Document G5mLBXYpO9N6XwLp8d1j3ORxm

IN TER-O FFIC E CORRESPONDENCE Et h y l Ga s o l i n e Co r po r a t i o n Ch r y s l e r Bu il d in g 135 Ea s t 42n d S t r e e t NEW YORK November 21, 1950. Mr. N. D. Siebenthaler, Dear Sieb: Thanks for your letter of November 18th confirming our discussion in Chicago. It is quite in order for your office to communicate direct with division managers on all changes in either equipment or procedure that are ' required in the blending of ETHYL fluid to meet our rules and regulations. I would like to have a copy of your letter to them in order that we may fol low the matter to a conclusion from this end. ^ Eddie Walter submitted the aviation contract, to Mr. Webb yester day. It will probably be a matter of a few weeks before it is ready. How ever, this contract will provide that all- future mixing of ETHYL fluid in aviation gasoline should be done through the eductor system and must meet with our approval. I take it you have not changed your views that you do not consider it necessary for us to go into this matter of mixing Ethyl Aviation Fluid until such time as the contract has been issued and executed by those of our distributors who wish to sell Ethyl Aviation Gasoline, of course on the understanding that no undue delay occurs in accomplishing this With regard to having our field staff inspect mixing points periodically,,-attached hereto is copy of letter we are addressing all of our division managers today which we hope covers the situation. If at any time you should find our field staff is not acting in accord with thse in structions I would appreciate your please letting me know because I believe one of the most important duties that we have is to be sure that all health hazards are entirely eliminated in our operations. It was a pleasure to see you in Chicago and I am only soriy that I did not have more time to spend with you. 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O cjy fc e t Si ^ $' ( fy Q p. -'.'i ' C* 4t* ft''" '& ft;.:ii .vit Fl !& *ft;t;- fj C t 4^ C'*' aa- ^% r% r t 1 frUNfrf P C tft f t il li 0, ft & 4 f- h & s -* * S' ^ Hi a 'S -, 5 H> " n te *. ... fst' * Pf; * S* *, ',i ^4 ft t.P c K p .;`p t - & l-t" * CX " a 5a t * 4" S1i * ";} fO' PH U>.` &f t- H-V9* H e {L*4 i f t s p f ft P r& as M! i l s m f i* ft' *3 c1 #* * ffciS <k i'*1 f. i:V 53' 5 f-. r- <i--5* i. ifH.V i; *> |;i  *% TO ALL DIVISION MANAGERS. ETHYL,GASOLINE CORPORATION CHRYSLER BUILDING 155 EAST 42H'STREET NEW YORK November IO, 1930. About two or three weeks ago a fire occurred at one of the ETHYL fluid mixing plants in Oklahoma. The fluid became very hot and finally the drums exploded. However, as the ex plosion took place the fluid apparently burned and after the fire was over, but very little of it could be found. The arums were quite dry. The fire occurred from a spark from the circulating pump at the Ethyl blending plant which happened after a vapor lock had been fixed in a long gasoline flow line from the storage tank. The fluid itself did not catch on fire until considerable gasoline and oil had burned and the heat was quite intense. The entire blending plant was wrecked. Our field representative, Bob Graham, was Immediately dispatched to the point and he had the refinery people dig a deep hole and bury all of the \-recked equipment. Some small amount of ETHYL fluid also ran down a drain, carried through It "by the water that was poured on to the fire. He had this drain "filled in with earth. Three or four men breathed the fumes of the burning fluid but no one was harmed and they did not become sick from the lead. Of course, they ran away from the fire as quickly as they could. We are writing this summarized report to all division managers in order that they might know what to expect in the event a refijiery fire occurs and ETHYL fluid is in it. We are very doubtful if any sprinkler system would have prevented the explosion of the ETHYL fluid drums. Gasoline heat is very intense of course and water does not diminish it. ,, Of course, obviously, anyone in the vicinity of a burning ETHYL fluid mixing plant should get far away from it as soon as they are able. / There isn't much doubt but that the heat caused decomposition of the ETHYL fluid which set up tremendous pressure which finally burst the drums and at that point the fluid caught on fire but burned rather completely. vae. The main point to be considered, which of course is true of all refinery operation, is the possibility of a spark occurring from an electrically driven pump. We don't want to lay down a rulingthat such pumps should not be used but we think it advisable for our men to recom mend against it in connection with ETHYL fluid operations. If they are used every care should be taken to see that the switches are emerged in oil. This letter is written to you for your confidential information and of course not'1 for general discussion. Very truly yours, N 5483.02 ..