Analysis of the Fairchem Philly accident highlighted a massive disparity between terminal supply capacity and shipboard relief limits. While the vessel's high-velocity valves could only vent 17,000 cubic feet per hour, the shore terminal's nitrogen supply line delivered up to 250,000 cubic feet per hour through an oversized four-inch hose instead of the recommended one-inch fitting.
When crew members opened manual nitrogen valves to clear low-pressure alarms, the massive volumetric influx rapidly overwhelmed the relief valves and ruptured the double-hulled cargo tank. The resulting surge pressurized the surrounding ballast tanks, forcing contaminated sea water through deck vents and introducing oxygen that ruined the entire cargo payload.
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