Ketchikan Pulp Mill; Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska | 1993-Mar-31

Initial Notification: At approximately 0700 on March 31, 1993, a rupture occurred in a 6-inch titanium pipe used in pulp production. The rupture discharged a mixture of wood chips and magnesium bisulfite solution into a floor drain leading to the main sewer outfall and ultimately discharged into Ward Cove. The pH of the spilled magnesium bisulfite solution was approximately 2.0. The digester holds approximately 25,000 gallons of which an unknown quantity ran into Ward Cove. When the spill occurred, gaseous sulfur dioxide was released into the air from the aqueous magnesium bisulfite solution. One employee was overcome by this gas and taken to the hospital, but was released shortly. Due to the prevailing winds, personnel were evacuated from the surrounding buildings until the sulfur dioxide dissipated. A continuous monitoring of the pH on the Ward Cove outfall indicated only a 0.3 drop in the Ph reading when the accident occurred; within the limits of the pulpmill's NPDES permit. USCG district 17. Keyword: none.