An Operator Averts a Sulfuric Acid Unloading Tragedy

An Operator Averts a Sulfuric Acid Unloading Tragedy 

On a hot summer day j ust four days after the previous incident (and within a nearby chemical complex), a truck driver entered a unit with a load of 98% sulfuric acid. He parked his rig in the correct location, hooked up the chemical delivery hose, and was given clearance to off-load. 

The technical employees understood that mixing water and the 98% sulfuric acid could have caused severe trouble, due to the heat of solution. The generation of heat could have caused a pressure buildup that may not have been controllable by a relief device. Even if the vessel did not rupture, sulfuric acid spray could create severe burns to anyone in the vicinity of the unloading operation. 

Investigating supervisors emphasized housekeeping improvements to the utility stations with signs identifying the services. They also recommended that the air and water stations be separated to reduce the confusion. 

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An operator averts a sulfuric acid unloading tragedy... 

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