The Respondent produces, processes, handles and/or stores hydrogen cyanide as part of its Adiponitrile (ADN) Unit. Adiponitrile is manufactured by reacting butadiene with hydrogen cyanide to form Pentenenitrile, which is reacted with additional hydrogen cyanide to produce the Adiponitrile. The hydrogen cyanide is processed at the facility via reaction of natural gas, ammonia and air in the presence of precious metal catalyst at high temperature.
Release #1 – line break activity during clearing of the hydrogen cyanide equipment for scheduled maintenance work during a turnaround
Release #2 – hydrogen cyanide leaked during the start-up of certain process equipment, through out-of-service process equipment to the atmosphere