F/T Aurous Ammonia Release

Location: Small Boat Harbor, Homer
Time/Date: 7:00 p.m., March 10, 2004 . PASSCO Refrigeration (the contractor) that the bank had hired reported the spill to DEC at 11 a.m., March 11, 2004 .
Spill Id: 04239907001
Product/ Quantity: Liquid Ammonia, 150 to 210 pounds as estimated by the contractor.
Cause: One of the valves to the accumulator tank failed while trying to tighten. Because of the valve failure venting at 60 PSI of ammonia vapor, resulted in the contractor dumping the liquid contents of the low pressure accumulator tank to minimize any further ammonia venting.