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many licensed engineers in our company helps set us apart from others and demonstrates a specific level of accomplished expertise." |
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Lori Hasselbring, Ph.D., P.E.
Staff Consultant,
Stress Engineering Services, Inc.
Degree: Chemical Engineering
Project
For the companies involved, determining the "why" and "how" of industrial fires and explosions is critical. But understanding the cause of these complex events—and proving it in court—can be difficult. Explanations that appear to make sense during initial investigation may not withstand rigorous scientific investigation. Forensic engineers have to consider several factors when uncovering the facts in most industrial fires and explosions. These types of events require in-depth expertise from an interdisciplinary team of professionals from chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
An explosion and fire occurred at one of the largest grain elevator facilities in the world, resulting in seven fatalities, ten injuries, and major property damage. SES engineers were asked to investigate the accident site and to determine the most likely cause and origin of ignition based on scientific and engineering principles.
An investigating governmental agency proposed an initial theory that the explosion started at an overheated roller in Tunnel 2, spread through a crossover tunnel to Tunnel 1, and also spread to the headhouse. They based their belief on two items. First, they found a roller in Tunnel 2 that had been worn and overheated (to 475–500°F) by examining grain particles caught in the roller and compared them to particles they had heated to known temperatures. Second, they found burn patterns on the wall near the roller that they believed spread in both directions. They called that location ground zero.
SES engineers learned that the belt in Tunnel 2 would have been unloaded at the time of the explosion. Tests using an unloaded belt demonstrated that the slipping belt theory could not generate temperature increases greater than 60°F—not nearly enough to ignite grain dust. Thus, the grain found in Tunnel 2 must have been heated at a time when the belt was loaded, and the roller could not have been the ignition source.
A further complication to the initial theory is the evidence of blast damage. Several investigators reported debris, including damaged belts, being blown from Tunnel 1 to the headhouse. The report of damage being blown into the headhouse from Tunnel 2, however, was very sketchy. Considering the witness statements
and the explosion dynamics, SES engineers determined the likely scenario was an explosion that started in the headhouse, traveled down Tunnel 2 to the crossover to Tunnel 1, and then traveled back to the headhouse.
Halogen lights are a well-known fire hazard, and SES testing of exemplar halogen lights shows why. The outer glass reached temperatures of 475°F. If the seal was ineffective and grain dust got inside the light, the bulb temperature was approximately 1500°F. The NFPA Fire Protection Handbook reports that a competent ignition source for grain dust is about 806°F for a dust cloud and 446°F for layered dust with sufficient heat capacity to heat the dust. Thus, SES engineers opined that the explosion most likely originated with the halogen light or non-explosion-proof electrical wiring used by maintenance workers.
Perspective
"Forensic engineering combines the power of compiling data, reviewing evidence, and asking many questions. The investigations involve recreating situations in controlled environments to understand the behavior of materials. Although a forensic engineer is hired by one side (plaintiff or defendant), we remain unbiased and use our investigative skills, knowledge, experience, and teamwork to piece puzzles together. The ultimate goal in solving these mysteries is to learn from the situation and to effect changes to increase safety."
"I finished 10 years of college pursuing my Ph.D. in chemical engineering and got a great job at Philips 66 Petroleum Company. Then I started learning more about professional licensure and wished
I had set aside the time to take the exams while I was still in college. At the time, I didn’t know I wanted to pursue forensic engineering but felt that a license would help me in the future. I spent many Friday afternoons studying for the exams long after I finished school."
"Now that I'm a technical expert, the fact that I have an engineering license—even beyond my advanced degrees—is a real benefit to the work that I do."
Career Path
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Staff Consultant, Stress Engineering Services, Inc., Houston, Texas, 2000–Present
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K-Resin™ Senior Process Engineer, Phillips 66 Company, Pasadena, Texas, 1996–1999
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R & D Associate Engineer, Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1994–1996
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K-Resin™ Applications Development Engineer, Phillips 66 Company, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1991–1994
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R& D Staff Engineer, Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1987–1991
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Registered Professional Engineer: Texas and Oklahoma |
Education
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Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Delaware, 1987
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M.S., Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 1983
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B.S., Magna Cum Laude, Paper Science and Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 1981
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Honors
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Young Engineer of the Year Award, National Society of Professional Engineers, 1995
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Young Engineer of the Year Award, Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers, 1995
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Young Engineer of the Year Award, Bartlesville Chapter of the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers, 1995
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Numerous scholarships, fellowships, and awards given during all years of academic training
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Phi Kappa Phi, National Undergraduate Honorary Fraternity
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Gamma Theta Phi, National Chemistry Honorary Fraternity
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Alpha Lambda Delta, National Freshman Honorary Fraternity
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Phi Eta Sigma, National Freshman Honorary Fraternity |
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N. Catherine Bazan-Arias, Ph.D. |
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Kathy Caldwell, P.E. |
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Patricia L. Eng, P.E. |
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Charles Casey, P.E.. |
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Joe Fowler, Ph.D., P.E. |
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Lori Hasselbring, Ph.D., P.E. |
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Brett Pielstick, P.E. |
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Robert Rupert, P.E. |
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Jonna M. Tarpoff, P.E. |
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Dwight L. Williams, Ph.D., P.E. |
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