Longview Pulp Plant

Wow. My best wishes for a quick recovery to the injured, my hopes for safe response to the responders, and I'm saddend and sympathetic to those families of those who were fatally injured. For those residents and others within the vicinity of the Longview plant, please comply with orders and notifications of on-scene responders and law enforcement quickly and in an orderly fashion, to allow responders to do their jobs to protect the community.

Shocking.
 
When I worked around there in the olden days, Weyco owned it, and I recall it was the largest mill of its kind in the world. Very complex, a remarkable feat of engineering at every turn.
 
My sympathy to all those affected by the blast. A cautionary reminder that all these refineries, mills, and industries with large storage tanks are not inherently safe. Even when the risk is low, it never goes away.
 
Worked in a pulp mill for 2 years as a batch cook (Port Mellon, BC) before going back to school - that white liquor is nasty stuff.

My sympathies to the families of those impacted and wishing full recovery to those who were injured.
 
Horrible tragedy! The "white liquor" is super caustic and would disfigured a person on contact. I don't envy the medical personnel who will eventually have to gather the remains of the 9 missing workers.
I once worked swing shifts in a factory that daily used caustic chemicals and giant super heated hydraulic presses. Everyday I focused on leaving work with all my fingers and no skin burns. It was hellish. Later when I returned to the university to study my life seemed very easy in comparison.
 
My son's best friend was one of the Longview firefighters that responded. Not a whole lot they could do. Crazy big fire. He was safe.
We haven't asked him any details as he's probably still processing what is probably the biggest fire and death count of his fairly young career.

Praying for the families that lost loved ones. Terrible
 
Is the "liquor" being referred to in the story sulphite waste liquor? That liquid is prominent in paper making and a hellish liquid.
 
Salmo_g said:
Is the "liquor" being referred to in the story sulphite waste liquor? That liquid is prominent in paper making and a hellish liquid.
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Yes , it is used to breakdown wood chips into wood fibers (pulp). It is primarily a mix of sodium hydroxide (lye) and sodium sulfide. It has an extremely high pH (13.5 to 14.0). The solution is highly corrosive and causes severe chemical burns on contact with skin.
 
wanderingrichard said:
The host, Pat, explains how nasty the stuff is

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Thank you for posting. More than I ever wanted to know but 'pleased' I watched and listened to it.

He tells it like it is - very straight-forward and to the point. Will never hear about this level of detail on the news.

Environmental disaster in the making/underway...
 
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A LOT of people were/are at least one person away from knowing someone involved…myself included way down here in Oregon. Truly a sad day… 🙁
 
RCF said:
Yes , it is used to breakdown wood chips into wood fibers (pulp). It is primarily a mix of sodium hydroxide (lye) and sodium sulfide. It has an extremely high pH (13.5 to 14.0). The solution is highly corrosive and causes severe chemical burns on contact with skin.
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Not to mention 120 - 140 F degrees.
 
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If what i've been reading is true, there is no regulating body on that type of tank, the only reponsible party for inspection and maintenence is the owning entity. Not USG, not the State. So, that raises the question of when the tank was last inspected or serviced.

I'll have to dig for the relevant article, so it might be a bit before i can add a link.
 
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