Atmospheric discharge of the reaction mix from a formo-phenolic resins’ polymerisation reactor

At a chemical facility, the rupture of a safety disc on a formaldehyde-phenol resin polymerisation reactor caused the ejection of 6 tonnes of reaction medium. The mix fell back onto the plant and over a 400-m radius vicinity, with detection in vegetable gardens and on several cars.
This highly exothermic reaction had not been optimised, given: a reactor containing large quantities of reagents; soda poured quickly, triggering a sudden reaction; insufficient cooling and inappropriate temperature settings.

Access to the accident and its detailed report