Rupture and fire killed one worker, injured a second worker
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 24, 2015) — The over-pressurization of a still that was neither designed to hold pressure nor equipped with a correct pressure relief valve likely led to the rupture and subsequent fire that killed one worker and seriously injured another worker at the Silver Trail Distillery at Hardin in Marshall County, Kentucky.
The findings were released by the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s office following a three-month investigation. The accident occurred April 24.
The report states: “All indications are that the event directly involved the over-pressurization of the still with subsequent failure which resulted in it being propelled out the north end of the structure.”
The rupture is believed to have caused the contents of the still to reach high temperatures that resulted in burn injuries to the two employees. Kyle Rogers died May 11 from the burns he received. Jay Rogers survived but was also seriously burned.
According to publications cited in the report, pop-off valves and pressure gauges are utilized to reduce the potential for a “blow-out.” The valve installed on the Silver Trails still that failed was rated for 150 pounds per square inch (psi). “Being that the still was not designed or intended to be a pressure vessel, a pressure relief valve rated at 150 psi appears very
excessive, the report said.” Further, the report states that an information sheet regarding this particular model still states that, “Each Revenoor Still is built with a safety valve and operated on less than one pound of pressure.” Deputy state fire marshal Bill Compton, who conducted the investigation, stated in the report, “This is in direct contradiction to the rating listed on the valve installed.”
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