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E thanol and Ethanol Blended Fuels

E thanol and Ethanol Blended Fuels. RRT III MEETING - BIOFUELS RESPONSE TRAINING -PHMSA Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center September 15, 2009. Emergency Response And Safety Issues. Glen Rudner Co Vice Chairman Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition. Background.

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E thanol and Ethanol Blended Fuels

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  1. Ethanol and Ethanol Blended Fuels RRT III MEETING - BIOFUELS RESPONSE TRAINING -PHMSA Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center September 15, 2009 Emergency Response And Safety Issues Glen Rudner Co Vice Chairman Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition

  2. Background • Increased production, storage and transportation of ethanol blended fuels (E10 and E85/95) • Differing views on effectiveness of various foam concentrates involving ethanol blended fuels (EBF) • Emergency responders generally unfamiliar with EBF industrial processes • Determining if EBF represents a unique hazard for emergency responders

  3. Ethanol Emergencies • Since 2000 • 26 “Major” Fires in the US • 14 Ethanol Plant Fires • 3 Ethanol Tanker Fires • 5 Train Derailments (4 With Fires) • 3 “Ethanol” Tank Fires • Sydney, Australia (Ethanol) • Bayonne, New Jersey (MEK) • Texas City, Texas (MTBE)

  4. Ethanol Distribution • Tanker Truck - E10/E85 • MC306/DOT406 – 9,200 gallon capacity • Rail – E95 denatured • DOT 111A – 45,000 gallon capacity • Barge – E95 • 10-15K BBL capacity/limited access • Ship – limited access • Pipeline – testing now underway

  5. Ethanol and Ethanol BlendingBulk Storage • Plant Storage Tanks • Plant Loading Racks • Truck/Rail/Barge/pipeline • Petroleum Terminals • Petroleum Loading Racks Blend… • E10 • E85 • Retail gas stations

  6. Ethanol Transportation by Rail* • 2004 & 05 - #5 (72,600 loads) • 2006 - #2 (91,000 loads) Projected Volume • 2007 - #1 – 122,070 loads • 2008 - #1 – 165,520 loads • 2009 - #1 – 237,930 loads • 2010 - #1 – 260,690 load *Based on Association of American Railroads Data

  7. Ethanol Transportation By Rail • Increase in Unit Train Shipments • Trains containing 75-100 tank cars • 2.1M to 2.8M gallons of ethanol per train • “Transloading” from rail to truck

  8. Placarding and HazCom • Denatured ethanol (E95) can be shipped as UN1987 • E85, E95 can be shipped as UN 1987 and UN 1993 (flammable liquids NOS) • Gasohol is shipped as UN 1203 (up to 10% ethanol) • New Placard proposed for E85: UN 3475

  9. Ethanol/EBF – A Closer Look • LEL = 3% (EBF 1.4%) • UEL = 19% (EBF 16%) • Miscible in water (hydrophilic) • Flash point = 55 F • Vapor Density = 1.59 (heavy) • Auto Ignition = 973 F\ • Can have oxygenates (MTBE/ETBE) • Conducts electricity (E85) • Galvanic corrosive (attracts water)

  10. Ethanol Fire Risk The heat release rate of “neat” ethanol is roughly two-thirds that of gasoline fuels The burn rate is roughly one-third that of gasoline Ethanol fires emit much less heat through radiation, and therefore may spread more slowly

  11. Ethanol Fire Risk Ethanol is more difficult to ignite than gasoline or diesel fuel in open spaces Lower vapor pressure Lower vapor density and higher diffusion coefficient Higher autoignition temperature (safer in contact with hot surfaces) High concentration (air/fuel ratio) needs for ignition …but ultimately ethanol can ignite & burn …and low visibility of flames presents additional risk Ethanol fire risk still demands respect

  12. Ethanol Fire Risk Ethanol is water soluble (and will not float on water), but even mixtures of low concentration (20%) may remain combustible, and possess a fire point Alcohol resistant (AR) foams are recommended for suppression

  13. Fuels Hydrogen Biodiesel Ethanol (denatured) Ethanol Blends E85 E10 Fire Tetrahedron Fuel Oxygen Heat Favorable chemical chain reaction Fire Fighting OperationsBack to the Basics

  14. Separate Fuel from Oxidizing Source • Foam • Multi purpose dry chemical • Sand • Class D dry powder • Fire blankets • Gel

  15. Remove Heat at a faster rate than being released • Water • Clean Agents • NOVEC 1230 • FM 200 • FE 36

  16. Dilute the Vapor Concentration • Inert Gases • Nitrogen • CO2 • Argon • Steam • Foam Only foam “secures” the vapor

  17. Why use Foam? Many agents can extinguish a Class “B” fire, however foam provides: • Firefighter Safety ! • Prevention of Fuel Ignition, or Re-Ignition • Suppression of Flammable Vapors • Post Fire Security • Economical

