Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Mike Weaver]

I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?
Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank 
was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any
welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.


Appal Energy wrote:

>A bad day at Black Rock...
>
>http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html
>
>
>Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released
>
>
>  02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
>
>KTVB.COM
>
>PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a 
>New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.
>
>One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant 
>last Friday.
>
>The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the 
>explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise 
>Black dead.
>
>The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000 
>gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain 
>about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both 
>products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.
>
>Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the 
>top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a 
>90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. 
>During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was 
>removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. 
>This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his 
>cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and 
>explosion.
>
>The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt 
>force trauma as a result of the explosion.
>
>The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling 
>and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the 
>ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The 
>force of the impact would have killed him immediately.
>
>
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>
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>  
>


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Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Joe Street]

Here's another trick.  When I added a float switch to my hot water tank 
to interlock the heter element, the tank had already been used many 
times for biodiesel.  I evacuated all the air from the tank and then 
backfilled it with inert gas before welding.  If you have a MIG welder 
and you have inert gas it is easy to do this.

Joe

Mike Weaver wrote:

> I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?
> Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank 
> was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any
> welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.
> 
> 
> Appal Energy wrote:
> 
> 
>>A bad day at Black Rock...
>>
>>http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html
>>
>>
>>   Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released
>>
>>
>> 02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
>>
>>KTVB.COM
>>
>>PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a 
>>New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.
>>
>>One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant 
>>last Friday.
>>
>>The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the 
>>explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise 
>>Black dead.
>>
>>The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000 
>>gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain 
>>about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both 
>>products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.
>>
>>Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the 
>>top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a 
>>90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. 
>>During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was 
>>removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. 
>>This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his 
>>cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and 
>>explosion.
>>
>>The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt 
>>force trauma as a result of the explosion.
>>
>>The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling 
>>and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the 
>>ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The 
>>force of the impact would have killed him immediately.
>>
>>
>>___
>>Biofuel mailing list
>>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org
>>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org
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>>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
>>
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>>http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
>>
>> 
>>
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> 


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Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Bill Ellis]

Hey Mike,     Ditto on the water filled gas tank, course back then it seems folks had just a smidge more in the common sense department. In addition if my boss had caught me even close to a gas tank with a torch I would have been in the unemployment line.  Mike Weaver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did anywelding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.Appal Energy wrote:>A bad day at Black Rock...>>http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html>>> Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion
 released>>> 02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006>>KTVB.COM>>PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a >New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.>>One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant >last Friday.>>The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the >explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise >Black dead.>>The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000 >gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain >about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both >products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.>>Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the >top of the tank attempting to install a
 two-inch steel pipe with a >90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. >During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was >removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. >This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his >cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and >explosion.>>The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt >force trauma as a result of the explosion.>>The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling >and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the >ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The >force of the impact would have killed him immediately.>>>___>Biofuel mailing
 list>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org>>Biofuel at Journey to Forever:>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html>>Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):>http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/>> >___Biofuel mailing listBiofuel@sustainablelists.orghttp://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/Wildbill
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Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Mike Weaver]

I was 19 or so.  I got too close to a fuel tank (2-3) feet with a 
cutting wheel on a Ingersol air rotary.  I was cutting off the exhaust 
system.  He smacked me in the back of the head with his rather large 
hand, put his cigar-chomping face into mine and "explained" the facts of 
gas, fumes, flames and explosions.  He then offered to "slap me into 
next week" if I had any problems with it.  Needless to say, the lesson took.

Bill Ellis wrote:

