Apparently the polymerization reaction is exothermic, so it is just waiting to happen. It could have been provoked by some material in the tank that functioned as a catalyst. Or they let the storage temperature drift upward. Some of the things I read suggested that the new owner of the facility might not have been entirely on top of the safety aspects of MMA storage.
A long history without problems can lead to fatal complacence. I lived in a town that had a pulp and paper mill. They decided to install storage tanks for liquid chlorine used to bleach the paper. Fast forward 20 or so years. The mill had been shut down and was being dismantled. The liquid chlorine tanks were empty; when they were in use, the contents were cold enough to create a constant layer of ice on the tank wall. So, on a nice sunny day, some workers decided to sit on some lumber piled up next to the tanks to have their lunch. One worker in mid-sandwich leaned back against the tank wall...and fell through it, backward into the tank. The wall had been corroded paper-thin. All that was holding it together during its lifetime was the ice layer.
I agree with your temp assessment of what started the polymerization based upon what I heard when all this started. It was the rise in temp that set this series of events into motion.
Didn't know about the new ownership transfer. Thanks. The company had been previously citied for some safety issues over the years. But more of it appeared to be document related infractions - not having certain required docs in the records. The physical equipment issues also appeared to be more minor in nature and not a serious violation that would force a plant or department shut down. It happens. Keeping on top of all that regulated documentation can be overwhelming. Especially if the company recently changed hands. You are right in that places can become fatally complacent with regards to ticking time bombs waiting to fail.
I used to do inspections for my State regarding health care facilities. The focus was on infection control. Documentation was always one of the weakest links in the chain. I never had to actually force a facility to shut down because of what I found. Those closure incidents are more the outlier but occasionally do happen and that is why the inspections are there. Most of the violations I found were easily remedied and did not constitute an immediate threat to public safety. Many times I found that places just were not informed completely of what was required. Frankly, I didn't blame the people in charge or the workers. Navigating through much of it was confusing and there really is no clear guidance. Most business owners have no problem complying once they are told clearly of what they have to do. But the regulatory structure itself makes that process about as clear as mud. A topic for another discussion and day.
I don't have any problem with paperwork issues. But I did spend part of my career handling rocket propellant, and we were pretty darned serious about how that was to be accomplished. No short cuts.
I viewed a video of the tanks in question, being sprayed to be kept cool. It struck me that whoever built that plant did so on the basis of "We will expect no problems." Did no one ask the question, "So, what do we do if a tank of MMA starts to polymerize and warm up?" No emergency deluge system. No quarantine spacing to keep it distant from tanks of other dangerous material. "Oh, we'll call the fire department and hope for the best." It is so rightly said, "Hope is not a plan."
Will take your word for it since you are more experienced and have more knowledge about the situation that I do not possess. I can only hope that your assessment of that situation is not the case. But you bring up some damn good questions that deserve answers.
I did hear something when all of this kicked off that there was a problem with the sprinkler system put into place for a situation like this. Starting to look like something bad just waiting to happen.
Apparently the polymerization reaction is exothermic, so it is just waiting to happen. It could have been provoked by some material in the tank that functioned as a catalyst. Or they let the storage temperature drift upward. Some of the things I read suggested that the new owner of the facility might not have been entirely on top of the safety aspects of MMA storage.
A long history without problems can lead to fatal complacence. I lived in a town that had a pulp and paper mill. They decided to install storage tanks for liquid chlorine used to bleach the paper. Fast forward 20 or so years. The mill had been shut down and was being dismantled. The liquid chlorine tanks were empty; when they were in use, the contents were cold enough to create a constant layer of ice on the tank wall. So, on a nice sunny day, some workers decided to sit on some lumber piled up next to the tanks to have their lunch. One worker in mid-sandwich leaned back against the tank wall...and fell through it, backward into the tank. The wall had been corroded paper-thin. All that was holding it together during its lifetime was the ice layer.
I agree with your temp assessment of what started the polymerization based upon what I heard when all this started. It was the rise in temp that set this series of events into motion.
Didn't know about the new ownership transfer. Thanks. The company had been previously citied for some safety issues over the years. But more of it appeared to be document related infractions - not having certain required docs in the records. The physical equipment issues also appeared to be more minor in nature and not a serious violation that would force a plant or department shut down. It happens. Keeping on top of all that regulated documentation can be overwhelming. Especially if the company recently changed hands. You are right in that places can become fatally complacent with regards to ticking time bombs waiting to fail.
I used to do inspections for my State regarding health care facilities. The focus was on infection control. Documentation was always one of the weakest links in the chain. I never had to actually force a facility to shut down because of what I found. Those closure incidents are more the outlier but occasionally do happen and that is why the inspections are there. Most of the violations I found were easily remedied and did not constitute an immediate threat to public safety. Many times I found that places just were not informed completely of what was required. Frankly, I didn't blame the people in charge or the workers. Navigating through much of it was confusing and there really is no clear guidance. Most business owners have no problem complying once they are told clearly of what they have to do. But the regulatory structure itself makes that process about as clear as mud. A topic for another discussion and day.
I don't have any problem with paperwork issues. But I did spend part of my career handling rocket propellant, and we were pretty darned serious about how that was to be accomplished. No short cuts.
I viewed a video of the tanks in question, being sprayed to be kept cool. It struck me that whoever built that plant did so on the basis of "We will expect no problems." Did no one ask the question, "So, what do we do if a tank of MMA starts to polymerize and warm up?" No emergency deluge system. No quarantine spacing to keep it distant from tanks of other dangerous material. "Oh, we'll call the fire department and hope for the best." It is so rightly said, "Hope is not a plan."
Will take your word for it since you are more experienced and have more knowledge about the situation that I do not possess. I can only hope that your assessment of that situation is not the case. But you bring up some damn good questions that deserve answers.
I did hear something when all of this kicked off that there was a problem with the sprinkler system put into place for a situation like this. Starting to look like something bad just waiting to happen.