  18. How Foam Works • Remove heat at a faster rate than it is released • Separate the fuel from the oxidizing agent • Dilute the vapor-phase concentration of the fuel and/or oxidizing agent below that necessary for combustion • Terminate the chemical chain-reaction sequence

  19. Aqueous Film Forming Foam(AFFF) Solutions Low Surface Tension, Rapidly Spreads Across Surface, High Burn Back Resistance/Quick Knockdown

  20. Standard Foam Polar Solvent Foam Water Miscible Fuel (Alcohol, Esters, Ketones, etc.)

  21. Ethanol – Effective Agents • AR type foams (AR-AFFF and AR-FFFP) are only foams effective on E85/95 - All others are ineffective • AR foams must be applied using Type II application techniques (gentle application - back wall) for bulk tank operations • E10 can be extinguished with AFFF and AR AFFF but require higher application rates for burn back and can be used in Type III application • Dry chemical • CO 2 • Clean Agents • Water (5 times dilution) – may not be practical Size and geometry will dictate agent

  22. Class ‘B’ Foam Agents For Polar Solvent Fires. . . 0-120OF ((-17)-49OC) 35-120OF (2-49OC)

  23. Application Methods • Standard Eductor (venturi device) • Balanced pressure systems • Around the pump • CAFS • Aspirating nozzles (mix with air) • Foam blanket less mobile • Longer drain times • Type II (foam chamber, gentle) • Type III (direct plunge – over the top)

  24. Ethanol Application Tactics • Type II allows gentle application • Type III – direct application to surface of liquid may not be effective

  25. Water Foam Requirements Examples(3% foam) 200 x 100 ethanol spill on fire ½” depth • 200 x 100 = 20,000 sq ft • 20,000 x .13 GPM (application rate) = 2600 gallons of finished foam/minute • 2600 x .03 = 78 gallons concentrate/min • 78 gallons x 15 min (NFPA) = 1,170 gallons needed on site • A 150’ diameter tank surface fire would require 6690 gallons of foam concentrate based on a .20 application rate of 3% foam for 1 hour (per NFPA 11).

  26. Tank Farms

  27. So Where Do We Start? Water supply ID hazard areas – risk analysis Classified electrical areas Flammable liquid processing areas Foam supplies Regional response planning Selection of protection schemes

  28. Storage Tanks/Diked Areas Foam water monitor nozzles Monitors to have manual and remote operation capabilities AFFF-AR foam only Tanks with floating roofs Open foam nozzles located between the floating and fixed roofs Each tank to be an independent system

  29. Applications Surround and drown is an ineffective method for bulk tank fires

  30. Other application Considerations • Dry chemical or hydro-chem for three dimensional fires (fuel burning under pressure, etc) • Use of airport crash trucks (ARFF) should be carefully weighed based on • Foam type • Application rates • Duration • Foam run distances

  31. Port of RotterdamHoseretriever • 1.5 km transport length. • 8 * 8” hoses at once.

  32. Preplanning March 24 – “…ethanol presents a fire challenge. Many small town and rural fire departments across the nation do not buy alcohol-resistant foam to snuff out corn based ethanol fires because it is too expensive. …The proliferation of ethanol is becoming an issue in our communities. …I think we have a severe shortage of alcohol-resistant foam in our communities,…” Employee vs. community response for fire, hazmat response, high angle/ confined space rescue Fire protection master plan should consider the capabilities of local emergency responders

  33. Summary – Ethanol • Ethanol is flammable liquid that has certain risks • Local Risk Analysis and preplanning • Review water supply requirements and fixed fire protection systems • Understand products and extinguishing agents and tactics • AR AFFF is preferred foam – “let the buyer beware” • Understand the importance of application rates and methods – what is your capability? • Lessons learned • TRAINING and EXERCISING Don’t wait until game day to meet your opponent or discover your weakness!

  34. Ethanol EmergencyResponse Coalition Foam Testing involving EBF E10 & E95 Development of test report and video documentation of tests Develop model tactical response procedures Produce training materials Create system to distribute materials & information to emergency responders • IAFC Hazardous Materials Committee • International Liquid Terminal Association • Renewable Fuels Association • Industrial Fire World • Williams Fire and Hazard Control • Tyco/Ansul Fire Protection • Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration/ US Department of Transportation

  35. QUESTIONS

  36. For further information Glen Rudner Hazardous Materials Officer Virginia Department of Emergency Management (703) 441 - 9836 Glen.Rudner@VDEM.Virginia.gov http://www.ethanolresponse.com

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