Site Report: UNOCAL Chemical - Sulfinol Spill
| Site Name: | UNOCAL Chemical - Sulfinol Spill |
|---|---|
| Address: | 47901 Kenai Spur Highway, Mile 21 N. Kenai Road, Nikiski, AK 99635 |
| File Number: | 2323.38.038 |
| Hazard ID: | 124 |
| Status: | Active |
| Staff: | Peter Campbell, 9072623412 peter.campbell@alaska.gov |
| Latitude: | 60.675000 |
| Longitude: | -151.379167 |
| Horizontal Datum: | NAD83 |
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We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.
Problems/Comments
Three thousand gallons of sulfinol (30% water, 50% diisopropanolamine, 20% oxazolidone-by weight, and approximately 100 parts per million (ppm) sodium arsenite) spilled when a valve failed in the closed position. Contaminated soils removed and placed with contaminated soils from previous spills (dates unknown). Spills Reported for Sulfinol at UNOCAL Chemical Plant. The 1983 spill number may be a historical spill number assigned to document the releases. Not sure where the 1983 spill number came from, a release in 1983 could have occured. 1-11-1984 - 300 Gallons Released 1-21-1984 - 300 Gallons Released 1-24-1984 - 900 Gallons Released 3-22-1984 - Notice of Violation (NOV) issued for discharge of sulfinol to the ground surface around the concrete slab containing soils contaminated with sulfanol. 6-26-1984 - 1,000 Gallons Released 6-9-1985 - Spill #1: 15,000 Gallons Released 6-10-1985 - Spill #2: 2,000 Gallons Released Information from contaminated sites followup report in KDO.
Action Information
| Action Date | Action | Description | DEC Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/4/1991 | Site Added to Database | Sulfanol contaminant. | Former Staff |
| 3/4/1993 | Site Ranked Using the AHRM | Site ranked. | Former Staff |
| 5/18/2006 | Update or Other Action | File number 2323.38.038 assigned and entered into the Fileroom database and Contaminated Sites database. | Alyce Hughey |
| 6/14/2006 | GIS Position Updated | Using the facility map in the file, in conjunction with the KPB Parcel Lookup, and TopoZone Pro, entered the coordinates for this site. Metadata includes No Top Basemap, TopoZone Pro Street Maps, Black and White Aerial Photo, on a Medium Size Map, View Scale 1:10,000, Coordinate Datum NAD83. High degree of confidence in accuracy of location. | Alyce Hughey |
| 5/14/2008 | Exposure Tracking Model Ranking | Initial ranking with ETM completed. | Don Fritz |
| 1/26/2010 | Update or Other Action | File review of the Unocal Chemical Sulfinol file, search for missing Tryck Myman & Hayes report. | Don Fritz |
| 1/28/2010 | Update or Other Action | Review file information and modify problem statement/add an action into the database to reflect the composition o fthe sulfinol that was spilled. | Don Fritz |
| 1/28/2010 | Update or Other Action | Problem/Comment section updated to more accurately reflect the releases at the facility during the timeframe reported. The facility utilized the Shell Sulfinol process for removal of carbon dioxide from the synthesis gas prior to converting it to ammonia. The extracted CO2 was used to make urea fertilizer. The facility used the Sulfinol process from plant start-up (1968) until the facility began a conversion to the MDEA process (mid 90's). Sulfinol is the process that was utilized, the mixture utilized over time varied. The Sulfinol process consisted of a solution, initially composed of approximately 45% diisopropanolamine, 20% sulfolane, 20% oxazolidone and 15% water. Diisopropanolamine was the main CO2 absorption amine, sulfolane was used to improve the absorption process and suppressed oxazolidone formation. The oxazolidone compound was a degradation product that had to be removed periodically. By the late 1970’s/ early 1980’s, it was determined that sulfolane was no longer needed and it was thus no longer added. At the time of the releases, the "sulfinol solution was reportedly composed of 30 % water, 50 % diisopropanolamine, 20 % oxazolidone-by weight, and approximately 100 ppm sodium arsenite. The contaminant of concern that was monitored during the cleanup actions was the arsenic, which was an additive to inhibit corrosion. | Don Fritz |
| 11/3/2011 | Update or Other Action | This site is being worked as the UNOCAL Ammonia Urea Plant, and contamination will be addressed upon plant closure. A groundwater Monitoring plan has been developed. Northern Part of the facility is being removed and contaminated areas will be addressed at that time, and a background metal sampling has been approved on March 9, 2011. | Alyce Hughey |
| 11/16/2011 | Update or Other Action | Site transferred from Don Fritz to Peter Campbell per Paul Horwath. | Alyce Hughey |
Contaminant Information
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Requirements
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There are no documents for this site report.
No associated sites were found.