“The blast at T2 was among the most powerful ever examined by the CSB.”

“…There are several steps in the process [of producing the gasoline additive MMT]; the first step involved heating and reacting organic materials with metallic sodium. It was during this step the [batch] reactor ruptured. Prior to the rupture, eyewitnesses reported hearing loud hissing, seeing vapor venting, which indicates the development of excess temperature and pressure inside the reactor.”

“Following the rupture of the reactor, its flammable contents mixed with air and ignited, releasing large amounts of thermal energy as seen on the U.S. Coast Guard infrared video released last week. [CG video here] The reactor was designed for high pressure and had steel walls 3 inches thick. Under normal temperatures and conditions, it would require a pressure of several thousand pounds per square inch to rupture this vessel.”

“We recovered large portions of the vessel’s top head—weighing hundreds of pounds—approximately one quarter-mile away. This gives an idea of the tremendous power of the explosion.” (emphasis added)

See the next post for a link to the video... It's a very big "release of thermal energy" !!