Explosion and fire at Jose Cuervo Tequila JAL

Last month, at least six workers died in an explosion and fire at a tequila factory in México. Two others were injured in the disaster, at a distillery in the town of Tequila, Jalisco.

“The incident involved the explosion of a tank car,” Jalisco’s civil protection agency said, adding that the fire ignited three additional tank cars, each with a capacity of 219,000 liters. The cause of the fire is not yet known, authorities said. At least 40 firefighting and civil protection teams responded to the incident.

Explosion Guadalajara Cuervo Facility

Jalisco state is the largest producer of agave, the key ingredient in tequila, generating nearly 75% of the nation’s annual crop. The town of Tequila, which gives the liquor its name, is a center for tourism, receiving an average of more than one million visitors annually from Mexico and abroad, according to data from the mayor’s office.

In February, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies approved a law to change National Tequila Day from the third Saturday of March to July 24, to coincide with the same date celebrated in the United States, its northern neighbor and largest trading partner.

The US is the largest market for Mexican tequila exports. Adjusted for inflation, between 2014 and 2019, tequila imports increased from $1.1 billion to $4.9 billion, according to 2023 figures from the US Department of Agriculture.

Cutting-Edge Pump House Solution for a Jakarta Refinery

Ruhrpumpen has recently delivered a cutting-edge ETL Listed prepackaged pump house to a refinery in Jakarta, designed to meet the fire protection requirements of the oil and gas sector. The pump house includes both electric and diesel engine-driven fire pumps, along with a jockey pump, ensuring robust fire suppression capabilities. The system is housed in a compact unit measuring 8’-2” wide x 40’-0” long x 11’-0” high, featuring a durable shed-style roof and fully insulated walls and roof for efficient thermal management.

The electric set in this installation comprises a Horizontal Split Case pump constructed from cast iron and stainless steel, driven by a 185 kW motor operating at 3000 RPM. The motor is designed to IEC standards, featuring Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) construction with IE3 efficiency, and is controlled by a Tornatech GPA controller housed in a NEMA 2 enclosure. This configuration ensures reliable performance and compliance with industry efficiency and safety standards.

Complementing the electric set is a diesel-driven Horizontal Split Case pump, also made from cast iron and stainless steel, with a JU6H-UF94 motor delivering 300 hp at 3000 RPM. The diesel engine meets emission standards, reflecting an emphasis on environmental considerations alongside operational efficiency. Control is managed by a Tornatech GPD controller, ensuring seamless integration with the system’s safety protocols.

Pump house project

The jockey pump, an essential component for maintaining system pressure, is an End Suction model made from ductile iron, driven by a 30 kW motor at 3000 RPM. It features TEFC construction, controlled by a Tornatech JP3 controller. This setup is crucial for the system's readiness, maintaining pressure and ensuring immediate response in the event of a fire.

The pump house is meticulously designed for operational efficiency and ease of maintenance, incorporating Ruhrpumpen’s standard fuel supply lines, electrical interconnections, and sensing lines. It includes essential features such as resilient OS&Y Gate valves, discharge butterfly isolation valves with tamper switches, and a pump house sprinkler system compliant with NFPA 13 standards. This comprehensive solution underscores Ruhrpumpen’s commitment to providing reliable, high-performance fire protection systems tailored to the needs of critical infrastructure in the oil and gas industry.

Life-threatening fire at manufacturing facility claims 15 lives in South Korea

Life-threatening fire at manufacturing facility claims 20 lives

A fire started at a manufacturing facility in South Korea and resulted in at least 20 deaths, with six people injured and seven still missing, company reports. The fire blaze began around 10:00AM and extinguished after 4 hours. The fire department stated that the fire was caused by the explosion of battery cells inside the warehouse.

Life-threatening fire at manufacturing facility claims 15 lives

Seven workers inside the factory are still missing but rescue workers continue their non-stop search with all available personnel and equipment to aid and multiply efforts. Approximately 100 workers were present at the facility when the fire started. In response to the fire, local authorities have issued alerts advising residents to stay indoors and close their windows due to smoke from the fire.

The fire department has raised safety concerns of the fabrication of lithium batteries. Are they a fire risk?