CLOVERLEAF OF LEMARS - Executive Summary |
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Cloverleaf of Lemars owns and operates a refrigerated warehouse facility at 1609 18th Street S.W. in Lemars, Iowa. The facility is known as Cloverleaf of Lemars. Cloverleaf of Lemars houses a engine room, which contain 6 compessors ranging in size from 125-horse power to 250-horse power. This engine room also contains most of the ammonia holding vessels with the exception of two vessels which are located outside the building structure. The system comprises of various refrigeration components including compressors, evaporators, vessels, pumps and condensers. The ammonia refrigeration system is operated with a variety of safety devices employed within the system, included are high and low pressure automated shutdown systems and high level automated shutdown systems. Alarm systems are utilized to provide early detection of problems within the system before shutdowns occur. Equipment operating parameters are monitored throughout the day and logged for comparison to indicate potentia l problems. There have been no reportable releases of ammonia at this facility within the last five years. This facilities emergency response program is an action plan to evacuate the facility and allow the local Fire Department to intervene and bring the situation under control. This plan has been discussed with the responding Hazmat Team. Cloverleaf is in the process of upgrading their emergency response to a higher level of partcipation and plans to have training and procedures in place before the year 2001. Worst-Case Scenario. - Failure of the largest storage vessel when filled to the greatest amount allowed would release 5,300 pounds of ammonia. This vessel normally contains a maximum 2,500 pounds of ammonia but if the makeup valve stuck open it could contain 5,300 pounds of ammonia before the high-level system shutdown would occur. Alternate-Scenario. - The scenario chosen for the alternate scenerio is one of a pipe being broken clear through and to have a wide-open, unde formed, open end. The pipe size is a 1/2-inch schedule 80 type, with an operating pressure of 57 psig. The release rate from a pipe fracture of this type would be 450 pounds per minute. Calculation for release time duration of 2 through 30 minutes showed the toxic end point to be no greater than .2 mile radius around the facility. |