Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Houston-area chemical plant at risk of explosion, nearby residents evacuated
#1
Aug 30, 2017, 8:00am CDT Updated Aug 30, 2017, 3:13pm CDT

Update: Richard Rowe, CEO of Arkema’s North America unit, said Aug. 30 that chemicals on site are expected to catch fire or explode within the next six days, according to CNBC.

The plant is inundated by about 6 feet of water, so there’s no way to prevent a fire or possible explosion, CNBC reports.



The original story appears below.

The Arkema Inc. plant in Crosby, northeast of Houston, could be at risk of a chemical explosion after suffering damages from Harvey floods, according to multiple reports.

Workers and residents within a 1.5-mile radius have been evacuated as a precautionary measure, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office said in a statement on Twitter.

Part of France-based Arkema SA, the plant is at 18000 Crosby Eastgate Road and produces liquid organic peroxides that are used primarily in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester reinforced fiberglass, and acrylic resins, according to the company.

“There is a potential for a chemical reaction leading to a fire at the facility, which could produce a large amount of black smoke,” the fire marshal's statement reads.

Flooding caused the facility to lose power from both its primary supply and its backup generators late on Aug. 28, the Houston Chronicle reports. The organic peroxides are highly volatile, so employees moved them into back-up containers to keep them cool, per the Chronicle.

The back-up containers also were compromised by the floodwaters, and the company has to monitor the situation remotely, Reuters reports. The plant has been hit by more than 40 inches of rain and was without power since Aug. 27. It had been shut down since Aug. 25, but a few employees remained until they were evacuated Aug. 29, per the reports.
Elsewhere, the roof of a storage tank partially collapsed at Exxon Mobil Corp.’s (NYSE: XOM) oil refining and chemical campus in Baytown, the Chronicle reportedly separately. The roof is now stable, and the partial collapse isn't creating any containment issues, the Chronicle reports.

Read Full Story Here


More Info Here
Semper Fidelis

[Image: SyAa0qj.png]

USMC
Nemo me impune lacessit
Reply
#2
Wow, that would be really bad if that went up amid the chaos already taking place cos of the storm floods, lets hope it doesn't happen and things can get sorted and those folks can start to rebuild their lives sooner rather than later.

Just came on news that there's been 2 explosions at the flooded chemical works plant, fumes are causing one sheriffs deputy to be treated after inhaling in the fumes that are probably toxic, hope it doesn't get any worse, hope nobody here is in harms way?

Good luck folks stay safe please.
Reply
#3
Ice
I saw that the explosions have happened this morning

Maybe a Hydrogen Peroxide production is one of them

I'm afraid if the price of gas now going to spike
The countries largest oil refiner has closed down
Reply
#4
I was living six miles from crosby in hilands Texas lucky to get out when I did next town over Baytown I think received 50 pluss inches of rain
Reply
#5
DAMN

my best wishes go out to all those involved
Reply
#6
50 inches of rain is one hell of a lot of rain, can see how its worse than Katrina now, hope all your family stays safe Ice, plus anyone else or their families on here if there are any more?

Lets hope the rain ceases and work can be done to help people properly, not just dumped in some sports hall or similar, like what they did to those affected by the huge fire at Grenfell tower in London, they have been treated terribly after all they have been through.
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 3 Guest(s)