Cone Ag Service, Inc - Executive Summary

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                                     CONE AG-SERVICE, INC.  -  2400 E. Dakota, Pierre, SD  57501 
 
 
 
                                Certification Statement for the RMP Program 2 Anhydrous Ammonia 
 
 
 
To the best of the undersigned's knowledge, information and belief formed after reasonable evaluation and by actual knowledge of the facility and process, the information submitted is true, accurate and complete. 
 
 
                                                                                                      Timothy Brandlee 
_________________________________                                    __________________________________ 
Signature                                                                                         Print Name 
 
 
Assistant Manager                                                                         5/31/99                                 __________________________                                                   ______________ 
Title                      
                                                                            Date 
 
 
 
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Ammonia 
 
 
The accidental release prevention and emergency response policies at our facility. 
 
This facility complies with the 1989 ANSI K 61.1 "Safety Requirements for the Storage and Handling of  
 
Anhydrous Ammonia".  In addition, it is our policy to adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws. 
 
 
 
Cone Ag-Service, Inc. Mission states "To provide for the safety of our employees, our customers and the  
 
general public".  In order to fulfill this mission, Cone Ag-Service, Inc. provides a EHS group to maintain and  
 
administer comprehensive safety and environmental programs and procedures.  EHS field safety services 
 
supervisors audit and monitor facility compliance with the safety standards of the company. 
 
 
 
Anhydrous ammonia is stored in 2 stationary storage tanks [1@ 18,000 gallon; 1 @ 12,000 gallon] on site. 
 
154,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia is the maximum storage  
capacity of stationary storage tanks.  In  
 
addition, anhydrous ammonia that may be stored in rail cars is 460,000 pounds.  Therefore, the total  
 
facility is 620,000 pounds.   The largest single storage vessel at our facility contains 160,000 pounds. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The worst case scenario. 
 
 
Our worst scenario is the loss of the total contents of the 80 ton rail car, when filled to the greatest amount 
 
allowed (85% of capacity), released as a gas over 10 minutes, resulting total vaporization.  The maximum 
 
quantity released would be 160,000 pounds.  According to DEGADIS modeling, this release (distance to  
 
point of dispersion to 200 PPM) would have off site impact.  It should be noted that Cone Ag-Service, Inc.  
 
has never had a release of an entire stationary storage tank. 
 
 
 
Alternative Release scenario 
 
 
The most common alternative release scenario(s) from our facility would not reach an end-point off site. 
 
The alternative release scenario modeled for the purposes of this plan is a 2- 
minute release from a  
 
stationary storage tank representing a valve and hose failure requiring a manual shut down.  The total 
 
amount of anhydrous ammonia released in the scenario would be 27,000 pounds.  This release scenario 
 
(distance to point of dispersion to 200 PPM) would have off site impact.  It should be noted Cone Ag- 
 
Service has not had a release of this type from any distribution facility. 
 
 
 
The general accidental release prevention program and chemical-specific prevention steps. 
 
 
The ammonia system is designed, installed and is maintained in accordance with ASTM standards and the 
 
ASME codes.  This facility complies with the ASNI K 61.1 standards (1989), OSHA (29 CFR 1910.111), 
 
EPA's Accidental Release Prevention Rule as well as all applicable federal, state, and local codes and  
 
regulations. 
 
 
 
Our ammonia system is protected from major releases by internal excess flow valves, check valves,  
 
relief valves, manual shutoffs and emergency shutoff valves.  The load-out 
risers used for the purpose 
 
of filling the nurse tanks are protected by excess flow valves and fill line breakaways to immediately stop 
 
the flow of ammonia if a line or a hose fails.  All of the main storage tank valves and the riser load valves 
 
are locked when not in use. 
 
 
 
Our ammonia system is inspected on a regular basis with maintenance and preventive maintenance  
 
scheduled and documented.  Liquid and vapor valves, hoses, excess flow valves, gauges, and relief  
 
valves are replaced when necessary and/or according to the guidelines in the ANSI standards. 
 
 
 
All locations are required to conduct their own internal audit utilizing checklist survey forms that are  
 
reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to ensure all applicable federal state and local regulations  
 
are covered.  The manager conducts comprehensive annual audits at every location to measure regulatory 
 
compliance including those governing the safe handling and storage of anhydrous ammonia. 
 
 
 
The location has 
a 'site safety coordinator' as an extension of the EHS group.  These coordinators are  
 
given training to monitor the day to day safe work activities, maintain the required regulatory recordkeeping, 
 
conduct regular safety meetings, conduct employee training and act as the location's contact with the  
 
corporate EHS group.  The site safety coordinators act as the location emergency contact. 
 
 
 
A description of our facility and the regulated substances handled. 
 
 
This facility is a wholesale and retail farm supply distribution center as such we store and distribute a wide 
 
variety of pesticides and fertilizers.  Anhydrous Ammonia is received by rail, is handled and stored on-site  
 
and is a regulated substance by the EPA requiring us to comply with the Risk Management Program.   
 
Ammonia is used only for blending into mixed grade fertilizers for crop product                                                                                                                                  
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