Zenith Sintered Products, Inc. - Germantown - Executive Summary |
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ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICIES Zenith Sintered Products, Inc. is committed to the prevention of any accidental release of anhydrous ammonia at their facility. Zenith Sintered Products' policy is to adhere to all applicable Federal and State rules and regulations in order to 1) prevent unnecessary human exposure, 2) reduce the threat to employees' health, and 3) reduce the threat to nearby members of the community. Safety depends upon the safety devices inherent in the design of the operation, the safe handling procedures used, the training of personnel, and the manner in which an accidental release is handled. REGULATED SUBSTANCES Zenith Sintered Products utilizes anhydrous ammonia at the facility for heat treating as part of the sintering process. The anhydrous ammonia is dissociated through the use of heat and a catalytic reaction, forming nitrogen and hydrogen gases. The hydrogen is utilized as a heat source at the furnace, and the nitrogen is u sed as a blanketing mechanism at the furnace as a barrier to unwanted contaminants. Anhydrous ammonia is received in a 12,000 gallon tank and a 15,000 gallon tank. The tanks are not filled to greater than 82% capacity. RELEASE SCENARIOS Worst-Case Release Zenith Sintered Products used the EPA's "Risk Management Program Guidance for Offsite Consequence Analysis" to determine the worst-case release scenario. Standard operating procedures limit the filling of this vessel to no greater than 82% of capacity. Failure of the 15,000 gallon tank filled to 82% capacity would release 5,640 pounds per minute for ten minutes. The scenario assumes a wind speed of 1.5 m/s, stability class F, and urban terrain. The distance to the endpoint of 200 ppm is 2.7 miles. No passive mitigation was considered in determining the worst-case release. Alternative Scenario Zenith Sintered Products used the EPA's "Risk Management Program Guidance for Offsite Consequence Analysis" to calculate an alternativ e release scenario. Zenith Sintered Products chose a two-inch diameter hole in one of the storage tanks which could release 7,550 pounds per minute. The scenario assumes a wind speed of 3.0 m/s, stability class D, and urban terrain. The distance to the endpoint of 200 ppm is 0.5 mile. No passive or active mitigation were considered. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM Zenith Sintered Products complies with EPA's Accidental Release Prevention Rule and OSHA's Process Safety Management Standard as well as all applicable state codes and regulations. Properly trained Zenith Sintered Products' employees conduct daily and weekly inspections and maintenance activities on the anhydrous ammonia system. FIVE YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY There have been no accidental releases of ammonia in the past five years that have caused any deaths, injuries, or significant property damage at the facility; nor have resulted in off-site deaths, injuries, evacuations, sheltering in place, property damage, o r environmental damage. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM Zenith Sintered Products implements an emergency action plan in accordance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.38. Employees receive training on an annual basis. The facility will notify the fire department in the event of an emergency. The Washington County LEPC has developed an Offsite Plan to address a release of ammonia at the facility. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY Zenith Sintered Products believes that safety improvement is an on-going process at the facility. Improvements to the program will be made as necessary or as the opportunity arises. |