Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Invista Tank Explosion
Wilmington, NC - EPA Region IV
POLREP #1
Initial and Final

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Invista Tank Explosion - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject:

POLREP #1
Initial and Final
Invista Tank Explosion

Wilmington, NC
Latitude: 34.2257255 Longitude: -77.9447102

To:

From:

Kenneth Rhame, OSC

Date:

9/28/2010

Reporting Period:

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	5/30/2010	Start Date:	5/30/2010
Demob Date:	5/30/2010	Completion Date:	5/30/2010
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
CERCLA - Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description
On the Morning of May 30th, 2010, EPA received a request from New Hanover County to investigate a fire and explosion that occurred at the Invista Wilmington Plant. Upon arrival, EPA met with Invista staff as well as the local Fire Dept. EPA learned that a fire and explosion did occur at approximately 4:40 am the morning of May 30th. The fire involved an above ground storage tank (T-6305). T-6305 contained Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) at a temperature above 300 degrees Farenheit. The top of the tank had separated landing approximately 150 feet away. Vapors ignited and caught fire.

1.1.2.1 Location
Invista Plant
4600 Hwy 421 N
Wilmington
Tank T-6305 D-Line

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Facility is adjacent to the Cape Fear River.
Damage potential to additional tanks in the tank farm.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Upon arrival, EPA observed the damaged tank, the fire had been extinguished.
Invista investigated damage to adjacent tanks, and provided a Work Plan
to EPA.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative
On the Morning of May 30th, 2010, EPA received a request from New Hanover County to investigate a fire and explosion that occurred at the Invista Wilmington Plant. Upon arrival, EPA met with Invista staff as well as the local Fire Dept. EPA learned that a fire and explosion did occur at approximately 4:40 am the morning of May 30th. The fire involved an above ground storage tank (T-6305). T-6305 contained Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) at a temperature above 300 degrees Farenheit. The top of the tank had separated landing approximately 150 feet away. Vapors ignited and caught fire.
The overpressure and fire is believed to have been caused when methanol inadvertently overflowed from the scrubber system into the T-6305 Tank, the elevated temperatures caused vaporization, and over pressurization which resulted in the incident.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Invista shut down the process line. Invista has completed a root cause investigation and provided a report to EPA and NCOSHA. Invista is in the process of considering and implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Invista investigated damage to the adjacent tanks per the Work Plan provided to EPA. Invista is continuing to evaluate the quantity of the release.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Potential Responsible Party is Invista.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Review Work Plan Provided by Invista

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
See 2.1.2

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
See 2.1.2

2.2.2 Issues
Communication with local responders needs improvement.
Invista has met with local responders to discuss.

2.3 Logistics Section