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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 110037 |
| State Police # | 08-06650 |
| Accident Date | 2008-10-13 |
| Report Date | 2008-10-20 |
| 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 Dioxide | 14m | Flare | NO | YES | NO | 627.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Process Upset
An Emergency Isolation Valve (EIV) on the suction to GLA-2X compressor at the Catalytic Cracking unit unexpectedly closed. As a result, gases that normally feed the compressor were sent to the Refinery Gas Compression Unit as capacity allowed, and the remainder was flared. The flares burned for 14 minutes while unit personnel investigated the source of the flare. When the EV was found in the closed position, the controller immediately opened it to resume flow to the compressor and stop the flaring.
Discharge Preventable - No
The cause of the EIV closure is unknown at this time and is being thoroughly investigated.
Notes/Remedial Actions
The flares burned for 14 minutes while unit personnel investigated the source of the flare. When the EV was found in the closed position, the controller immediately opened it to resume flow to the compressor and stop the flaring. Feed rates to the Cat unit were reduced from 117 to 104 KBD. The EIV was reopened to resume flow to the compressor. This release exceeded the RQ for SO2.
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