Abe Warfel, P.E. Case Highlight: CED was retained to investigate an explosion at a hemp oil processing facility. Despite the vast amount of specialized extracting equipment and chemicals present the explosion was isolated to a residential grade refrigerator. A shell of the burnt-out refrigerator was found with the doors blown off several feet away. The investigation required packaging and cross-country shipment of the refrigerator. Further investigation coupled with research into the extraction processes led to probable cause rooted in hazardous off-gassing of an extraction product, placed within the residential grade refrigerator, reaching ignition sources at the refrigerator’s lower working components. This project’s combination process research, witness statements, and evidence collection and analysis were an intriguing insight to the hazards present in an industry that has been exploding (pun intended) across the country in recent years. Click here to read his
Mechanical Engineer
full profile and certifications.