> Hey Mike,
>  
> Ditto on the water filled gas tank, course back then it seems folks 
> had just a smidge more in the common sense department. In addition if 
> my boss had caught me even close to a gas tank with a torch I would 
> have been in the unemployment line.
>
>
> */Mike Weaver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>/* wrote:
>
> I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around
> methanol?
> Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank
> was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any
> welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.
>
>
> Appal Energy wrote:
>
> >A bad day at Black Rock...
> >
> 
> >http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html
> >
> >
> > Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released
> >
> >
> > 02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
> >
> >KTVB.COM
> >
> >PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an
> explosion at a
> >New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.
> >
> >One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel
> plant
> >last Friday.
> >
> >The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today
> into the
> >explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old
> Blaise
> >Black dead.
> >
> >The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000
> >gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank
> contain
> >about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both
> >products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.
> >
> >Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working
> on the
> >top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a
> >90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of
> the tank.
> >During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was
> >removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be
> installed.
> >This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his
> >cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and
> >explosion.
> >
> >The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died
> from blunt
> >force trauma as a result of the explosion.
> >
> >The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the
> ceiling
> >and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the
> explosion, the
> >ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the
> tank. The
> >force of the impact would have killed him immediately.
> >
> >
> >___
> >Biofuel mailing list
> >Biofuel@sustainablelists.org
> >http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org
> >
> >Biofuel at Journey to Forever:
> >http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
> >
> >Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives
> (50,000 messages):
> >http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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>
>
> /Wildbill/
> /Sutton.VT /
>
> 
> Groups are talking. We´re listening. Check out the handy changes to 
> Yahoo! Groups. 
> 
>  
>
>
>
>
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B

Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Appal Energy]

It's sad to be making any comment on such a matter. Here you had a 
family that was on the edge of not only doing something great but 
putting themselves in an enormously better finanacial window to boot. 
Then the bottom falls out.

I don't wish to insinuate anything about the owner/operators. But I can 
see and have seen where the backyard brewer mindset is being applied to 
commercial environements and is begging for accidents to happen. No 
containment. Open-face motors. Open reactors. Wood-fired boilers in 
close proximity to methanol or methanol fumes.

It's one thing to spill a gallon here or lose a motor there or foul up 
in a small way somewhere else when you're working with a five or perhaps 
a 55 gallon pale. It's altogether another when you're handling thousands 
of gallons at a time.

This is now two plants at least that have been lost to methanol related 
fire/explosions. I don't doubt that there will be more and perhaps 
already have been.

At this scale making biodiesel requires as much concentration as walking 
a tightrope across the Royal Gorge with no balance bar.

I have no doubt that a lot of people are going to fail to make that 
connection.

Todd Swearingen


Mike Weaver wrote:

>I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?
>Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank 
>was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any
>welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.
>
>
>Appal Energy wrote:
>
>  
>
>>A bad day at Black Rock...
>>
>>http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html
>>
>>
>>   Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released
>>
>>
>> 02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
>>
>>KTVB.COM
>>
>>PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a 
>>New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.
>>
>>One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant 
>>last Friday.
>>
>>The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the 
>>explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise 
>>Black dead.
>>
>>The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000 
>>gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain 
>>about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both 
>>products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.
>>
>>Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the 
>>top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a 
>>90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. 
>>During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was 
>>removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. 
>>This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his 
>>cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and 
>>explosion.
>>
>>The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt 
>>force trauma as a result of the explosion.
>>
>>The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling 
>>and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the 
>>ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The 
>>force of the impact would have killed him immediately.
>>
>>
>>___
>>Biofuel mailing list
>>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org
>>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org
>>
>>Biofuel at Journey to Forever:
>>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
>>
>>Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):
>>http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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>
>
>
>  
>

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Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Mike Weaver]

It wasn't my intent to be insensitive.  This was a case of operator 
error - a young man didn't realize the danger of methanol fumes
and lost his life. 

Appal Energy wrote:

