Date: December 15, 2018
Location: Pratt, Kansas (USA)
Address: 10333 NE 30th Street, 67124
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Ethanol Production
Equipment: Grain Dryer
Company: Pratt Energy
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost:
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Pratt Energy operates an ethanol manufacturing facility in Pratt, Kansas. It started producing ethanol at this location in October 2007. After a temporary closure and modifications, the plant reopened in September 2013 and has since been operating continuously ever since.
Incident Description:
On December 18, 2018, the Pratt Tribune reported an explosion and fire at an ethanol production plant in Pratt, Kansas.
Multiple firefighting units from Township 12 and Iuka responded when the fire was reported at 4:30 p.m. They used pumper units and had to lay water lines from the trucks to the fire because of the cramped space. They used a combination of foam and water to contain the flames, which were declared under control at around 6:00 p.m.
The TWP fire chief said that an explosion blew out both ends of the grain dryer. A press release from the company’s public information officer confirmed that the incident originated in a component of the ring dryer system and noted, “Dryer fires are not uncommon within the ethanol industry.”
No injuries were reported and damage was confined to the grain dryer.
Sources:
Pratt Tribune
