Ethanol plant fire in York, Nebraska: the automatic shutdown did not trip
Photo: Steven Vaughn, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Firefighters found smoke coming from a baghouse in the plant's grain-handling system. They found damage consistent with an explosion in the grain leg, and burning debris started a second fire in the baghouse. Plant data showed temperatures climbing to the system's maximum. The automatic shutdown did not activate, so staff stopped the plant by hand. No one was hurt. This is a reminder to test interlocks and shutdowns end to end. It is also a reminder to check dust explosion protection on grain handling. Source: 10/11 NOW.