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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #90901
State Police #06-06044
Accident Date2006-09-26
Report Date 2006-10-02
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: No Information Provided

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNOYESNO593.0 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNOYESYES27.0 pounds
Hydrocarbon28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNONOYES158.0 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNONONO2.0 pounds
Nitrogen Dioxide28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNOYESYES5.0 pounds
Benzene28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNONOYES 
Butene28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNONOYES5.0 pounds
Propylene28mFLARE - #5, #9, #17, #19, #23, #24 FlaresNONOYES4.0 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

a control system power failure at the Refinery Gas Compression Unit caused a reduction in compressor capacity due to poor compressor control. As a result of the reduced capacity, the compressors were unable to process all of the refinery gas and the excess gas was routed to the refinery flare syste

Discharge Preventable - No

Notes/Remedial Actions

This incident was not preventable because the failure of the compressor control system was a result of a failure in both the primary and alternate power supply systems. The back-up power system should have supplied power to the compressor control systemwhen the primary failed to do so because of an electrical malfunction. Remedial Measures - an investigation is ongoing and the appropriate follow-up actions will be completed. Reportable quantities for nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide were exceeded.