EXPERTS BLAME LACK OF SAFETY STEPS

Violation of safety parameters led to Saturday’s blaze in Nagarjuna Agrichem Limited’s unit at Chilakapalem, primary investigation has revealed.

According to investigators, the reactor, with a capacity to absorb heat up to 140ºC , exploded when it received heavy pressure above 150ºC.

Sources said block-5 was set up three years ago as part of the company’s expansion and a new technical product, Myclo Butanil, was being produced. Experts suspect anomaly in technology adaptation for the new product worsened the situation. An investigator said the reason behind reactors receiving a higher temperature is yet to be ascertained. “Decomposition of chemicals during the production is suspected to have led to the increase in the temperature,” he said.

The report will be sent for calorimeter study to trace mixing of chemicals and temperature levels.