Tag Archives: Poly[methyl methacrylate]

Pucker Factor Relaxing in LA with Runaway Tanks of MMA

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Sphincters are beginning to loosen in LA with the MMA fiasco tapering into a more banal conclusion. Here MMA does not refer to Mixed Martial Arts. It is the abbreviation for methyl methacrylate, a reactive monomer for the production of PMMA, poly[methyl methacrylate], often called acrylic or Plexiglass. Plexiglass is a generic name like “Xerox” or “Velcro” but it is also trademark.

There was a lot of loose talk about a possible explosion, a B.L.E.V.E., detonation, and vapor plumes. I would categorize this incident as a low frequency, high consequence event.

This being LA, I wonder how long it will take for a movie or miniseries to come out? I vote for Brad Pitt and Scarlett Johansson to star in it and produced by Steven Spielberg. The lead investigator for the US Chemical Safety Board would be Tig Notaro.

Google Earth view of GKN Aerospace location, 12369 Western Ave, Garden Grove, California. Site of evolving chemical (MMA) runaway incident. The three smaller silver-colored tanks are presently being sprayed down with cooling water.

Cooling a large tank of liquid on the outside surface is one of the least effective methods of cooling bulk material. Ideally, a vessel would have an immersed heat exchanger for efficient cooling with agitation and possibly with a cooling jacket. Properties of MMA: 100.3 to 101 oC boiling point; Flash Point 10 oC; vapor pressure of 29 to 37 mm Hg, It is highly flammable.

Google Earth view of GKN Aerospace location, 12369 Western Ave, Garden Grove, California, site of evolving chemical (MMA) runaway incident. To the right of the large tank are the three smaller tanks presently being sprayed down for cooling. Notice the proximity of a residential neighborhood.

It is not uncommon for an industrial park to be near a residential area. But, in my estimation, a chemical plant storing something like bulk MMA near a residential area is not the best situation. You have to ask if the zoning people knew about this proximity situation or if such was even contemplated. This is likely to lead to state legislation or city ordinances. Everyone likes to rush into locking the barn door after the horse has run loose.

Google street view of 12369 Western Ave, Garden Grove, California. Site of evolving chemical runaway incident. The tanks presently being sprayed down for cooling are behind the brown and white tank.

According to Wikipedia, GKN Ltd is a British multinational automotive and aerospace components business headquartered in Redditch, England. They manufacture what are called military “transparency systems”, meaning canopies, windshields and windows.

The MMA in the tanks is converting to a big block of acrylic polymer. If you’re interested in buying it, I’ll bet they will give you a good deal on it …