>It's sad to be making any comment on such a matter. Here you had a 
>family that was on the edge of not only doing something great but 
>putting themselves in an enormously better finanacial window to boot. 
>Then the bottom falls out.
>
>I don't wish to insinuate anything about the owner/operators. But I can 
>see and have seen where the backyard brewer mindset is being applied to 
>commercial environements and is begging for accidents to happen. No 
>containment. Open-face motors. Open reactors. Wood-fired boilers in 
>close proximity to methanol or methanol fumes.
>
>It's one thing to spill a gallon here or lose a motor there or foul up 
>in a small way somewhere else when you're working with a five or perhaps 
>a 55 gallon pale. It's altogether another when you're handling thousands 
>of gallons at a time.
>
>This is now two plants at least that have been lost to methanol related 
>fire/explosions. I don't doubt that there will be more and perhaps 
>already have been.
>
>At this scale making biodiesel requires as much concentration as walking 
>a tightrope across the Royal Gorge with no balance bar.
>
>I have no doubt that a lot of people are going to fail to make that 
>connection.
>
>Todd Swearingen
>
>
>Mike Weaver wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?
>>Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank 
>>was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any
>>welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.
>>
>>
>>Appal Energy wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>>>A bad day at Black Rock...
>>>
>>>http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html
>>>
>>>
>>>  Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released
>>>
>>>
>>>02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
>>>
>>>KTVB.COM
>>>
>>>PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a 
>>>New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.
>>>
>>>One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant 
>>>last Friday.
>>>
>>>The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the 
>>>explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise 
>>>Black dead.
>>>
>>>The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000 
>>>gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain 
>>>about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both 
>>>products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.
>>>
>>>Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the 
>>>top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a 
>>>90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. 
>>>During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was 
>>>removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. 
>>>This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his 
>>>cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and 
>>>explosion.
>>>
>>>The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt 
>>>force trauma as a result of the explosion.
>>>
>>>The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling 
>>>and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the 
>>>ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The 
>>>force of the impact would have killed him immediately.
>>>
>>>
>>>___
>>>Biofuel mailing list
>>>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org
>>>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org
>>>
>>>Biofuel at Journey to Forever:
>>>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
>>>
>>>Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):
>>>http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>  
>>>
>>___
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>>
>>Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):
>>http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>
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>
>  
>


___
Bio

Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Appal Energy]

Actually? I was more in agreement with your sentiments, not deriding 
your comments.

Still, the obvious must be said. Home brew mindsets will not survive if 
gearing up for commercial outputs.

Not saying that the homebrew mindset was the cause of inattention and 
the accident. But I am saying that those who have been doing this for 
awhile and are slowly moving to the commercial end need to take a crash 
course in combustible materials handling or else these types of 
accidents are going to continue.

Todd Swearingen


Mike Weaver wrote:

>It wasn't my intent to be insensitive.  This was a case of operator 
>error - a young man didn't realize the danger of methanol fumes
>and lost his life. 
>
>Appal Energy wrote:
>
>  
>
>>It's sad to be making any comment on such a matter. Here you had a 
>>family that was on the edge of not only doing something great but 
>>putting themselves in an enormously better finanacial window to boot. 
>>Then the bottom falls out.
>>
>>I don't wish to insinuate anything about the owner/operators. But I can 
>>see and have seen where the backyard brewer mindset is being applied to 
>>commercial environements and is begging for accidents to happen. No 
>>containment. Open-face motors. Open reactors. Wood-fired boilers in 
>>close proximity to methanol or methanol fumes.
>>
>>It's one thing to spill a gallon here or lose a motor there or foul up 
>>in a small way somewhere else when you're working with a five or perhaps 
>>a 55 gallon pale. It's altogether another when you're handling thousands 
>>of gallons at a time.
>>
>>This is now two plants at least that have been lost to methanol related 
>>fire/explosions. I don't doubt that there will be more and perhaps 
>>already have been.
>>
>>At this scale making biodiesel requires as much concentration as walking 
>>a tightrope across the Royal Gorge with no balance bar.
>>
>>I have no doubt that a lot of people are going to fail to make that 
>>connection.
>>
>>Todd Swearingen
>>
>>
>>Mike Weaver wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>>>I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?
>>>Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank 
>>>was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any
>>>welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.
>>>
>>>
>>>Appal Energy wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>  
>>>
A bad day at Black Rock...

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html


 Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released


   02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006

KTVB.COM

PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a 
New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.

One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant 
last Friday.

The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the 
explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise 
Black dead.

The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000 
gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain 
about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both 
products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.

Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the 
top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a 
90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. 
During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was 
removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. 
This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his 
cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and 
explosion.

The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt 
force trauma as a result of the explosion.

The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling 
and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the 
ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The 
force of the impact would have killed him immediately.


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Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Mike Weaver]

Ah,

couldn't tell

The only reason I know any of this stuff is that I was once a 
professional mechanic - so I guess I'm one up
on the average home-brewer - I've used a torch and know the dangers.

