Dr. Michael Hanks has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and investigates industrial and residential fires and explosions, chemical process incidents, manufacturing process incidents, and hazardous materials release and exposure incidents.
Dr. Hanks is a NAFI-certified fire and explosion investigator. He investigates failures caused by unexpected or uncontrolled chemical reactions and issues due to incompatible materials. He analyzes chemicals to identify unknown materials or contaminants, and evaluates compliance with OSHA regulations for chemical hazard communication and general industry safety practices.
In the past, Dr. Hanks managed a corporate laboratory that performed chemical analysis and product-performance testing, and led the materials development function that was responsible for developing and evaluating coatings and adhesives, thermoplastic compounds, and thermoplastic elastomers. He has failure-analysis experience with polyurethanes, polyolefins, PVC, EDPM rubber compounds and other polymers.
Areas of Expertise
Publications
- Proposed Dimensionless Parameters for Correlating Long-Term, Low-Temperature Ignition of Wood, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, July 2024
- Case Study: Fire Investigation Involving Polymeric Materials and the Potential of Self Heating as a Possible Ignition Source, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, July 2024
- Stratification During Vapor of Gas Freeing of Storage Tanks, 13th Global Conference on Process Safety, January 2017
- Estimating Fuel Gas Concentration in an Enclosed Room, International Symposium on Fire Investigation, January 2016
- Avoiding Accidents and OSHA Citations by Knowing Your Combustible Dust Hazards, Powder and Bulk Engineering, December 2012
- Challenges in Investigating Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe Failures, Journal of ASTM International, January 2011
- Failures Due to Product Changes: The Importance of Performance Testing when Making Product Modifications, Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, January 2009
- Relative Importance of Macro- and Micro-Mixing in Turbulent, Reacting Jets, I&EC Research, January 1995
Case Studies
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Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Failure
ESi investigated a fatal San Bruno pipeline rupture, and determined that automatic valves wouldn't have prevented the initial deadly fireball
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Petroleum Tank Explosion
Investigating a tank explosion after incomplete gas-freeing left flammable methane
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Dust and Hydrogen Explosions
ESi identified ignition sources and hazardous conditions after fatal plant fires, prompting safety audits and corrective actions companywide
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Pilot Plant Explosion Investigation
Investigating root causes and applying engineering insights strengthen plant safety and operational protocols
