What chemical companies are in West Virginia?
According to the WV Department of Commerce, West Virginia is home to four of the largest chemical firms in the world. These firms include DuPont Belle and Bayer MaterialScience.
Where was the chemical plant explosion in West Virginia?
BELLE, W.Va. — Authorities are investigating the cause of a morning explosion at a Kanawha County chemical plant. The explosion, according to emergency officials, happened in a furnace in the Kureha Unit of the Chemours Plant at Belle.
Where are most chemical plants located?
Chemical plants and sites of heavy industry are often located near coasts and waterways; they were originally placed to take advantage of the ease of shipping products by water, and the proximity to water for cooling.
What region of West Virginia is known as the chemical center of the world?
Kanawha Valley
The Kanawha Valley became known as the chemical center of the world, and South Charleston was nicknamed Chemical City. After World War II, the local industry reached its peak employment by 1950 and then started slowly declining. The chemical industry outgrew the Kanawha Valley.
Why do chemical plants explode?
A chemical explosion is a result of applying an external force to a chemical compound which causes the compound to undergo a structural change, releasing high amounts of heat and gas. The force is known as a catalyst.
What blew up in Harrisonburg?
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – The Harrisonburg Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office has determined that the explosion and subsequent fire at Miller Circle in Harrisonburg Saturday morning was the result of a natural gas leak inside the building.
Is it bad to live near a chemical plant?
Environmental agencies claim that simply living near a chemical plant puts individuals at risk of contamination and disease exposure. While efforts for promoting a clean industry are always being improved, the risks remain as long as humans are charged with operating the machinery.
How long do chemical plants last?
Chemical and petroleum plants require huge, long-term capital investments. The lifetime of a plant, once built, will range from 25 to 50 years. Processes and process designs are almost always customized.
What are the types of explosions?
There are three main types of explosions: chemical, mechanical and nuclear. Each type of explosion can be equally devastating and serious, causing unprecedented harm to the surrounding people, atmosphere and infrastructure. Therefore, understanding different types of explosions and how they occur is important.
What would happen if a chemical plant blew up?
By the creation of gases, the build-up of heat, and the reaction, a chemical plant can become the source of serious and debilitating explosions. These can result in serious plant explosion injuries, such as third-degree burns, and even severe property damage that can affect the local community for years to come.
How does a explosion happen?
An explosion occurs when a large amount of energy is released into a small volume of area in a very short time. Burning very rapidly, explosive material releases concentrated gas that expands quickly to fill the surrounding air space and apply pressure to everything in it.
Was there an explosion in Harrisonburg Virginia?
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – The morning of October 17 was quiet and calm in the Friendly City until an explosion at a small shopping center woke up neighbors. The blast was allegedly felt several miles away.