The Use and Storage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) at Bayer CropScience (2012) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 21-30
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From page 21... ...
, the proximity of the tank to the explosion and the protections surrounding it were given careful consideration. Although the MIC tank at the Bayer facility was protected from the heat and debris of the blast by the steel protective shield, the CSB determined from its investigation that "had the residue treater traveled unimpeded in the direction of the day tank and struck the shield structure just above the top of the MIC 1 A full discussion of the accident and its subsequent investigation by the United States Chemi cal Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB)
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From page 22... ...
A puncture or tear in the vent pipe or MIC day tank head would have released MIC vapor into the atmosphere above the day tank." (CSB, 2011) In 2009, while the investigation was still underway, John Bresland, Chairman of the CSB, stated in testimony before Congress, Although the MIC tank and the blast mat escaped serious damage on August 28, there is reason for concern.
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From page 23... ...
This change allowed for reduction in storage capacity. In addition, a new MIC underground storage facility would be built in the East Carbamoylation Center to accommodate the change in production quantity.
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at Bayer CropScience The National Research Council will produce a detailed written report, conclusions, and recommendations where appropriate on the following subjects: 1. Review the current industry practice for the use and storage of methyl isocyanate (MIC)
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FIGURE 1.1 Timeline of events. 25 SOURCE: NRC Staff/Committee Generated
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From page 26... ...
Sam Mannan, a chemical engineering professor from Texas A&M University and recognized expert in chemical process safety, was appointed by the court as an independent expert to review the MIC production process at Bayer CropScience. Professor Mannan was accepted by both the plaintiffs and the defendants in the suit.
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From page 27... ...
While it initially seemed that information from the literature review in Task 2 could be useful in addressing Task 3, the committee quickly determined that a detailed, full analysis of all alternative chemistries available for the production of aldicarb and carbaryl, including their manufacturing and energy costs, would require sig nificantly greater investments than were available for the study. The investment required to fully analyze any one alternative is typically a multi-million dollar expenditure, and further, costs are highly dependent on the facility design, and accurate financial analysis requires specialized tools and information that is often unavailable to the public.
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From page 28... ...
To address this need, the discussions in Chapters 5 and 7 also touch on the role that an organizational safety culture plays in creating a safe operating environment and the broader context in which chemical plants operate, including local communities and policy concerns. REFERENCES Bayer CropScience.
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From page 29... ...
Bresland, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Chemical Safety Board, Before the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Com merce, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Hearing on Secrecy in the Response to the Fatal Bayer Chemical Plant Explosion, 111th Congress, April 21, 2009 [online]
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