DSHW-1998-003845 - 0901a068801561a9

PROPULSION GROUP
P.O. BOX 707
BRIGHAM CITY, UT 84302-0707
801-863-3511
19 March 1998
8740-FY98-ST070
rHtOKOL
AEROSPACE & INDUSTRIAI TECHNOLOGIES
Haca I
m 7 3 f,9.Q,R
Division of Snljd K >-hJ^
ommeiu of fcnvironmental Quality
Mr. Dermis R. Downs, Executive Secretary
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Division ofSolid and Hazardous Waste
288 N. 1460 W.
P.O.Box 144880
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4880
Dear Mr. Downs
ATTENTION: Jeff Vandel
Subject: Emergency Storage Permit Request, Thiokol M-136 OB/OD Facility
This letter is being submitted as a follow up to the verbal emergency storage permit granted to
Thiokol by your office on 18 March 1998 based on converations with Mr. Jeff Vandel.
Thiokol corporation receives reactive wastes from Autoliv Inc. for the purpose of treatment in the
M-136 OB/OD facility. These Autoliv wastes are gas generate formulations based on copper
and cobalt with a 1.3C DOT explosive classification. On the aftemoon of 17 March 1998,
4,883 lbs of reactive waste material were manifested from Autoliv into the M-136 bum grounds.
The material,was placed in burr trays and initiators were set to fire the material on the evening
of 17 March. High surface winds made unfavorable buming conditions therefore the material
was not treated. The winds continued throughout the next day (18March) and were monitored
for an opportunity to treat the material. A short window opened up in the early aftemoon but a
misfire resulted in only part ofthe material buming. In this situation our intemal safety
procedures require waiting a minimum of 8 hours before reentering an area to reset the initiators
and complete a bum. As stated in your department guidance (Draft Guidance for Open Buming
and Open Detonation Treatment Facilities) off site waste must be treated within 24 hours. When
it became apparent that this waste would exceed this 24 hour limit, Mr. Vandel was contacted on
the aftemoon of 18 March 1998 at which time a verbal emergency storage permit was granted.
Favorable wind conditions allowed the Autoliv waste to be treated at approximately 7:15 am on
19 March 1998.
As requested by Mr. Vandel, Mr. Keith Larsen with the Bear River Heath Department
Emergency Response organization was verbally notified on 19 March ofthe issuance ofthe
Emergency Storage Permit.
If you need any ftirther information please contact Paul Hancock at 863-3344.
Sincerely,
J. D. Thompson, Director
Environmental, Fire and Security