Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #84474
State Police #05-08866
Accident Date2005-12-10
Report Date 2005-12-15
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
Nitric Oxide4h 30mWet Gas Compressor K8101NOYESNO91.0 pounds
Nitrogen Dioxide4h 30mWet Gas Compressor K8101NOYESYES10.0 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide4h 30mWet Gas Compressor K8101NOYESNO9,361.0 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide4h 30mNONONO25.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Coker 2 Wet Gas Compressor K8101 shutdown on multiple occasion for uncertain reasons. On December 13, 2005 it was determined that some shutdown relay wiring on K8101 had become less secure than required for consistent operations.

Discharge Preventable - No

Discharge not preventable; this release is not considered to be preventable at this time.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Chalmette Refinery notified the office regarding a release of Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, and Hydrogen Sulfide on December 10,12, and 13. This is a notification by CRLLC rescinding the notification made relative to Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). Upon further review, the total amount of Hydrogen Sulfide is estimated to be less than the reportable quantity. The RQ for H2S is 100 pounds. Chalmette Refinery estimates that approximately 25 pounds of H2S was released to the atmosphere during the combination of the events. The incident occurred on four separate occasions, during three days. Due to incremental emissions caused by downtime of K8101, the compressor was re-started as quickly as possible during the trips on 12/10 and 12/12. On 12/12, when the compressor once again tripped, the machine was left off-line and refinery instrument and electrical resources were mobilized to conduct more extensive evaluation of the machine before re-start. Coker 2 rates were reduced in order to reduce emissions. It was determined on 12/13/05 that some shutdown relay wiring on K8101 had become less secure than required for consistent operations. The wiring was reinstalled, and the machine was re-started ending the incident. The machine was left off-line until refinery instrument and electrical resources could be mobilized to conduct more extensive evaluation of the machine before re-start. K8101 was repaired in order to minimize recurrence due to the same root cause. Sulfur Dioxide, Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide released to atmosphere through the refinery No. 1 flare.