A Dow Hydrocarbons compressor caught fire and leaked liquid chlorine on the evening of April 18 inside the Plaquemine, La., chemical complex. Parish officials closed roads and ordered residents to shelter in place for several hours until the fire and leak could be controlled. Some low concentration levels of the gaseous chemical escaped the site along a bend in the Mississippi River, The Advocat reported. Chlorine remains in a liquid state at very cold temperatures. It pooled onto the ground after the compressor failed and began to turn into a gas. Chlorine is dangerous in gas form. In a fire, chlorine can explode. Area residents were told, just before 9 p.m., to stay inside, turn off air conditioners, and close all doors and windows. Internal fire crews extinguished the fire in less than 90 minutes, according to parish and state timelines. Chlorine gas leaks are among several worst-case risks surrounding Louisiana’s petrochemical industry. The Dow site straddles Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes. Dow is one of Louisiana's largest petrochemical facilities. Olin took over Dow's chlorine, caustic and ethylene dichloride units in 2015. (Source: The Advocate 04/18/22) Chlorine leak at Olin that prompted shelter order in Plaquemine came after compressor fire: DEQ | News | theadvocate.com
No comments:
Post a Comment