Engineering Disaster
write two paragraphs for my research. The research is
about engineering disaster, only "discussion of the disaster". Here is
the list of the requirements:
1. Two separate paragraphs.
2. Each paragraph will discuss different disaster
a. Chernobyl disaster.
b. Piper alpha.
3. Each paragraph must not exceed 300 words.
4. No need for cover page, introduction, and conclusion.
5. IEEE references.
6. Please refer to the attached rubric.
Solution
Chernobyl Disaster
The unfortunate incident happened on 26 th April 1986 when operators of the Chernobyl
nuclear power plant which is based in Ukraine, conducted a test on the electric control system of
one of the reactors. Comprehensive analysis proves that the accident was caused by a number of
reasons namely; basic engineering malpractices in the reactor, careless actions of the operators,
turned off safety system, operating the reactor under improper unstable conditions which led to
uncontrollable power surge [5]. The power surge made the nuclear fuel to overheat leading to a
series of explosions that caused a series of fires in the facility that destroyed unit 4 reactor.
Heavy radioactive materials were released during the ten day fire.
The accident led to massive social and economical disruptions in Belarus, Russia and
Ukraine since the accident led to the release of short-lived iodine 131 and the long lived caesium
137 to the population living around these areas causing various health complications. The major
casualties of the accident include the employees of the plant and the firefighters who tried to
control the fire initially. 28 deaths were reported on the first day and a significant number of
individuals cleaned after being exposed to the radioactive material. This includes 1000
employees working in the firm at the time of the accident. The other individuals cleaned
depending on one’s exposure. Significant numbers of deaths were reported later and were
associated with the fatality [3]. The negligence of the engineers and the operators of the plant at
the time led to the massive disaster. In an attempt to improve the safety measures of the
remaining reactors, the United States closed the remaining reactors and is building a new safe
confinement due to be completed in 2017 [4]. Many measures have been undertaken to manage
and effectively control the effects of such an occurrence in future.
Piper Alpha Disaster
Piper alpha was large oil facility situated 193 km from Aberdeen. The oil platform was
intended for crude oil production but was later converted to a gas production plant which
researchers say might have contributed to the massive disaster that occurred on 6 th July 1988 [1].
The gas was tapped via subsea pipeline network to Flotta oil terminal on Orkney. The Piper
Alpha structure was designed to resist fire and not explosions since it was meant for oil
production. The fire that occurred in the 1988 incident is attributed to lack of communication and
careless maintenance works being carried out on the facility. Construction workers working on
the pipe network sealed a crucial pipe with a temporary cover and did not bother to put a safety
valve. After a change of shift of employees, the new shift was not notified that they could not use
the section. Gas leaked from the pipes and burst into flames covering the company’s machinery
and steelwork which melted because of the heat [2]. Evacuation by safety measures was hindered
by the heat and thick smoke. The disaster was so fatal since of the 226 individuals who were in
the facility, 165 lost their lives. Lloyd Insurance suffered a major economic blow as it had to pay
over£ 1 billion in compensation for the damages caused by the fire. Professional negligence and
poor communication contributed to the prevalence of the fire tragedy. The Cullen inquiry that
was formed to investigate the recommend major changes be made especially in safety
management, regulation and training.
References
1. Education Scotland Foglam Alba. 20 th and 21 st Centuries Piper Alpha disaster. 2016.
[Online]. Available:
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scotlandshistory/20thand21stcenturies/piper
alpha/index.asp. [Accessed: March 22, 2016]
2. Matsen, Bradford. Death and oil: a true story of the Piper Alpha disaster on the North
Sea. New York: Pantheon Books, 2011.
3. Ogrodnik A, Hudon TW, Nadkarni PM and Chandawarkar RY. Radiation exposure and
breast cancer: lessons from Chernobyl. Connecticut Medicine.Volume 77, Issue
4, pp. 227-234. 2013. [Online]. Available:
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/23691737
4. Sted, Marcia A. The Chernobyl Disaster. Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub, 2011.
5. World Nuclear Organization. Chernobyl Accident 1986. November 2015.[Online].
Available: http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-
security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx. [Accessed: March 22, 2016]
Order with us today for a quality custom paper on the above topic or any other topic!
What Awaits you:
- High Quality custom-written papers
- Automatic plagiarism check
- On-time delivery guarantee
- Masters and PhD-level writers
- 100% Privacy and Confidentiality