Imperial Sugar Refinery, 2008: A Dust Explosion Fueled by Accumulations
A huge explosion and fire at a Georgia sugar refinery killed 14 people. The CSB found that massive accumulations of combustible sugar dust fueled it.
Chemical & Process · Last reviewed
What happened
On February 7, 2008, a large explosion and fire occurred at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia, northwest of Savannah. It caused 14 deaths and injured 38 others, including 14 with serious and life-threatening burns.
What the CSB found
- The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board reports that the explosion was fueled by massive accumulations of combustible sugar dust throughout the packaging building.
- The CSB final report was released at a public meeting in Savannah on September 24, 2009.
- Its recommendations include actions to raise awareness of combustible dust hazards across industries that handle fine organic powders, covering ignition energy, the minimum explosible concentration, ways to minimize dust accumulation, and safe housekeeping.
Apply the lesson
- List the fine powders handled at your site (sugar, flour, starch, wood, plastic, metal). Has each been tested for explosibility?
- Walk the area with a flashlight at a low angle. Where does dust settle on beams, ducts and equipment tops?
- Is housekeeping scheduled, and does it use methods that do not raise a dust cloud, such as vacuuming with equipment rated for dust and not compressed air?
Engineering lesson: dust is a fuel. Keep it from accumulating, control ignition sources, and know the explosibility of every powder you handle.
What the CSB recommended
The CSB investigation page lists 11 recommendations. Examples, in summary:
- To the company: apply standards such as NFPA 61 (prevention of fires and dust explosions in agricultural and food processing facilities) and NFPA 499 (classification of combustible dusts and hazardous locations) to the design and operation of the new Port Wentworth facility, and review all of its existing sugar facilities against them.
- To the company: put in place a corporate-wide housekeeping program that keeps sugar dust, cornstarch dust or other combustible dust from accumulating to hazardous amounts on overhead horizontal surfaces, packing equipment and floors.
- To trade and training organizations: promote combustible dust hazard awareness (ignition energy, minimum explosible concentration, ways to minimize accumulation, safe housekeeping) through bulletins, training courses and audit procedures.
Related tools and labs
Calculators, labs and simulators are part of the All-Access Pass.
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Questions
Is sugar really explosive?
Sugar in a fine dust form can burn explosively when suspended in air in a confined space with an ignition source. The investigation concluded that accumulations of combustible sugar dust fueled this event.
Where is the official report?
The CSB investigation page, linked below, has the final report, video and recommendations.
How many recommendations did the CSB issue?
The CSB page lists 11 recommendations, addressed to the company and to industry organizations.
Which standards did the CSB point to?
It recommended applying NFPA 61 and NFPA 499, among others, to the new facility and reviewing the existing facilities against them.
Educational material. Examples use simplified, hypothetical inputs and are not a design, a construction document or professional engineering advice. Confirm requirements with the codes and standards adopted where the work is built and with a licensed engineer.