Document MMGx82EKoOOqkmNYnovQOmEN7

S/L Copy MONSANTO CHEMICAL COMPANY TEXAS CITY, TEXAS July 20, 1959 Tor W. R. Nlsbet cc: Plant Manager's Safety Board and to: J. 0. McQuarrie 0. D. Rucker R. W. Rotzler W. H. Slager A. E. Withrow N. P. Wood W. P. Zimmertnann/G. T. Ryan E. H.. Jones J. S. Putnam W. E. Alexander/C. Burton S. L Hunter W. E. Repsohleger Subject: Styrene-Ethylbenzene Spill in Department 5 July 16, 1959 SUMMARY: At 1:49 PM on July 16, 1959* a spill alarm was turned in from styrene department 5* The spill consisted of a spray of SM-EB mixture to the pad from a blown flange gasket on the discharge of the 7D4-2 bottoms pump (7P5-4). The spill was immediately stopped by operations with loss of approximately 30 gallons of organics to the department trap. No action was required of the fire department and the all-clear was sounded at 1:51 PM. DESCRIPTION: Contract painters chipped a hole, or holes, in the intermediate column (7D5-2) Jet manifold, causing partial loss of the vacuum on 7^4 and 7D5 columns. The suction and discharge pressures of the 7D4-2 bottoms pump were thus increased. A gasket blew from a flange on the discharge of the bottoms pump (7P5-4). The chief operator was doubtful of the exact location of the spill with reference to the block valve so turned in the spill alarm prior to shutting down the 7P5-4. The pump was stopped and the block valve was closed, stopping the spill. SC 16779 LAM024048 -2- CAUSE: Primary cause was partial loss of vacuum in the 7D4 and 7D5 columns as the result of the hole chipped in the jet manifold by the painters. Contributing cause was a weak flange gasket. CORRECTIVE ACTION: 1) The gasket was renewed and the leaking jet manifold was banded to allow production to continue. 2) The Jet manifolds vrill be replaced as soon as practical. 3) The close watch on surface preparation for painting in this structure will continue. Band chipping was used in stead of hydroblast in an attempt to minimize line fail ures of this nature. The program In progress for several months to replace badly corroded piping in this structure will be intensified. RECOMMENDATIONS: In an area where bad corrosion has occurred, all possible effort should be made to replace weak piping, conduits, vessels, etc., prior to start of the painting preparations of hydroblast and hand chipping. djl SC 16780 H. M. Keatiflg LAM024049