So really, I guess, this being the case, the blame may not belong on the people who made that decision. But I think some blame belongs somewhere. I think if it's just a choice between which bad outcome was least bad, what's done is done. From there we look to why it happened, and also the response to it. So, Norfolk Southern deserves criticism. Biden administration deserves criticism.It's really tough to get vinyl chloride down to where it's not going to evaporate very quickly at atmospheric pressure. Once the cars were broken open and started depressurizing it would be about like a propane tank emptying. Boiling point is below the freezing point of water and vapor pressure is very high.
I still think they made the right call to burn it as fast as it was coming out. Waiting and getting a thermobaric ignition after it was allowed to pool probably would have flattened that town and killed a lot of people including the guys trying to stop the discharge.
After the crash there really were no good outcomes, only ones less bad.
BLEVEs are cool and scary as hell at the same time.
BLEVEs are cool and scary as hell at the same time.
So really, I guess, this being the case, the blame may not belong on the people who made that decision. But I think some blame belongs somewhere. I think if it's just a choice between which bad outcome was least bad, what's done is done. From there we look to why it happened, and also the response to it. So, Norfolk Southern deserves criticism. Biden administration deserves criticism.
The press is being 'aggressive and inappropriate'.
What?
Oh, I see. They finally get QUESTIONS, and they're not used to it.
I believe, but could be wrong based on some technicality in the shipping agreement, that The responsible party is the NS Railroad. Not the owner of the materials being shipped. The railroad owns the tracks and is responsible for the crews and for meeting regulations and safety standards and schedules.I'm curious as to who the owner of the material is. Some corporation purchased this chemical either domestically or it is imported.
Depending upon incoterms, there may be some liability against that entity.
Of course. We do not know the terms of purchase.I believe, but could be wrong based on some technicality in the shipping agreement, that The responsible party is the NS Railroad. Not the owner of the materials being shipped. The railroad owns the tracks and is responsible for the crews and for meeting regulations and safety standards and schedules.
Are you?Are you a Chemist?