The pumping operations on the site of Lubrizol, devastated by a huge fire on September 26 in Rouen, "will last for several weeks," announced Thursday the prefect of the Normandy region. "The work is not over, I insist, but we now have a plan of attack that is perfectly in place," said Pierre-André Durand during a situation update on site stabilization operations.
"Limit odor problems"
"Massive pumping" is underway and "will have allowed at the end of the week to completely absorb what is called the small tablecloth" located near the barrel shed and "the work will continue next week to complete the large tablecloth" explained the prefect again. "There the work is longer - it is already engaged - since there is more material."
The prefect also said that foggers had been installed "to support these operations and minimize the problem of odors." According to Pierre-André Durand, "we are already beginning to note very significant results on Rouen and I believe that for the population it is something very precious, so much these odors were uncomfortable, disturbing and I add anxiety."
"Very meticulous process"
On the question of removing the remaining drums on the site, "the operator has confirmed the removal of empty drums to date," he said, adding that "next week the temporary containment equipment will be installed to initiate the removal of "damaged" full drums. These 160 was, said the prefect, must be "evacuated very meticulously, especially since it contain a material that produces the odor so unpleasant that the agglomeration knew in 2013," said the prefect.
In January 2013, fumes of mercaptan, a foul gas, had escaped from the Lubrizol plant in Rouen. And to conclude: "The work is progressing at a good pace and we hope obviously that the end of next week, the overall appearance will have changed considerably," added Mr. Durand.