Oil Refineries | Shrader & Associates L.L.P.
Get in Touch Today

Oil Refineries

Over A Billion Recovered Nationwide

Asbestos Exposure in Oil Refineries

An oil refinery is a processing plant where raw crude oil is developed into gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products. These plants are usually big, rambling complexes connected by extensive pipe works through which fluids are transported to the various processing tanks and storage units.

A Special Kind of Asbestos Product Was Used in Refineries

The type of manufacturing done at an oil refinery releases a number of chemical substances into the air, making it a place that is extremely vulnerable to fire and/or explosion. Many types of asbestos-containing products were used as fire retardants; however the asbestos product that was very heavily used was sprayed limpet asbestos, or limpet, as it was commonly called.

It was developed in England and distributed in a number of countries including the United States. Limpet was made up of 60 percent asbestos, 38 percent cement, and 2 percent mineral oil. Among its uses was as a fireproofing material that was sprayed on steel beams, girders, columns, and beneath flooring; and as a thermal insulation that was sprayed on tanks and turbines. It was also applied to fireproof vessel skirts, stills, and tank storage vessels.

Since routine maintenance at oil refineries is the responsibility of the staff, any type of repair work performed on equipment sprayed with limpet would have exposed these workers to asbestos fibers.

Temperature Control Was Another Important use for Asbestos in Oil Refineries

Cracking coils were heavily insulated with asbestos-containing materials. They are used in the process to break down hydrocarbons into smaller molecules from which products like gasoline are made. The thermal version of this process was performed under temperatures ranging from 450 to 750 degrees Celsius, which is why asbestos was used as a cracking coil insulator because of its ability to withstand high temperatures. In addition, the miles of pipe works in these refineries were typically lined with materials containing 85 percent asbestos and 15 percent magnesia substrate to ensure that hot liquids passing through would not leak.

Asbestos Gaskets Were Another Form of Leakage Protection

Asbestos gaskets were used in piping, valves, and pumps to prevent leakage. There were three types:

  • Sheet gaskets – These were 1/8 or 1/16 inch thick compressed asbestos sheets from which the gaskets had to be cut in order to be installed.
  • Spiral wound gaskets – This type of gasket contained asbestos filler material compressed between stainless steel spiral windings.
  • Meta-jacketed gaskets – These were also made from asbestos filler material, but in this case it was compressed between metal jacketing.

The greatest exposure to asbestos resulted from the cutting of sheet gaskets, which were formed into various sizes in the machine shop onsite at the refinery. Replacing these sheet gaskets also caused significant risk for exposure because sometimes they broke during removal and pieces of the broken gasket remained on either one or both of the seating surfaces. When this happened, the broken pieces would be pried or scrapped off and the seating would then be scrapped or sanded before a new gasket was installed. All of these activities released asbestos fibers into the air if the surfaces were not wetted down.

Refinery Workers Were Also Exposed to Asbestos Through Their Protective Clothing

Asbestos was a component of the protective clothing refinery workers wore to protect them from fire. Damage that resulted from normal wear-and-tear would cause these items to release asbestos fibers into the air to be inhaled.

Contact Us Today

Request a Free Consultation

    $6,800,000
    Mesothelioma Lawsuit
    $4,650,084.52
    Mesothelioma Lawsuit

    We Take Our Clients’ Cases Personal

    Helping Victims of Mesothelioma Is Why We Do What We Do

    Your firm has made this stressful process easy and comfortable for me.

    “In this difficult time for me, everyone in your office has been helpful and supportive in ensuring that not only are our objectives with my case met but also that my personal needs are accommodated.”
    - Stephen

    I couldn’t have done it without you.

    “My case was complex, but you untangled the details of my asbestos exposure so that they were clear in court.”
    - Sam

    The professionals at Shrader & Associates did the work, hassle free, and ensured I was able to leave a legacy for my family.

    “I hesitated to file suit because I thought going to trial would be a hassle. The professionals at Shrader & Associates did the work, hassle-free, and ensured I was able to leave a legacy for my family ...”
    - Raymond

    Your team stood by me throughout the entire process.

    “The future looks a bit brighter for my family now.”
    - Frank

    Thanks to you, the grief of my loss would have been almost unbearable otherwise.

    “The wonderful things you have done for us, the things you have made possible for my family, the doors you have opened – I will always be grateful.”
    - Brian

    Experience You Can Count On

    Our Awards & Accolades

    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries
    Oil Refineries

    The Right Team Makes a Difference

    Mesothelioma cases require technical knowledge and an understanding of complex laws. An attorney with experience trying these claims and substantial resources to leverage on your behalf is your best bet to having a strong case. We are nationally recognized for providing quality representation to mesothelioma patients and their families.

    Meet Our Attorney

    Choosing the Right Law Firm is an Important & Personal Decision

    Why Shrader & Associates?

    AWARD-WINNING

    Our skilled approach to the practice of law has resulted in top ratings & awards from renowned legal organizations.

    RESPECTED

    Our attorneys have been invited into some of the most prestigious and recognized professional associations in the U.S.

    RECOGNIZED

    We’ve been featured on local and national news programs for our legal knowledge and winning results.

    PROVEN

    To date, we’ve secured countless million-dollar results for clients located throughout the country.