Chemical Tank Explosion Averted in Texas

March 31, 2000
A chemical storage tank containing acrylic acid overheated at the Rohm and Haas Co. plant in Deer Park, Texas.

Three days after a deadly chemical explosion in Pasadena, a Deer Park, Texas, chemical plant storage tank containing acrylic acid overheated.

Tragedy was averted Wednesday when officials with Rohm and Haas Co. recommended an evacuation within a one-mile radius of its plant.

The all-clear was sounded about seven hours later, after crews cooled the 250,000-gallon container, which had reached a temperature of 290 degrees. The normal temperature range is 84 to 122 degrees.

Company officials said they recommended an evacuation of the area, which encompassed 14 other chemical companies, out of fear the tank would explode.

As a precaution, the Coast Guard restricted traffic on the Houston Ship Channel, which is less than a mile from the plant.

The Federal Aviation Administration also kept aircraft from flying near the plant.

Rohm and Hass' emergency response team cooled the 34-foot-tall, 32-foot-wide storage tank, which contained 80,000 gallons of acrylic acid, by spraying 5,500 gallons per minute of water from seven water monitors.

Officials said a pressure-relief device in the tank was releasing less than 100 pounds of acrylic acid vapor per hour to prevent a pressure buildup in the tank.

Although the company said the fumes were dissipating quickly, it hired industrial hygienists to monitor air in the area.

Acrylic acid is a flammable liquid that can irritate the skin, nose and throat.

It is used to make paint, coatings and super-absorbent material used in baby diapers.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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