Reed Welker (University of Arkansas)

This SACHE product introduces the fundamental concepts of fires including their extinguishment and control. This streaming video presentation consists of two parts:

Section 1: “Fundamentals of Fire Behavior” describes some of the fundamental characteristics of fires including basic definitions, the fire triangle, and reaction mechanisms. Examples of burning gases, liquids, and solids are discussed and demonstrated in addition to the difference between a premixed flame and a diffusion flame. The importance of turbulence and buoyancy is discussed along with their effects on the behavior and size of large fires. (30 minutes)

Section 2: “Fire Extinguishment and Control” describes the major aspects of fire protection systems. National Fire Protection Association fire classification is discussed. Passive and Active methods of fire control are discussed. Passive methods include inventory reduction, replacement of flammable materials, separation of process areas from storage, diking and impoundment, and fireproofing of structures. Active methods include water for extinguishment and control, regular and high expansion foams, dry chemicals, vaporizing liquids, and inerting agents. Field tests demonstrating these methods are shown. (41 minutes)

Hyperlinks to streaming video sources are included in a word processing file to view the videos.

Log in for downloads of this product.

[ View Comments ][ Add Comment ]

D. Crowl (Michigan Technological University)
S. Mannan (Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University)

This SACHE product contains 31 PowerPoint presentations that were developed in conjunction with two process safety courses taught by the authors of this product at their respective institutions for over ten years. Although many of the presentations are tied to a specific textbook (Crowl and Louvar, “Chemical Process Safety, Fundamentals with Applications,” Prentice Hall, 2002), the presentations can be used for any safety course (with or without a textbook). Each presentation includes speaker notes. Topics include:

• Introduction
• Toxicology
• Industrial hygiene
• Source models
• Atmospheric dispersion models
• Fires and explosions
• Designs to prevent fires and explosions
• Introduction to relief systems
• Sizing reliefs
• Hazard identification
• Risk assessment
• Accident investigation

These PowerPoint presentations can be adapted to fit the needs of the instructor.

Log in for downloads of this product.

[ View Comments ][ Add Comment ]

R. Willey (Northeastern University)

This SACHE product introduces students to the hazards of handling acrylic monomers along with safe handling practices that are relevant for handling any monomer. Acrylic monomers have some unique challenges including being corrosive and combustible with the potential for unanticipated, uncontrolled exothermic runaway reactions. The product includes five files that give an excellent introduction for handling monomers:

• SACHE Product Introduction 2009: This describes the Rohm & Haas accident including a time line.
• Tank Car Video: This is a TV news report and and Rohm and Haas description of the tank car accident with methyacrylic acid that happened on July 22, 1988. (7 minutes)
• R&H Article: This is a description of an accident investigation method as applied to the Rohm & Haas accident.
• Acrylic Monomer Handling: This is a Rohm & Haas training presentation for safely handling acrylic monomers. Although the presentation is for acrylic monomers, the seven principles described are generally applicable for handling any monomer.
• European Bulletin: A Safe Handling Manual for methacrylic acid developed in Europe.

Note that a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and International Safety Card (containing NIOSH safety information) are included for methacrylic acid; since this information can become stale, updated information (available on the web) should be obtained when this instructional material is used.

Student access: All files are available to students logged into the site.

Log in for downloads of this product.

[ View Comments ][ Add Comment ]

R. Willey (Northeastern University)

This SACHE product summarizes the events that led to one of the most significant toxic releases that has occurred to date in the chemical process industry. This product focuses on the chemical processes involved and can best be used in a course devoted to process safety as well as in courses dealing with chemical kinetics (as an example of a runaway reaction) or related to mass transfer and atmospheric dispersion.
This product includes three resources:

• Bhopal SACHE (Adobe pdf file) includes many details of the accident scenario including descriptions of the plant (and its equipment and piping), background chemistry, and potential hazards along with detailed references.
• Bhopal SACHE Presentation (PowerPoint) includes speaker notes and includes much of the material in the word document.
• The video, “Unraveling Bhopal,” describes Bhopal with many scenes of the city, plant, and accident scenario. This 16 minute video was produced by the Union Carbide Corporation and includes details of the accident and the subsequent Union Carbide investigation illustrating the details and complexities of an accident investigation. The video is available through streaming video in BhopalDescription.pdf.

Log in for downloads of this product.

[ View Comments ][ Add Comment ]

R. Schneider (CCPS Staff)

This SACHE product is a relatively short CCPS concept book that includes a basic description of the processes involved in accidental releases of chemicals and the resulting downwind concentrations of gases, vapors, and aerosols. It describes the complex physics of neutrally buoyant vapors, dense-vapors, high-momentum releases, boiling and evaporating liquids, multiphase flow, and aerosol releases.

The focus of this document is not on the calculation methods, but on the physical problem descriptions. This information will give the reader an excellent background to understand the assumptions and results of dispersion analysis useful in developing emergency response plans or as a part of a process hazard analysis. The document is also a useful tool to assess methods to prevent or mitigate releases.

The material is intended only as a basic introduction to dispersion modeling and the interested reader is encouraged to consult the cited references for further information.

Log in for downloads of this product.

[ View Comments ][ Add Comment ]