Document 6BOvOXwk1xrRme57VDJeEak8R
Monsanto Chemical Company Texas City, Texas
June 22, 1959
To: W. E. Repschleger Subject: Spill from 2S3 Separator
cc: F. A. Fisher* C. L. Gilmore S. M. Jones-- E. L. Haile Chief Operators (5) Extras (3)
Description
On Friday, June 19, 1959* at about 1400, an electrical power fail ure caused the complete shutdown of both departments 2 and 3. Immediately before the power failure, department 2 was operating at approximately 107$ of design rates with the LRC 201, 202 and 203 control valves partially bypassed. The spill occured immediately following the electrical power failure.
The unit was blocked in and the spill stepped. An estimated 200 to 300 gallons of organics were spilled of which about 25$ was recovered from the sewer trap. The remainder was removed from the sewers with Halone *s vacuum truck. No organics were spilled to the bay.
Causes
The direct cause of the spill was the failure of all pump3 in the area caused by the sudden Interruption of electrical power. All control valves were closed from the control house and other valves manually closed in the field. High production rates with less holdup time In equipment increase possibility of a spill in the case of a power failure.
Action
Plans are to purchase and Install larger control valves to eliminate the use of bypass valves to meet production rates.
djl SC 16695
LAM023964