Recent Blog Posts

Ammonia Week in Review | March 7, 2025

March 7th, 2025

Ammonia Becomes a Highway Hazard in this week’s edition of the Ammonia Week in Review… I-81 Reopens in Augusta County After Tractor Trailer Crash and Hazmat Cleanup – The tanker truck driver was taken to an area hospital, while the driver of the other vehicle was not injured, VSP said. Hazmat crews are handling the ammonia from the […]

Ammonia Release | Roof Collapse

March 4th, 2025

Summary In December 2016, a roof collapse resulted in a release of approximately 24,000 lbs of ammonia. Two (2) ceiling-suspended evaporators were hung from the roof and fell to the ground when the structure collapsed.  Incident Description During a heavy rainstorm, the roof over a cold storage room collapsed. Two (2) ceiling-suspended evaporator coils fell […]

Ammonia Release | Relief Valve Termination (Intercooler)

January 21st, 2025

Summary In September 2014, the termination of a relief valve to the atmosphere resulted in a release of approximately 2,700 lbs of ammonia. During the release, a roof-mounted exhaust fan pulled ammonia vapor into a highly populated room in the processing facility which exposed 34 employees to ammonia.  Incident Description One of the relief valves […]

Ammonia Release | Relief Valve Termination (High Pressure Receiver)

December 10th, 2024

Summary In July 2017, the termination of a relief valve to the atmosphere resulted in a release of approximately 1,500 lbs of ammonia, and four personnel injuries. Proper operating procedures were not followed during a seasonal startup of the ammonia system. Several mistakes were made which resulted in the high pressure receiver overpressurizing, and the […]

Ammonia Release | Pinhole Leak

November 12th, 2024

Summary In September 2016, the development of a small hole in the wall of an ammonia suction pipe resulted in a release of 15 lbs of ammonia. Neglected insulation breaches allowed moisture to accumulate on carbon steel piping. This resulted in corrosion and eventually, a pinhole developed in the wall of the pipe.  Release Calculation […]