CSB calls on EPA to update HF study

摘要

The US Chemical Safety Board(CSB)wants a 1993 study on the use of hydrofluoric acid(HF)on alkylatiou units located at US refineries to be updated,with a focus on determining whether refineries risk-management plans are sufficient to prevent catastrophic FIF releases as well as the viability of using safer technologies on refinery alkylation units.About a third of the US's 150 refineries utilize HF alkylation units.In an April 23 letter to US EPA Administrator Andrew H.Wheeler,CSB Board Member and Designated Interim Executive Kristen M.Kuknowski wrote,“In the last four years,the CSB has investigated two petroleum refinery incidents where an explosion elevated the threat of a possible release of HF or modified hydrofluoric acid(MHF).In both investigations,the CSB conducted a public hearing in which members of the surrounding communities indicated great concern about the adequacy of the risk-management strategies for the use of HF and the effectiveness of community notification procedures in the event of a catastrophic release.” The two incidents noted in the letter are a Feb.18,2015,accident at the former ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance,California,when an electrostatic precipitator on the FCCU exploded during maintenance activities,and an April 26,2018,explosion and fire at Husky Energy's Superior,Wisconsin refinery.It should be noted neither incident resulted in a release of HF.