Classroom Settings Report

Comparison of Laboratory Protocols of Classroom Settings to those Practiced on a Commercial Setting

Brittany Weishuhn

24 October, 2015

Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the report is to compare and contrast classroom laboratory procedures, safety, and storage to those practiced on a commercial level as seen at the Texas City Oil Refineries.

COMPARISON OF STORING CHEMICALS

Storage of Chemicals on a Commercial level as seen at the Texas City Refineries

Upon approaching, one of the first things visible to boat passengers is the tank farms. These big white tanks are insulated and dome design is to keep and store chemicals at a cooler temperature, approximately 25°F because chemicals tend to

The two white towers separate oxygen from the air. Distillation on a scale such as this can occur at low temperatures way below 0°C. The Texas City refinery has a long term contract with BP Oil for 30 years, stating that any and all acetic acid that is produced at this refinery will be purchased by BP; thus, ensuring the longevity of the acetic acid unit despite economic problems that may arrive.

Storage of Chemicals in a Classroom Setting

Storage of chemicals in a classroom are less complex than those practiced in the commercial atmosphere. Chemicals are typically stored in the chemical closet within the lab and are keep at room temperature unless the nature of the chemical require other conditions. Chemicals are also diluted, or keep in the most stable state and are not as exposed to the natural elements like those in refineries so less high designed storage material are

In 1947, post-World War II, 2300 tons of Ammonia Nitrate was loaded onto the Grandcamp but shortly after the loading was complete a fire broke out on the ship. Crew tried to put out the flames using water but this did little to calm the flames; they then sealed the fire off so steam began to build up and the pressure began to build up. Shortly after the pressure managed to burst through concealment and Orange/yellow smoke covered the sky and shortly after the Grandcamp exploded claiming numerous lives and causing serve damage to ship near and even downtown buildings. This explosion also claimed the High Flyer after the explosion caused this vessel to collide with another, but a fire began on this vessel too. This 1947 deadly event is considered the worst industrial accident in the U.S. It is easily deduced that if proper knowledge of the traits of Ammonia Nitrate, proper safety measure could have been used to properly extinguish the flames. Today each vessel is labeled by what they are shipping and where they are going. Technicians use high tech equipment to ensure every part of the refinery are running properly and smoothly, so that proper action can be taken if something is not correctly running. Refineries also go through what is called “Turnaround”; this is where a special crew comes in a change changes all the nuts, makes repairs, and changes the catalysts, this