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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #89821
State Police #06-04959
Accident Date2006-08-08
Report Date 2006-08-14
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: No

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Nitrogen Oxide20mFLARE - C-30 compressor at the Refinery Gas Compression Unit - Flare #5, 23, 17, 19.NOYESYES15.0 pounds
Flammable VaporFLARE - C-30 compressor at the Refinery Gas Compression Unit - Flare #5, 23, 17, 19.NONOYES1,067.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

C-30 compressor at the Refinery Gas Compression Unit automatically shutdown due to a high vibration alarm. The high vibration alarm was due to work activities from nearby maintenance personnel. As a result of the shutdown, the refinery flared for 20 minutes from #5, 23, 17 and 19 flares. During the 20 minute flaring the #17 flare experienced a 5 minute duration during which the instrumentation indicates that a flame was not present. Hydrocarbons were being emitted to the air via the unlit flare.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

Notes/Remedial Actions

There is no information as to why this incident was preventable. Remedial Measures - an investigation is ongoing and appropriate follow-up actions will be completed. NOTE: During the 20 min. flaring event, the #17 flare experienced a 5 min. duration during which instrumentation indicates that a flame was not present. According to the Light Ends Title V operating permit #2589-V3, issued April 11, 2006, flares must be continuously monitored to confirm the presence of a flame. It is constively estimated that during this 5 min. period when the pilot and flame were extinguished, hydrocarbons were being emitted to the air via the unlit flame. These circumstances resulted in the exceedence of the Louisiana State Police reportable quanti