MMA tank evacuation in California. Technical explanation. An answer to 10 different assumptions in different threads.

[Melon]

6. I just retread an article listed on the volumes.

The overall tank is 34,000 gallons. That’s slightly over a rail car of material. A rail car holds approximately 4 tanker trucks of volume to give you an understanding. The tanks can never be absolutely full.

The fire chief says that they could have a 7,000 gallon spill. That is one tanker truck. It may sound like a lot but that is not huge. It could also mean that the tank is only 1/4 full.


I would think that if that is the case. 1. The tank containment area should hold most of the spill unless it violently explodes. 2. There is a chance that the pressure bleeds with a small rupture and does not explode.

My assumption is on the volume in the tank. I could be wrong if the tank is actually full but the safety folks think that 1/4 the material would spill in a rupture. I don’t know how the chief is getting his numbers.