Real Transport Safety Issues

["Estabrooks, Bates (IHK) " <IHK@Y12.doe.gov>]

While I am sure that Norm Cohen is getting tired of the thrashings from

RADSAFE folks, he needs to understand that what solicits these responses is

the seeming disingenuous "safety concerns" that those of his ilk raise.

Until DOT requires that LNG/Propane travel in Type B containers (as they do

with spent nuclear fuel, HLW and TRU waste), perhaps Mr. Cohen should direct

his energies/concerns to that arena.  The excerpt to follow, from the EPA

link given, should have "Salem Unplugged" pulling their own plug and turning

their attention to LNG tankers.  From the EPA:



		"SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 



		I. Background On September 8, 1996, more than 35,000 gallons

of propane were released during a delivery at a bulk storage facility in

Sanford, North Carolina. During the unloading of a specification MC 331

cargo tank motor vehicle into two 30,000-gallon storage tanks, the discharge

hose from the cargo tank separated at its hose coupling at the storage tank

inlet connection. Most of the cargo tank's 9,800 gallons and more than

30,000 gallons from the storage tanks were released during this incident. If

this large quantity of propane had reached an ignition source, 125 people

(workers, residents and emergency responders) could have been killed. The

hazards associated with transportation of liquefied petroleum gas have been

demonstrated repeatedly on U.S. highways. In fact, propane releases are the

second leading cause of death in hazardous materials transportation. Between

1990 and 1991, five reported deaths and 695 injuries resulted from propane

incidents in highway transportation. For example, when liquid propane is

released into the atmosphere, it quickly vaporizes into its normal

non-pressurized gaseous form. This happens very rapidly, and in the process,

the propane combines readily with air to form fuel-air mixtures which are

ignitable over a range of 2.2 to 9.5 percent by volume. If an ignition

source is present in the vicinity of such highly flammable mixtures, the

vapor cloud ignites and burns very rapidly (characterized by some experts as

``explosively''). This has occurred a number of times over the years, and

even though the incidents described below were not caused by spills during

lading transfer, they illustrate the grave consequences of a large propane

release when ignition occurs: On July 25, 1962 in Berlin, NY, an MC 330 bulk

transport ruptured releasing about 6,900 gallons of liquid propane. Ignition

occurred. Ten persons were killed, and 17 others were injured. Property

damage included total destruction of 18 buildings and 11 vehicles. On March

9, 1972 near Lynchburg, VA, an MC 331 bulk transport overturned and slid

into a rock embankment. The impact ruptured the tank's shell releasing about

4,000 gallons of liquid propane. Ignition occurred. Two persons were killed

and five others were injured. Property damage included a farmhouse,

outbuildings and about 12 acres of woodland. [[Page 7639]] On April 29,

1975, near Eagle Pass, Texas, an MC-330 bulk transport struck a concrete

headwall and ruptured releasing more than 8,000 gallons of liquefied

petroleum gas. The ensuing fire and explosion killed 16 persons, injured 51,

and destroyed 51 vehicles. On February 22, 1973, 23 tank cars derailed in

Waverly, Tennessee. During wreck-clearing operations, a 30,000-gallon tank

car containing liquefied petroleum gas ruptured. The ensuing fire and

explosion killed 16 persons, injured 43, and caused $1.8 million in property

damage. On December 23, 1988, in Memphis, Tennessee, an MC-330 bulk

transport struck a bridge abutment and ruptured releasing 9388 gallons of

liquefied petroleum gas. The ensuing fire and explosion killed eight persons

and injured eight. On July 27, 1994, in White Plains, New York, an MC-331

bulk transport struck a column of an overpass and ruptured, releasing 9,200

gallons of propane. Ignition occurred. The driver was killed, 23 people were

injured, and an area within a radius of approximately 400 feet was engulfed

in fire."





 

 http://www.epa.gov/docs/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/1997/February/Day-19/t4116.htm

<http://www.epa.gov/docs/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/1997/February/Day-19/t4116.htm> 



Bates Estabrooks

865-574-7376



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