Boiler explosion on Guadeloupe.

[howardbParticipant @howardb]

“A second person has died “from their injuries” following the explosion at a distillery in Guadeloupe on Friday, July 24, Alexandra Onfray, deputy prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre, told Agence France Presse on Sunday , confirming reports from local media.

On Friday, the toll from the boiler explosion at the Montebello distillery in Petit-Bourg stood at one dead and two people whose lives were in danger.

In Guadeloupe, this industrial accident has aroused much emotion and reaction among the population, elected officials and also the rum industry”

In general,the boilers are fuelled by the “bagasse” which is the stalks and residue from the crushing process of the sugar cane which drives the rum industry.

The image of the plant looks like a big steamer.

https://www.ouest-france.fr/region-guadeloupe/guadeloupe-deces-dun-des-blesses-de-lexplosion-de-la-distillerie-e84a8462-8941-11f1-abec-0816624751ff

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Certainly still using old steam engines out there and on other islands. Not sure about the boilers whether they are a similar vintage or newer.

https://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/mills/guadeloupemill02.htm

I have started to make a model of one of the French build Fives-Lille engines

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Which bit exploded first, the bio Gas generator or the Boiler ?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I think they just burn the waste directly rather than turn it to gas first. Certainly the way it used to be done and just like the straw burning portables which just fed the stalks straight into teh firebox.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

When I worked at Greenwood&Batley we supplied steam turbines to the Caribbean. I think they had a need for process steam, so if you generate it at higher pressure and send it through a turbine first you get a very good payback.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Rum distillery ! Was it a boiler explosion or did the alcohol vapour explode, Christmas pud with brandy burns well, even at 35%. A vapour leak would be highly inflammable. Noel.

[howardbParticipant @howardb]

It seems that the Montebello distillery was being operated outside of the rules, formal notices about safety were ignored etc.

https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/guadeloupe/explosion-a-la-distillerie-montebello-une-usine-visee-par-des-mises-en-demeure-non-suivies-d-effets-1723288.html

Use google translate if necessary.

 

[vintagengineerParticipant @vintagengineer]

Begasse is a sawdust like material and is normally blown into the boiler. Most sugar mills run on steam as it is a free energy.

 

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

According to Wikipedia it is possible to convert bagasse (and wood, grass etc) to ethanol, on which you could run your car, carbon neutral. Trouble is it’s expensive, but if the Hormuz issue isn’t resolved perhaps it is viable

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Although blowing in the material may be a more efficient modern way and more suited to fixed boilers it was often made into bales and fed into the boiler. Usually a “colonial” one with longer fire box.

@bacolodtourguide

🚂 Did you know? The steam locomotive train here in Negros is powered by bagasse — a by-product of sugarcane after juice extraction! 💨🔥 This eco-friendly fuel keeps the heritage train running, giving you a nostalgic ride through our rich sugar history. 🍂🇵🇭 #BacolodTourGuide #SteamTrain #NegrosHeritage #BagassePowered #Sugarlandia #EcoTourism #HistoryOnTracks #TravelNegros #PhilippineHistory

♬ Mechanic Shop – NaderGator

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