If you spill Sulphuric Acid in such a large quantity..........doesn't that impact the integrity of the concrete tunnel lining? I would think there would be some corrosive action there to the concrete tunnel lining. None of the articles about the derailment have mentioned that at all. So that is why I asked.
Also what about the rail cars impacting the tunnel walls during the derailment itself, wouldn't that also remove chunks of concrete or result in cracks?
It is well that the tunnel has a good lining; when concentrated sulfuric acid finds water, it gobbles water up and releases heat. 61 years ago, I was rinsing acid bottles and, for some disremembered reason, ran only a little bit into one sulfuric acid bottle. When I lifted the bottle up to empty it, the bottom stayed in the sink, with a nice round edge--the heat of hydration broke the glass at the top of the liquid level.
Johnny
I heard from an inside source that there was indeed a neutralization accident while a acid tank car was being dragged out of the tunnel, a sizeable quantity of acid spilled and ran into the ballast, which of course contains limestone.
Apparently it was quite the performance to watch, multiple side-boom CATs and a whole gang of workmen sprinting out of the tunnel, being chased by a very large cloud of smoke!
All the little explosions and fires outside the tunnel were from the gas tanks and batteries on crushed automobiles.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
SD70Dude ballast, which of course contains limestone.
I was thinking of limestone being in pebbles contained within the cement itself....forgot about the ballast.
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