Fire at refinery

A retention pond at Cross Oil Refinery in Smackover caught fire due to an oil film on top.

[Someone]

Maybe someone needs to see where they dump there waste (pump it to the wood?)

[Let it Burn]

The problem is that this refinery is antiquated. Firefighters had a hard time getting water to the fire, because the refinery lacks the water system needed. The citizens of Smackover should insist that Cross improves its ability to control such fires, because a fire is bound to occur in a refinery. Hopefully the next one will not endanger the public......or firefighters.....employees!

[Old Timer]

First thing , you do not put water on a oil fire.
You smother it wit foam or just let it burn itself out if nothing or no one is in danger.

[Let it Burn]

Got to have water to make foam moron!

[Smarter than You]

Let it Burn wrote:

Got to have water to make foam moron!

actually son, foams are based on synthetic surfactants. Synthetic foams provide better flow, faster knockdown of flames.

[fire fighter]

Pumper truck uses water to mix foam. Been there.

[Let it Burn]

Where did you "cut an paste" those huge words from. I'm impressed, and you are correct. However, unless you are using a CAFS then those surfactants are mixed in........wait for it.....WATER!

Guess what else, AFFF foam was deployed on this fire. The problem was that Cross did not have a sufficient delivery system, nor did they have enough foam. In Fact, they had to call Lion Oil and have them bring additional foam. Heck, the volunteer fire departments had more foam than the refinery did!

[nobody]

First things first, I have seen an oil pit fire put out with nothing but water. The science be hind it is not to just spray it. there is a strategy, you have to cool the fuel to below its flash point. Also foam to put is used as a vapor barrier, it just keeps the fumes from burning.