It would be highly unusual for this to be caused by human error. Eighty to 90 percent of reactor incidents are due to system problems.
This was a great opportunity for our local bartenders to show off their best stuff.
We are examining a number of possible explanations for the pressure increase. Loss of control of the reaction leading to excessive heating and boiling of the flammable solvents is a likely cause.
Gaining access to the wreckage will be important in unraveling precisely what happened.
We need to establish the exact configuration of equipment, determine what kind of safety relief system was in place and characterize the damage done by the blast.
An important focus of our investigation will be to understand what was different about conditions on Jan. 31 that could have caused the major accident that occurred.
We try to do something different every year and bring in a good cross-section of bartenders who'll present new and exciting drinks. This is a great opportunity for our local bartenders to show off their best stuff.
