Leaks are unlikely to occur. If it happens, in case of an accident, the release of CO2 will likely be limited as the terminal is compartmented. In case of a leakage in the storage tanks, CO2 will release at very low temperature and will stay on groundlevel as a blanket because CO2 is heavier than air. The cold CO2 may cause a frozen soil, and rapidly the CO2 will start evaporating to the air and dilute. The CO2 will not float as a cloud to residential areas.
Is it safe to have large volumes of CO2 stored, at a land where many other inflammable and explosive products are stored?
CO2 cannot burn or explode, CO2 storage tanks are designed to withstand or ultimately minimize product loss caused by potential hazardous situations caused by its neighbours.
What are the safety risks with CO2?
- CO2 is naturally present in the air, with only very high concentrations posing a potential risk.
- CO2 is a gas that dissipates very rapidly. In extremely rare scenarios where very high concentrations (40,000ppm) are released, there is a risk to the immediate vicinity of the Terminal (e.g. potentially present personnel). The risks to the villages around the port are minimal.
- There is a very low probability of leakage due to selected materials and construction methods. Furthermore, the Terminal design is largely compartmentalized, meaning that it is very unlikely that large amounts of CO2 are released at once.
- Although very unlikely, in the event of a leak of liquid CO2, it would rapidly dissipate in small quantities.
- If CO2 were to be released, clear protocols are in place for handling it. Coordination on this matter is already underway with the safety region (Veiligheidsregio) and emergency services.
- CO2 is primarily inert and non-flammable.