Characterization of the Initial Cloud of Chlorine Resulting from a 90-Ton Railcar Incident
Abstract
There is concern amongst city planners, the chemical industry, the railway transportation industry, and the Transportation Security Administration about the consequences of a release from a railcar containing a large quantity of chlorine or other toxic industrial chemical while transiting near a city. Estimates using modern dense gas models suggest that tens of thousands of persons could become chlorine casualties. Conversely, recent railway accidents resulting in release of massive quantities of chlorine have resulted in few deaths and low numbers of persons requiring medical treatment. Hazard estimation experts have proposed three mechanisms that the models do not account for that would lead to many fewer predicted casualties: removal of chemical near the source by absorption into and reaction with surface materials, vegetation, water, and air; better interpretation of human toxicity values for inhalation exposure; and increased release duration at the source resulting in lower concentrations over a longer exposure period. This paper addresses the last of these mechanisms by proposing a physical process, referred to as a mist pool, which results in lower chemical concentrations downwind of the release location. The sequence of physical processes proceeding and including characterization of the mist pool is presented for an example incident.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 24, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA527610
Entities
People
- Shannon B. Fox
- Timothy J. Bauer
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center