Question
Explain giving reactions, the plausible explanation for the escape of methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide Ltd. Plant in Bhopal on Dec 2, 1984.
Solution
In the Union Carbide Ltd. Plant in Bhopal, three tanks that stored methyl isocyanate, pressure rose in one of the tanks and blasted. As a result, methyl isocyanate escaped into the atmosphere. Actually, a small amount of water seeped into the storage tank and initiated the following hydrolysis reaction:
Further the water that entered the tank was not pure and impurities present initiated the following polymerisation reaction:
Due to simultaneous occurrence of the above two exothermic reactions, the extremely toxic methyl isocyanate gas from the reservoir escaped into the atmosphere.
