EDMG 240 Paper
Motiva Enterprises
Sulfuric Acid Tank Explosion
Chemistry of Hazardous Materials
Mr. Giles Hoback
July 22, 2014
Abstract
On July 17, 2001 there was an explosion at a Motiva Enterprises refinery. The refinery is located in Delaware City, Delaware. A work crew was working on the sulfuric acid tank when the explosion took place. The work crew was repairing a catwalk under hot work conditions. A spark fell into the vapors that were being emitted from the sulfuric acid tank and ignited. The vapors were being emitted through holes in the roof and shell. During the incident the tank collapsed and killed one worker and injured eight others. The collapse of the tank also released a large amount of sulfuric acid (CSB, 2002).
(CSB, 2002)
Sulfuric Acid Properties Sulfuric acid is a liquid that is colorless and corrosive. Sulfuric acid is used with varying degrees of concentrations in manufacturing processes and in petroleum refining. When sulfuric acid is heated it decomposes into water and sulfur trioxide. Sulfuric acid is very strong and a great oxidizing agent. It reacts readily with carbon, sulfur, and metals when it is at high temperatures (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014).
Sulfuric acid will cause severe burns with any method of exposure and may be fatal if it is inhaled. It will react violently with water and a fire may occur when it contacts combustible material or metal by creating a flammable gas (Fisher Scientific, 2010). In the tank explosion involving the Motiva refinery, one of the contributing factors that will later be discussed is the condition of the tank. The metals of the tank that contacted the sulfuric acid aided in the creation of the flammable vapors that were ignited.
Work Permit Denial Repairs were scheduled at the refinery in June of 2000. The contractor for the repairs was the Washington Group International (WGI). They were the primary contractor for the refinery. The repairs consisted of a corroded catwalk
Sulfuric Acid Tank Explosion
Chemistry of Hazardous Materials
Mr. Giles Hoback
July 22, 2014
Abstract
On July 17, 2001 there was an explosion at a Motiva Enterprises refinery. The refinery is located in Delaware City, Delaware. A work crew was working on the sulfuric acid tank when the explosion took place. The work crew was repairing a catwalk under hot work conditions. A spark fell into the vapors that were being emitted from the sulfuric acid tank and ignited. The vapors were being emitted through holes in the roof and shell. During the incident the tank collapsed and killed one worker and injured eight others. The collapse of the tank also released a large amount of sulfuric acid (CSB, 2002).
(CSB, 2002)
Sulfuric Acid Properties Sulfuric acid is a liquid that is colorless and corrosive. Sulfuric acid is used with varying degrees of concentrations in manufacturing processes and in petroleum refining. When sulfuric acid is heated it decomposes into water and sulfur trioxide. Sulfuric acid is very strong and a great oxidizing agent. It reacts readily with carbon, sulfur, and metals when it is at high temperatures (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014).
Sulfuric acid will cause severe burns with any method of exposure and may be fatal if it is inhaled. It will react violently with water and a fire may occur when it contacts combustible material or metal by creating a flammable gas (Fisher Scientific, 2010). In the tank explosion involving the Motiva refinery, one of the contributing factors that will later be discussed is the condition of the tank. The metals of the tank that contacted the sulfuric acid aided in the creation of the flammable vapors that were ignited.
Work Permit Denial Repairs were scheduled at the refinery in June of 2000. The contractor for the repairs was the Washington Group International (WGI). They were the primary contractor for the refinery. The repairs consisted of a corroded catwalk
References: CSB. (2002, August 28). Motiva Enterprises Sulfuric Acid Tank Explosion. Retrieved July 24, 2014, from http://www.csb.gov/motiva-enterprises-sulfuric-acid-tank-explosion/ Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2014, January 12). sulfuric acid (chemical compound). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved July 24, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/572815/sulfuric-aci Fisher Scientific. (2010, November 12). Sulfuric Acid. . Retrieved July 24, 2014, from http://www.fishersci.com/ecomm/servlet/msdsproxy?productName=A300225LB&productDescription=SULFURIC+ACID+225LB&catNo=A300-225LB&vendorId=VN00033897&storeId=10652