Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(100mt) of methanol (DeWitt, 2002; Perry et al., 1984) if fully
emptied during such an event. A typical truckload of methanol is
8000 gallons (24mt) (DeWitt, 2002). To give an example of scale,
in 1994,
1400 truckloads were delivered throughout California
(CEC, 1994).
Scenario 2: Ship or Barge Release. More than 80% of methanol
produced in the world is shipped between continents (Alliance
Consulting International, 2008). In 2007,
40million metric tons
of methanol were consumed worldwide (Alliance Consulting Inter-
national, 2008). Ocean releases could occur since the vast majority
of methanol imported into the United States is by ship, and river
releases could occur since barges are used for intergulf or river
transport of methanol from regional ports. Typical river barges can
carry just under 418,000 gallons, or
1255mt (DeWitt, 2002).
Deep-sea transport of methanol increased dramatically during
the 1980s and 1990s. Smaller to midsize dedicated methanol
ocean-going tankers range in size from
20,000 to 50,000mt;
some dedicated methanol tankers have a capacity of
100,000mt
(Waterfront Shipping Company Limited, 2010). This corresponds
to a volumetric range of oceangoing ship capacities from
5to
32 million gallons (MG). Assuming that methanol imported from
Canada to the United States is transported entirely by rail (or truck),
and methanol imported from the remaining four primary importing
countries (Trinidad, Chile, Venezuela, and Equatorial Guinea) is
transported by tanker ship, roughly 1.3 billion gallons (BG) of
methanol is imported to the United States each year by ship
(DeWitt, 2002), corresponding to perhaps 75 tanker trips.
Scenario 3: Storage/Fueling Facility Release. The third conceptual
scenario involves the accidental release of methanol to the environ-
ment at a fueling or a storage facility. Methanol is stored at docks
and marine terminals in floating roof tanks; these typically have
elaborate leak detection and safety systems. Methanol is also stored
in aboveground tank farms with aboveground piping and leak
detection and fire suppression systems. While spills may occur
in these mass storage facilities, the larger concern is the possibility