Appal Energy wrote:

>Actually? I was more in agreement with your sentiments, not deriding 
>your comments.
>
>Still, the obvious must be said. Home brew mindsets will not survive if 
>gearing up for commercial outputs.
>
>Not saying that the homebrew mindset was the cause of inattention and 
>the accident. But I am saying that those who have been doing this for 
>awhile and are slowly moving to the commercial end need to take a crash 
>course in combustible materials handling or else these types of 
>accidents are going to continue.
>
>Todd Swearingen
>
>
>Mike Weaver wrote:
>
>  
>
>>It wasn't my intent to be insensitive.  This was a case of operator 
>>error - a young man didn't realize the danger of methanol fumes
>>and lost his life. 
>>
>>Appal Energy wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>>>It's sad to be making any comment on such a matter. Here you had a 
>>>family that was on the edge of not only doing something great but 
>>>putting themselves in an enormously better finanacial window to boot. 
>>>Then the bottom falls out.
>>>
>>>I don't wish to insinuate anything about the owner/operators. But I can 
>>>see and have seen where the backyard brewer mindset is being applied to 
>>>commercial environements and is begging for accidents to happen. No 
>>>containment. Open-face motors. Open reactors. Wood-fired boilers in 
>>>close proximity to methanol or methanol fumes.
>>>
>>>It's one thing to spill a gallon here or lose a motor there or foul up 
>>>in a small way somewhere else when you're working with a five or perhaps 
>>>a 55 gallon pale. It's altogether another when you're handling thousands 
>>>of gallons at a time.
>>>
>>>This is now two plants at least that have been lost to methanol related 
>>>fire/explosions. I don't doubt that there will be more and perhaps 
>>>already have been.
>>>
>>>At this scale making biodiesel requires as much concentration as walking 
>>>a tightrope across the Royal Gorge with no balance bar.
>>>
>>>I have no doubt that a lot of people are going to fail to make that 
>>>connection.
>>>
>>>Todd Swearingen
>>>
>>>
>>>Mike Weaver wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>   
>>>
>>>  
>>>
I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?
Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank 
was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any
welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.


Appal Energy wrote:



  

 



>A bad day at Black Rock...
>
>http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html
>
>
>Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released
>
>
>  02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006
>
>KTVB.COM
>
>PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a 
>New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.
>
>One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant 
>last Friday.
>
>The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the 
>explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise 
>Black dead.
>
>The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000 
>gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain 
>about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both 
>products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.
>
>Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the 
>top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a 
>90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. 
>During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was 
>removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. 
>This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his 
>cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and 
>explosion.
>
>The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt 
>force trauma as a result of the explosion.
>
>The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling 
>and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the 
>ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The 
>force of the impact would have killed him immediately.
>
>
>___
>Biofuel mailing list
>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org
>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org
>
>Biofuel at Journey to Forever:
>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
>
>

Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Bill Ellis]

