DynaChem Technologies, Inc. - Executive Summary

| Accident History | Chemicals | Emergency Response | Registration | Source | Executive Summary |

                                                                                                                                                                            DynaChem's philosophy towards chemical safety is prevention and constant improvement of our chemical handling methods and keeping abreast of the latest technologies. Should an incident occur our priorities are as follows: 
 
1.1 Life safety is the number one priority at all times.  Life safety is the group of activities that ensures that  the threat of injury to people and emergency responders is reduced to the absolute minimum.  This is most easily done by limiting the exposure of  people to danger the absolute minimum. 
                                                                                                                                                                                   1.2 Incident stabilization is the number two priority at all time.  Incident stabilization is the group of activities req 
uired to stop additional damage or danger. 
 
1.3 Limit environmental damage is the number three priority at all times.  Limit environmental damage is the group of activities required to stop or minimize damage or danger to the environment  (air, water or ground), thus reducing long-term effects on the plant and the local community.  clean-up activities start in this phase, but may last longer than the emergency.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
1.4 Property conservation is the number four priority at all times.  Conserve property loss is the group of activities required to stop or minimize property loss.  In a fire incident, this group of activities is known as salvage.  To limit environmental damag 
e, there may have to be an acceptance of greater property loss. 
 
 
DynaChem is an environmentally concerned company that is involved in recycling  antifreeze, waste oil, woodchips, and the recovery of alcohols other chemicals. Products produced include antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, starting fluid and alcohols (alcohols are used in products such as inks, aerosol propellants, flavors and fragrances etc.) '                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               The extremely hazardous substance that is handled is ethyl ether, due to the fact that it is flammable and that it is stored in quantities greater than 10,000 pounds. The ether is received in railcars as a mixture of et 
hanol, ethyl ether and water. This material is separated into the pure components by fractional distillation. The pure ethyl ether (used mainly  in automotive starting fluid) is loaded either into tankwagons or railcars for shipment. Normally up to two railcars each containing 175,000 of ethyl ether are stored on site. 
                                                                                                                                                                                     The worst case release scenario would involve the total failure of a ethyl ether railcar (very unlikely the railcars have a design pressure rating of 100 psig and a safety relief pressure of 75 psig. The normal operating pressure in railcars is 1- 4 psig.) The EPA model indicated that a vapor cloud explosion could travel 0.4 of a mile from our railcar loading station. This could impact about 6 homes in a residential area, however, in reality our warehouse and packaging area would shield these 
residences from any explosion. All transfers to these railcars are constantly monitored and a automatic water spray system is planned that would minimize the effect of a vapor release. _                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
The alternate case release scenario involves the failure of a loading hose for the railcar, which is a more probable occurrence. The EPA model indicated that a release from a hose could cause a vapor cloud explosion that could travel 0.1 miles and would be totally contained on site. Again, all transfers to these railcars are constantly monitored and a automatic water spray system is planned that would minimize the effect of a vapor release. '                                                                                                                                       
 
DynaChem complies with all federal (EPA and OHSA) and state (DEQ Air and Water) and Accomack County zoning regulations. In addition to the EPA risk management plan the site complies to the OSHA process safety management plan. A fugitive emission reduction plan has been put in place. '                                                                                                                                                                           
DynaChem has not had any type of reportable chemical release in the past five years. '                                                                                                                                                                   
DynaChem has coordinated it's emergency response plan with the New Church Fire Department and has filed a copy with the local LEPC. Meetings have been conducted with the local residents to address their concerns. 
 
DynaChem will continue to improve both it's equip 
ment and personnel training to enhance safety at the site.
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