User:Divercth/sandbox
Wacker Chemie in the United States
[edit]Tennessee Polysilicon Operations
[edit]In 2011 groundbreaking occurred on a new solar-grade polysilicon production facility in Charleston, Bradley County, Tennessee. The original plant became operational in April 2016, costing approximately US$2.5 billion. In June 2017, a US$150 million secondary expansion was announced.[1]
Safety Issues
[edit]- In October 2012, two subcontract workers fell to their death resulting in a temporary suspension of construction activities.[2]
- A TOSHA inspection conducted in March 2016 resulted in a fine of US$3,500 for regulatory violations over the control of hazardous energy.[3]
- A second TOSHA inspection conducted in August 2016 resulted in a fine of US$4,000 for issues stemming from process safety and respiratory equipment.[3]
- On August 30, 2017, 5 workers were hospitalized with chemical burns following a discharge of Silane gas within the plant.[4][5][6]
Explosion and Aftermath
[edit]On September 7, 2017, a massive explosion in the plant's hydrogen recovery unit resulted in steam cloud that could be seen for several miles, as well as the environmental release of low-concentration hydrochloric acid. Due to initial concerns about the composition of the cloud, local officials closed a section of I-75 between Cleveland, TN and Calhoun, TN, as well as Lauderdale Highway in Charleston, TN.[7][3] During the event, seven local residents, and a plant worker were transported to a local hospital with unspecified injuries.[8] A firefighter and four sheriff's deputies were also treated for heat-related symptoms and later released. The following day, officials from the Tennessee Occupational and Safety Administration announced a temporary shutdown of the plant pending investigation.[6] Five days later, an environmental sensor detected elevated levels of an unnamed substance prompting a shelter-in-place order for emergency workers involved in cleanup efforts within the facility.[9]
During the explosion event, local officials instructed residents to shelter indoors with their windows closed and HVAC systems turned off. Nearby residents complained of respiratory distress, and an odd taste in their mouths. This lead to speculation in both local and social media that the cloud contained high-concentration hydrochloric acid,[10] despite media reports to the contrary.[11][12] For the week following the event, there was little-to-no communication from Wacker management or government officials, resulting in further speculation about hazardous chemicals being released into the environment. Wacker management later issued a full-page letter stating that no hazardous chemicals were released.[13][14] One and a half weeks later, Bradley County EMA Director Troy Spence held a press-conference attempting to allay fears, and urging residents to sign up for the county's non-emergency text-messaging service.[15]
Plastics Manufacturing
[edit]At the end of 2007, Wacker took over vinyl acetate/ethylene operations from Air Products Polymers. Consequently, it took full ownership of the activities in Allentown (PA), and Calvert City, Kentucky. [citation needed]
Headquarters
[edit]
Wacker's US headquarters are located in Adrian, Michigan - where Wacker Chemical Corporation is producing Silicon materials.
- ^ Pare, Mike (2017-06-02). "Wacker starts work on $150 million plant expansion in Bradley County". Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Stalvey, Derrall (2012-10-10). "Wacker plant construction idled after death of two workers". Associated Press. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ a b c "Explosion at Wacker is second incident within eight days".
- ^ "Five Wacker Workers Hurt in Chemical Explosion".
- ^ "Five Injured after Incident at Wacker Chemi Plant in Bradley County". WTVC.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ a b "TOSHA investigating chemical release at Wacker plant in Charleston, TN". WBIR.com. 2017-09-08. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ "Tennova treats a total of 13 patients after Wacker explosion Thursday". WTVC.com. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Pace, Mark (15 September 2017). "Wacker personnel still unsure what caused explosion in Charleston, Tenn". Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Gienapp, Emmett (2017-09-12). "Wacker chemical plant sees third incident in two weeks". Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Sohn, Pam (9 September 2017). "Sohn: Wacker owes community respect, safety and honest". Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Pace, Mark (15 September 2017). "Wacker personnel still unsure what caused explosion in Charleston, Tenn". Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Walton, Judy (2017-09-08). "Wacker staying closed until blast cause found, fixed". Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Hudson, Mary (2017-09-14). "A Letter to our Community" (PDF). Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Pace, Mark (14 September 2017). "Wacker chemical company releases letter to community after Charleston explosion". Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Mincey, Allen (23 September 2017). "Spence presents Wacker incident timeline, stresses need to join NIXLE". Cleveland Daily Banner. Retrieved 26 October 2017.