Minot Farmers Elevator - Norwich station - Executive Summary

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Minot Farmers Elevator - Norwich, ND 
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 acutual knowledge of the facility and process, the information is true, accurate, and complete. 
 
________________________________________     _____Kevin Peterson__________ 
                             Signature  
 
________________________________________     _____June 10, 1999___________ 
                                  Title 
 
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. 
 
A description of our facility and the regulated substance handled. 
This facility is a retail center as such we retail anhydrous ammo 
nia to farmers.  Anhydrous ammonia is received by truck or rail, is stored on-site and is a regulated substance by the EPA requiring us to comply with the Risk Management Program. 
 
Anhydrous ammonia may be stored. 
The maximum quantity that may be stored on-site is approximately 149,280 pounds.  Therefore, the total capacity of the facility is approximately 149,280 pounds.  The largest storage vessel at our facility contains approximately 149,280 pounds. 
 
The worst case scenario. 
Our worst case scenario is the loss of the total contents of the storage vessel of anhydrous ammonia, which would be a quantity of approximately 75 tons when filled to the greatest amount allowed, 85%, released over 10 minutes resulting in total vaporization.  The maximum quantity released would be 149,280 pounds.  The distance to the end point (point of dispersion to 200 PPM) is 4.4 miles.  It should be noted that Minot Farmers Elevator has never had a release of an entire anhydrous ammonia vessel. 
 
Alternativ 
e release scenario. 
The most common alternative release scenario from our facility would not reach an end point off-site.  The alternative release scenario modeled for the purposes of this plan is a 1 minute release from a transfer hose failure.  The total amount of anhydrous ammonia released in this scenario would be 95 pounds.  The distance to the end point (point of dispersion to 200 PPM) is .10 miles. 
 
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 ANSI K 61.1 standards (1989), OSHA (29 CFR 1910.11), 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.  Our ammonia system is insp 
ected 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. 
 
Training is provided to all employees at minimum annually.  The training consists of classroom lectures, current videos, and hands-on demonstrations. 
 
Five year accident history. 
There has been no accidents involving anhydrous ammonia that caused deaths, injuries, property or environmental damage, including evacuations on or off-site. 
 
The emergency response program. 
In the event of an emergency involving our ammonia system, it is our policy to notify the local community fire department and request that they respond to the emergency.  The local fire department and the local LEPC are both aware of our handling anhydrous ammonia. 
 
Planned changes to improve safety. 
We do not plan to make any changes to the physical site in the imme 
diate future.  We will continue to provide our employees with ongoing annual training to ensure that they are current with all the safe ammonia transfer and handling procedures, and provide regular inspection and maintenance on all the ammonia equipment.
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