Forensic Analysis Of An Overheated Railway Tank Car

Abstract

This Paper Presents The Technique Of An Engineering Analysis Of A Railway Tank Car Anhydrous Ammonia Leak. The Tank Car Had Been Sitting In The Open For Several Days In A Semi-Arid, Desert Like Region Of The Southwestern United States. Introduction Approximately Two Years After An Oklahoma Chemical Plant Had Shipped A 32,000 Gallon Railway Tank Car Of Anhydrous Ammonia, It Was Informed That It Had Been Named In A Lawsuit. The Tank Car Had Apparently Leaked Some Unknown Amount Of The Anhydrous Ammonia, Classified As A Hazardous Material, While Parked On A Rail Siding In El Centro, California, In September 1989. The Dark Colored Car Had Been Sitting On A Rail Siding For 15 Days Awaiting Delivery To Its Final Destination Near El Centro. The Area Is A Semi-Arid Agricultural Region In Southern California, Approximately 70 Miles Inland From The Coast And San Diego. A Well Known Defense Attorney In San Diego, California, Began Evaluating The Case And Assembling A Defense Team. Ultimately The Defense Team Would Consist Of Several Medical Experts, A Mechanical Engineer, An Industrial Hygienist, A Department Of Transportation Regulatory Expert, And A Meteorologist. The Team Started Work In May 1995. This Paper Will Cover Only The Mechanical Engineering Analysis Issues Involved In The Litigation.