI Explained: Relief System Design and Design Basis

June 24th, 2025

This is an update to a blog that was originally posted on 6/13/17. You can read the original blog here. Relief System Design and Design Basis is one of the most commonly inspected components of Process Safety Information (Title 8 CCR §5189(d)(3)(A)(4) and Title 29 CFR §1910.119(d)(3)(i)(D)). This documentation, when prepared correctly, will describe the […]

Ammonia Release | Nurse Tank Weld Failure

June 10th, 2025

Summary In August 2023, the catastrophic failure of a nurse tank containing anhydrous ammonia resulted in the release of all the ammonia contained within the tank.  Incident Description The nurse tank was sitting stationary in a farm co-op lot when the tank failure suddenly occurred. According to the report, “The failure caused the tank shell […]

Relief Valve Piping System Design Scenario

May 13th, 2025

This is an update to a blog that was originally posted on 1/24/17. You can read the original blog here. One often overlooked aspect of a relief valve discharge termination piping system is the scenario that was used as the basis of the piping design. Most designers understand that termination piping must be sized so […]

Ammonia Release | Stress Cracking

April 29th, 2025

Summary In August 2016, the sudden breaking of a valve on an ammonia pump resulted in a release of 34-284 lbs of ammonia. The root cause was determined to be a stress crack that formed at the threads of a valve, ultimately leading to the top of the valve shearing off.  Incident Description The ammonia […]