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Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #96570
State Police #07-02787
Accident Date2007-05-29
Report Date 2007-06-04
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide10h 30mHigh vibration trip in the HCU Recycle Gas CompressorNOYESNO789.0 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

the startup of the #3 Sulfur Recovery Unit was a result of a shutdown of said unit which was the result of a lack of feed after an automatic safety shutdown of the Hydrocracker (high vibration trip in the HCU Recycle Gas Compressor). The vibration in the compressor was apparently due to surging in the unit during low flow conditions.

Discharge Preventable - No

Notes/Remedial Actions

This incident was not preventable because the erratic performance was not a predictable event. Remedial Measures - MOUSA installed mechanical stops on the spillback valves to prevent erratic performance during low flow situations. MOUSA modified its startup procedure to eliminate the TGT Bypass.