I to ment no disrespect, just pointing out that in many stories we read and hear common sence seems to be more and more a thing of the past. The other day I heard of a young carpenter that accidently shot himself on the head with a framing nail gun. It seemed to have jammed on him, you can guess the rest of the story. Fortunally he was not to badly hurt, the nail DID penitrate the skull but not by much. However a few inches one way or another and? I can't believe that he actually pushed the contact foot back with the thing still hooked up to air and something (finger ?) on or near the trigger. Mike Weaver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  It wasn't my intent to be insensitive. This was a case of operator error - a young man didn't realize the danger of methanol fumesand lost his life. Appal Energy wrote:>It's sad to
 be making any comment on such a matter. Here you had a >family that was on the edge of not only doing something great but >putting themselves in an enormously better finanacial window to boot. >Then the bottom falls out.>>I don't wish to insinuate anything about the owner/operators. But I can >see and have seen where the backyard brewer mindset is being applied to >commercial environements and is begging for accidents to happen. No >containment. Open-face motors. Open reactors. Wood-fired boilers in >close proximity to methanol or methanol fumes.>>It's one thing to spill a gallon here or lose a motor there or foul up >in a small way somewhere else when you're working with a five or perhaps >a 55 gallon pale. It's altogether another when you're handling thousands >of gallons at a time.>>This is now two plants at least that have been lost to methanol related
 >fire/explosions. I don't doubt that there will be more and perhaps >already have been.>>At this scale making biodiesel requires as much concentration as walking >a tightrope across the Royal Gorge with no balance bar.>>I have no doubt that a lot of people are going to fail to make that >connection.>>Todd Swearingen>>>Mike Weaver wrote:>> >>>I feel sorry for the guy and his family but using a torch around methanol?>>Back in my wrenching days my boss made sure we knew an empty gas tank >>was more danergous than a full one, and god forbid you did any>>welding the gas tank had to be filled with water first.>>Appal Energy wrote:  >A bad day at Black
 Rock...>>http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1406-explosion_cause.113ae8b1.html> Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released> 02:30 PM MDT on Friday, July 14, 2006>>KTVB.COM>>PAYETTE -- Investigators say they now know what caused an explosion at a >>>New Plymouth biodiesel plant last week that killed a Meridian man.>>One man died at a fire and explosion at a New Plymouth biodiesel plant >>>last Friday.>>The Payette County Sheriff's Office released its findings today into the >>>explosion and subsequent fire at the plant that left 25-year-old Blaise >>>Black dead.>>The cause of the fire was determined to be an explosion of a 25,000
 >>>gallon steel holding tank that Blaise was working on. The tank contain >>>about 30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix. Both >>>products are flammable and give off flammable vapors.>>Investigators say at the time of the explosion Blaise was working on the >>>top of the tank attempting to install a two-inch steel pipe with a >>>90-degree elbow on the end to function as a vent on the top of the tank. >>>During the installation of the vent tube a steel two-inch cap was >>>removed from the side of the tank where the vent was to be installed. >>>This allowed the vapors to escape from the tank. When Blaise lit his >>>cutting torch it ignited the vapors, which triggered the fire and >>>explosion.>>The Payette County coroner says Blaise it appears Blaise died from blunt
 >>>force trauma as a result of the explosion.>>The explosion would have thrown him violently upward against the ceiling >>>and a large beam that was above him. As a result of the explosion, the >>>ceiling and beam came down and trapped him on the top of the tank. The >>>force of the impact would have killed him immediately.>___>>>Biofuel mailing list>>>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org>>>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org>>Biofuel at Journey to Forever:>>>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html>>Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000
 messages):>>>http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ >> >___>>Biofuel mailing list>>Biofuel@sustainablelists.org>>http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.orgBiofuel at Journey to Forever:>>http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.htmlSearch the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages):>>http://www.mail-archive.com/b

Re: [Biofuel] Cause of New Plymouth biodiesel explosion released

[Kirk McLoren]

It is worse than that.  The device has a safety  The "shoe" has to be depressed so you cant just shoot nails through the air.  He depressed it with his head.  Darwin award     KirkBill Ellis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  I to ment no disrespect, just pointing out that in many stories we read and hear common sence seems to be more and more a thing of the past. The other day I heard of a young carpenter that accidently shot himself on the head with a framing nail gun. It seemed to have jammed on him, you can guess the rest of the story. Fortunally he was not to badly hurt, the nail DID penitrate the skull but not by much. However a few inches one way or another and? I can't believe that he actually pushed the contact foot back with the thing still hooked
 up to air and something (finger ?) on or near the trigger. Mike Weaver <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:   It wasn't my intent to be insensitive. This was a case of operator error - a young man didn't realize the danger of methanol fumesand lost his life. Appal Energy wrote:>It's sad to be making any comment on such a matter. Here you had a >family that was on the edge of not only doing something great but >putting themselves in an enormously better finanacial window to boot. >Then the bottom falls out.>>I don't wish to insinuate anything about the owner/operators. But I can >see and have seen where the backyard brewer mindset is being applied to >commercial environements and is begging for accidents to happen. No >containment. Open-face motors. Open reactors.
 Wood-fired boilers in >close proximity to methanol or methanol fumes.>>It's one thing to spill a gallon here or lose a motor there or foul up >in a small way somewhere else when you're working with a five or perhaps >a 55 gallon pale. It's altogether another when you're handling thousands >of gallons at a time.>>This is now two plants at least that have been lost to methanol related >fire/explosions. I don't doubt that there will be more and perhaps >already have been.>>At this scale making biodiesel requires as much concentration as walking >a tightrope across the Royal Gorge with no balance bar.>>I have no doubt that a lot of people are going to fail to make that >connection.>>Todd Swearingen>>>Mike Weaver wrote:>> > 
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