NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

May 18, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 226
For more information, contact Ellen Malenfant, DNREC Emergency Response Team, 302-739-9404, or Melinda Carl, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DNREC Continues to Evaluate Sunoco Refinery Explosion and Fire

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Emergency Response Team responded within hours of the Sunoco petroleum refinery explosion and fire Monday evening near Claymont, Del., and is now following up after the issuance of an on-scene Secretary’s Order.

DNREC joined other first responders to assess the potential for harmful emissions to affect nearby communities. The air monitoring conducted overnight did not detect any harmful byproducts such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). DNREC and the U.S. Coast Guard ensured adequate air monitoring in the affected areas and worked to control firefighting water run-off from the refinery that early during the incident had caused a sheen on the Delaware River.

DNREC’s Emergency Response Team was onsite throughout the night and until 7 a.m. Monday, and has remained in communication with Sunoco’s emergency operations center. DNREC has directed Sunoco to submit a detailed incident report within 30 days and will be conducting a follow-up investigation.

The explosion is believed to have occurred in the ethylene production area in the portion of the Sunoco Marcus Hook refinery that is located in Delaware.

Sunoco personnel immediately shut down the feed of ethylene to the unit when the fire occurred and vented the plant to the flare. Sunoco also deployed a contractor to address residual runoff into the river from the explosion.

Ethylene is a common organic chemical produced by thermal treatment of butane  It is used to make many other organic chemicals such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), and ethylene oxide.  By-products of combustion of ethylene are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water.