The Emergency Management Department launches expert guidance services on butadiene safety for 57 enterprises in 8 provinces
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Recently, the Ministry of Emergency Management launched expert guidance services on diborene safety, aiming to encourage diborene-related enterprises to implement tailored improvement measures, thereby enhancing their capacity to manage major safety risks and preventing and curbing severe accidents. Butadiene has reactive chemical properties and tends to undergo self-polymerization or even violent polymerization, posing high inherent safety risks; it is therefore a hazardous chemical that is subject to strict regulation. In recent years, there have been numerous safety accidents involving butadiene both domestically and internationally. As part of this guidance service, experts from relevant industry associations and key enterprises will be brought together to develop guidelines for identifying safety risks and hazards, taking into account the dangerous properties of butadiene and the requirements for its safe management. Building on the self-inspections carried out by these enterprises in advance, experts in areas such as processes, equipment, electrical systems, and safety will form 4 expert teams to provide on-site guidance to 57 enterprises in 8 key provinces that constitute major butadiene hazard sources of level 1. These teams will also verify the results of the enterprises’ self-inspections and local inspections, thereby serving as a model to encourage relevant local authorities and central state-owned enterprises to conduct more thorough inspections. During the guidance and support process, for any major safety hazards and significant issues identified, the expert team will promptly forward them to the provincial emergency management departments for targeted supervision, to ensure that corrective actions are carried out thoroughly and yield actual results. At present, various expert teams have gone to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, Guangdong and other places to provide on-site guidance services.
Butadiene usually refers to 1,3-butadiene; it is an important component of the C4 fraction and one of the basic raw materials in the petrochemical industry. It is primarily used in the production of synthetic rubbers such as chloroprene rubber and cis-butadiene rubber. It is also employed in the synthesis of ABS resin, SBS resin, BS resin, MBS resin, as well as other organic chemical products. It has wide applications in the production of fine chemicals as well, making it an important basic chemical raw material. The level of processing and utilization of butadiene is also an important indicator of the development level of the petrochemical industry. However, at the same time, butadiene possesses hazardous properties such as a low flash point (-76°C) and a low lower explosion limit (1.4%), making it flammable and explosive. It reacts readily with oxygen to undergo oxidation reactions, forming reactive peroxide polymers. These peroxide polymers can decompose rapidly and catch fire upon impact or exposure to heat, leading to explosions; they also produce reactive free radicals during this decomposition process. Butadiene peroxide polymers can break down into reactive free radicals at high temperatures or in the presence of catalytic metal ions such as iron ions. These reactive free radicals then react again with butadiene molecules to form terminal polymers, causing the polymer molecules to grow rapidly and expand significantly in volume, which can block pipelines and equipment and ultimately lead to their rupture.
In recent years, there have been numerous explosion accidents in China caused by factors such as the self-polymerization of butadiene. One reason is the peroxides generated by butadiene and the terminal polymers. For example, in the fire and explosion incident that occurred on February 6 at a petrochemical company in Gansu involving the butadiene plant, it was caused by peroxides or auto-polymerized substances present in the liquid being discharged by the operators during maintenance work on the reboiler; these substances ignited spontaneously when exposed to air. The second reason is due to factors such as butadiene leakage. For example, the explosion that occurred on October 26 at the MBS production plant of a certain chemical technology company in Shandong was caused by a damaged sight glass in the gas-liquid separator of the polymerization reactor; the leaked butadiene, styrene, and other substances combined with air to form an explosive mixture, which exploded upon encountering an ignition source.
On August 7, 2022, the Provincial Emergency Management Department held a video conference in Jiaxing Port Area to launch the expert service and guidance program for styrene-related enterprises in Zhejiang Province. An expert team from the Ministry of Emergency Management explained the significance of this expert service and guidance initiative, while Team Leader Wang Haiqing outlined the arrangements related to the inspection work carried out as part of this program. Yu Chengliang, an inspector from the Hazardous Chemicals Division of the Provincial Emergency Management Department, noted that the expert service and guidance provided by the Ministry of Emergency Management for styrene-related enterprises is part of the special rectification efforts in high-risk sectors. It represents an important measure to prevent serious accidents, as well as a means to assess the quality of self-inspections and corrective actions taken by these enterprises. It is necessary to continue to deepen these special rectification efforts. First, conduct regular inspections; enterprises should use the safety risk assessment form specific to butadiene manufacturers and organize specialized personnel to carry out self-inspections. Second, it is necessary to provide good cooperation in terms of learning and training; in response to expert services, guidance, and inspections, key personnel should be dispatched to enhance explanations, coordination, and learning, thereby effectively improving the professional capabilities of enterprises. Third, enforce safety regulations strictly; assign special oversight to major safety hazards that are identified, and initiate legal proceedings against those who commit serious safety violations. A dual investigation should be conducted for each case, simultaneously addressing the illegal and irregular activities of intermediary agencies such as those engaged in safety assessments. Fourth, by drawing lessons from this case, the provincial department will organize experts to conduct special inspections of other butadiene manufacturers.
On August 8, in accordance with the schedule, the expert group conducted an inspection to provide expert guidance to Zhejiang Transfar Synthetic Materials Co., Ltd. Over the course of a day, they examined aspects such as safety management, process equipment, and electrical instruments, and held discussions on related issues; they also offered suggestions regarding prevention of polymerization and leaks, process design, and outdated equipment. Cao Guorong, a member of the Party Committee and deputy director of the Municipal Emergency Management Bureau, attended the video conference to launch the expert service and guidance program for styrene-related enterprises; the emergency management bureaus of Jiaxing City and Jiaxing Port Area also participated in the inspection related to this expert service and guidance initiative.
Three suggestions are put forward to ensure the effectiveness of this guidance and support service: First, attach great importance to it, draw parallels from similar situations, and maximize the impact of this guidance and support； Second, conduct a thorough comparison and use key cases as examples to implement corrective measures in a high-quality and meticulous manner ； Third, conduct in-depth study and learning, draw on best practices, and accelerate the development of a professional regulatory team.