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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #84015
State Police #05-08369
Accident Date2005-11-21
Report Date 2005-11-28
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
Sulfur Dioxide12mNo. 2 Crude Unit Prefractionator (Prefrac) TowerNOYESNO841.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: No Information Given

Pressure spikes on the No. 2 Crude Unit Prefractionator Tower coupled with increased Overhead Accumulator levels, and problems maintaining tower bottoms circulation. The tower pressure exceeded the process relief valve set pressure, ad the Prefrac Towerrelieved to the No. 2 Flare resulting in Sulfur Dioxide emissions in excess of reportable quantity.

Discharge Preventable - No

Notes/Remedial Actions

In an effort to stop the release, bypasses were opened o the water boot level controllers on both the Atmospheric and Prefrac Towers, and the Prefrac Overhead fin-fans were started. Prefrac Bottoms product was slopped due to water content and the Stabilizer Tower was also shutdown. Following determination by Refinery Personnel that the problem was due to a false Prefrac Bottoms level indication, the level was dropped by increasing the flow to slop, returning tower operation to normal. The level tritter is scheduled for repair in order to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence.