The plant had established operating procedures for the production of high-purity butadiene, intended to minimize the formation of popcorn polymer. No measures were indicated.

Current Theory on Causation—Popcorn Polymers The CSB's investigation appears focused on the possible presence of "popcorn polymer" in the process vessels and associated piping.

A pipe that had filled with "popcorn polymer" ruptured at the Port Neches TPC Group chemical plant, causing 6,000 gallons of butadiene to gush out, instantly vaporize, ignite and cause a massive ...

In the CSB's new safety video, which is titled “The Danger of Popcorn Polymer: Incident at the TPC Group Chemical Plant,” an animation demonstrated the events leading to the incident and ...

Related: What caused the 2019 TPC explosion? New report from Chemical Safety Board details 6,000 gallon butadiene leak Popcorn polymer can form in equipment when oxygen and butadiene react.

ExxonMobil explosion victims were awarded nearly $30 million after what has been deemed one of the largest industrial explosions on the Gulf Coast.

Investigators found that the popcorn polymer had accumulated in a pipe connected to a pump that had been taken out of service for several months.

According to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board 's report, ongoing issues with popcorn polymer formation at the TPC group facility prior to the explosion were a probable cause.

A pipe that had filled with "popcorn polymer" ruptured at the Port Neches TPC Group chemical plant, causing 6,000 gallons of butadiene to gush out, instantly vaporize, ignite and cause a massive ...