MTBE Storage

Weel, they are spelled "bang" and pronounced "BANG!"

"The only free thing is a source of ignition...." _{- Dr. Trevor Kletz, high-profile plant safety guru.}

A quick internet search indicated that MTBE is rather nasty stuff and that nitrogen blanketing (both in storage and transport) was used primarily for protecting the surrounding environment from it. The vapours are also heavier than air and extremely flammable.

If at all in doubt check your local chemical storage and transport standards and regulations including NFPA 30.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyl_tert-butyl_ether

www.efoa.org/mtbe/pdf/appendix15.pdf

http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&num=100&q=MTBE+material+safety+data+sheet&meta=&aq=f&oq=

The risks are catastrophic. Think about it,.. anything that uses nitrogen blanketing...

Couldn't find a pic of a tank farm, but this will give you an idea of what could happen.

Although the main danger is explosion, MTBE can also form explosive peroxides when in contact with air. It is not as prone to peroxide formation as other ethers, but it can happen after long periods of storage. Peroxides are unstable, and can explode due to friction or vibration.