The Solution to Al’s Frigid Fiasco

Editor’s note: Following is Keith M. Moody’s answer to the problem presented in “Al’s Frigid Fiasco” in the April 2021 issue of PCI.

Polly Mertz’s new emulsion batch was delayed due to some of the ingredients freezing when left overnight on the dock. Polly, eager to start her batch scale-up, had approved placing the drums in a steam-heated room in the plant to allow for warming and easy pumping. When Al noticed smoke coming from the “hot room,” he was able to set off the fire alarm and the sprinklers after two of the drums started smoking and erupting out through the bung holes. What was the material that caused the problem, and what mistake had Polly made in heating up those frozen drums?