Global Octanes Corporation - Executive Summary |
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Executive Summary Accidental Release Preventing and Emergency Response Global Octanes Corporation (GOC) in Deer Park, is committed to operating and maintaining all of our processes in a safe and responsible manner. We use a combination of accidental release prevention and emergency response planning programs to help ensure the safety of our employees and the public, as well as the protection of the environment. This document provides a brief overview of the comprehensive risk management activities that we have designed and implemented, including: o A description of our facility and our uses of substances that are regulated by EPA's RMP regulation. o A summary of the results of our assessment of the potential offsite consequences from accidental chemical releases. o An overview of our accidental release prevention programs. o A five-year history of accidental releases for chemicals that are regulated by EPA's RMP rule. o An overview of our emergency response program. o An over view of planned improvements at the facility to help prevent accidental chemical releases from occurring and therefore adversely affecting our employees, the public, and the environment. o EPA (RMP) - Required Certifications. Stationary Source and Regulated Substances At the present time, our facility is a petrochemical manufacturing facility producing methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and propane. Our processes involve the following chemicals that EPA has identified as having the potential to cause significant offsite consequences in the event of a substantial accidental release: Toxic: Ammonia Flammables: Isobutylene Propylene/propane mixture Key Offsite Consequence Analysis Our accidental release prevention programs and our contingency planning efforts help us to effectively manage the hazards that are presented to our employees, the public, and the environment by our handling of these chemicals. EPA's RMP rule requires that we provide information about the worst-case release scenario(s) and alternative release scenario(s) for our facility. The following are brief summaries of these scenarios, including information about the key administrative controls and mitigation measures that limit the exposure distances for each scenario: Worst-case Release Scenario(s) - Regulated Toxic Chemicals The worst case release scenario for a regulated toxic chemical, is the failure of a storage tank containing 4,000 gallons of ammonia. The storage quantity in the tank is limited to 75% of the tank capacity by Global procedure and the scenario assumes a 10-minute release time. The distance to the endpoint under the guidelines established by EPA is potentially 2.2 miles before enough vapor is dispersed to no longer pose a significant hazard to the public. Alternative Release Scenario - Regulated Toxic Chemicals The alternative release scenario involves the disconnection of a loading line from a bulk truck to the ammonia storage tank. The emergency shu tdown system stops the flow instantly. The total loss of product is 13 pounds, which results in the endpoint under the guidelines set by EPA, of 0.06 miles, before dispersing enough to no longer pose a significant hazard to the public. Worst-case Release Scenario - Regulated Flammable Chemicals The worst case release scenario for a regulated flammable chemical is the failure of a storage tank containing isobutylene. The senario for the propylene/propane mixture was evaluated but was found to be not as significant as a release of isobutylene. The storage quantity of isobutylene in the tank is limited to 75% of the tank capacity by Global procedure and the scenario assumes a 10-minute release time. The distance to the endpoint under the guidelines established by EPA is potentially 1.1 miles before enough vapor is dispersed to no longer pose a significant hazard to the public. Alternative Release Scenario - Regulated Flammable Chemicals The alternative release scenario, is the fail ure of a loading pipe to the isobutylene tank, resulting in the release of 4,548 pounds of isobutylene. Such a release could result in the endpoint under the guidelines set by EPA of.07 miles before enough vapor disperses to no longer pose a significant hazard to the public. We are using this information to help us ensure that our emergency response plan and the community emergency response plan address all reasonable contingency cases. General Accidental Release Prevention Program We take a systematic, proactive approach to the prevention of accidental releases of hazardous chemicals. Our management system addresses each key feature of a successful prevention program including: o Process safety information o Process hazard analysis o Operating procedures o Training o Mechanical integrity o Management of change o Pre-startup review o Compliance audits o Incident investigation o Employee participation o Hot work permit o Contractors These individual elements of our prevention pr ogram work together to prevent accidental chemical releases. Our company and our employees are committed to the standard that these management systems set for the way we do business, and, we have specific accountabilities and controls to ensure that we are meeting our own high standards for accident prevention. Five year accident history We keep records for all near misses and significant accidental chemical releases that occur at our facility. The following is a brief summary of accidental chemical releases involving materials covered under EPA's RMP rule during the past five years: Flammables Global has had no releases of isobutylene or propane in the operating history of the facility. Toxics Global has had no releases of ammonia in the operating history of the facility. Emergency response program We maintain an integrated contingency plan, which consolidates the various federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for emergency response planning. Our program provi des the necessary planning and training for effectively protecting workers, the public, and the environment during emergency situations. Furthermore, we coordinate our plan with the community emergency response plan. Planned changes to improve safety At the present, we are not planning any changes at the facility to help prevent and/or better respond to accidental chemical releases: Certification Within the past five years, Global's processes have experienced no accidental releases that caused an offsite impact. No additional measures were necessary to prevent offsite impacts from accidental releases. The undersigned certifies that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, which was formed after reasonable inquiry, the information submitted is true accurate, and complete. Toxic Chemicals Ammonia Flammables Isobutylene Propylene/propane mixture For all other covered processes, the undersigned also certifies that, to the best of my knowledge, information, and beli ef, which was formed after reasonable inquiry, the other information submitted in this RMP plan is true, accurate, and complete. Signature: Eddie O. Reed Title: Plant Manager Date: May 23, 2000 |