Albertville LPG Terminal - Executive Summary |
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The Albertville LPG Terminal is a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage facility. The process is regulated by the OSHA Process Safety Management Program of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, Title 29 CFR 1910.119. This is an RMP Program Level 3 facility. The facility is in the process of implementing a prevention program described below. The Albertville LPG Terminal has a commitment to employee and public safety. This commitment is demonstrated by the resources invested in accident prevention, such as training personnel and considering safety in design, installation, operation, and maintenance of our processes. Our policy is to implement reasonable controls to prevent foreseeable releases. However, if a release does occur, trained personnel will respond to control and contain the release. The prevention program exceeds the requirements of this regulation and includes the following: Employee Participation, Process Safety Information, Process Hazard Analysis, Operating Procedures, Trai ning, Contractor Evaluation, Contractors and Visitor Orientation, Pre-Job Start-Up Review, Mechanical Integrity, Code of Safe Work Practices (Hot Work Permit, Confined Space Entry, Control of Hazardous Energy), Management of Change, Incident Investigation, Emergency Planning and Response, and Compliance Audits. Training includes employee responsibilities in the process safety management program, National Propane Gas Association-certified employee training program, hotwork permit procedure, code of safe work practices, and operating procedures. All visitors onto the property must undergo a site safety orientation and check in prior to each visit. Planned changes to improve safety have been established based on compliance with the process safety management audits every three years and revalidation of the process hazard analysis every five years. The last process hazard analysis revalidation was May 1999. The facility receives, stores and distributes liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). T here are 10 tanks with a capacity of approximately 30,000 gallons each, 1 tank with a capacity of approximately 18,000 gallons, 1 tank with a capacity of approximately 12,000 gallons, and 3 tanks with a capacity of approximately 8,000 gallons each. The tanks are administratively controlled to hold liquefied petroleum gas at 85% of maximum capacity (25,500 gallons, 15,300 gallons, 10,200 gallons, and 6,800 gallons respectively). Coast Energy Group maintains an emergency response plan in compliance with local emergency response agencies. In the event of an accidental release, the facility operators are trained to shut off the source from a safe location or activate one of the emergency shutdown devices, contact 9-1-1 and secure the area. The 9-1-1 system is used to notify the Albertville Fire Department. Based on the criteria set forth in 40 CFR 68.10, this facility has not had an accidental release. This information was verified by reviewing internal records. The worst case release scenario is based on a version of the Baker-Strehlow vapor cloud explosion model created by Wilfred Baker Engineering, Inc. The worse case release simulation of 107,783 pounds of propane resulted in a 1 psi explosion overpressure distance of 0.07 miles. This simulation assumed medium fuel reactivity, medium obstruction and a 3-dimensional expansion. This distance impacts public receptors of adjacent industrial areas and a resident population of 20. In addition, although there are numerous controls in place, none were taken into account for evaluating the worst case scenario. The alternative release scenario for this process is a hose rupture while pumping propane. This scenario was modeled using CANARY by Quest Consultants, Inc., which includes a momentum jet (Ooms) model appropriate for simulating this type of release. This scenario assumed the pump continued to operate at a rate of 255 gallons per minute (gpm) for 10 minutes after the hose ruptured. In addition, a 3 me ter/second wind speed, an atmospheric stability of "D" (neutrally buoyant), a 70% relative humidity and an ambient temperature of 80F were assumed. The simulation calculated that 10,147 pounds of material were released in the assumed time frame. The resulting simulated vapor cloud traveled 0.08 miles downwind to reach the lower flammable limit (LFL) for the propane (2.10%). Mitigation measures were taken into account when evaluating the alternative release scenario. In general, the process does have mitigation measures consisting of relief valves, check valves, manual shutoff valves, automatic shutoffs, startup and operating procedures, grounding equipment, and excess flow devices. The facility operator and truck driver are also in attendance during transfer operations. The engineering and administrative controls in place have been established to reduce the risk of an accidental release of identified hazards. Coast Energy Group is committed to operations that are safe for employ ees and the surrounding community. |