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Here's what I think is going on in Garden Grove, California. This massive tank of methyl methacrylate (MMA), an organic chemical (like benzene or paint thinner) used for creating aircraft transparencies - think fighter jet canopies - and structural adhesives - for gluing graphite composite structural components together - has supposedly sprung a leak.
It's not the liquid escaping that is the problem. But it's the access of air to the material through the leak causing the material to cure. Just like a tube of glue will eventually harden if it has a leak. The chemical reaction that causes this material to cure and harden is an exothermic reaction. That means when the reaction occurs, it gives off heat. Last I heard, the temperature of the liquid had risen from room temperature to 90° F. It's kind of like a runaway nuclear reactor situation. There's no nuclear material involved but it's the same idea. It's a runaway chemical reaction involving a large mass of material trapped inside of a structurally compromised tank.
The vapors produced when this material cures are toxic. Of course the liquid material itself is highly toxic and you wouldn't want it flooding into storm drains and such if the tank gives way. That would be an environmental catastrophe. But it would also be catastrophic, of course, if the curing reaction continues to take place, causing a pressure buildup in the tank and the tank explodes, releasing chemical vapors into a highly populous area.
Chemists from GKN, the aerospace corporation where this is taking place, are putting themself in harm's way to monitor the situation, as well as local hazmat crews. The options being talked about are definitely about major damage control. Something bad is going to happen. It is not a situation where things are under control. Severe environmental damage is at high risk level and high consequence level. - Steve Slocum
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Having lived for so many years at the Jersey Shore, there's one weather-related thing I know for a fact.
The weather on Memorial Day weekend is almost always shit. This year is no exception up there.
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The only thing you really need to know is that there are probably four or five people drawig really good salaries at NOAA who's major function is to come up with totally irrelevant data like this. Juss' sayin'...
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Watching the PGA Championship reminds me that I'm as wild a driver off the tee as Tiger Woods is on the road. Did you ever hit a golf ball so far to the left it grew blue hair and started protesting?
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Birthday or Anniversary coming up?
Here's a great idea for a gift for her
They're simple yet elegant - and come to you with free shipping!
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