Investigation into HF release at Honeywell initiated

USA: The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has launched an investigation into the Honeywell manufacturing facility in Geismar, Louisiana, following a dangerous HF release.

The leak on Friday (June 7), described as the third such serious incident at the plant, is said to have left a contract worker performing maintenance work at the plant seriously injured.

HF is an important component in the production of HFC and HFO refrigerants. Its production is based on the action of sulphuric acid on the mineral fluorspar at elevated temperatures, producing hydrogen fluoride. This is then stored as a liquefied gas or used as an aqueous solution.

Built in 1967, the Geismar plant is located on the Mississippi River, about 60 miles west of New Orleans. It produces refrigerants, including R1234yf and R134a.

In October 2021, a Honeywell employee died after being exposed to RF on unprotected areas of his face, ears and neck when a seal in the plant’s pipeline catastrophically failed.

Then, in January last year, a heat exchanger at the Geismar plant ruptured, causing an explosion and the release of around 395 kilograms of hydrogen fluoride and 771 kilograms of chlorine.

Local authorities closed surrounding highways and workers at the plant remained safe. While no one was seriously injured or killed in this incident, CBS insists that under other circumstances the release would have seriously endangered workers at the plant and nearby residents.

Commenting on the latest incident, CSB Chairman Steve Owens said: “This is the third serious incident involving the release of HF at this facility in the last three years. This cannot continue.”

A CSB investigation into the January incident is currently underway.

The CSB Board does not impose fines or tickets, but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry associations, labor organizations and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA.