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Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #98860
State Police #07-04940
Accident Date2007-08-23
Report Date 2007-11-08
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 Dioxide3h 30mFLARE - Malfunction of Air Products Gas Oxygen (GOX) Compressor /South FlareNOYESNO19,000.0 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

the incident was a result of light air hydrocarbon contamination in the supply of pure hydrogen to MOUSA from Air Products resulting from a malfunction of their Gas Oxygen (GOX) Compressor. The hydrocarbon impurities flashed, exceeding the pressure setting on the PSV from the Flash Drum to the Flar

Discharge Preventable - No

Notes/Remedial Actions

This incident was not preventable because MOUSA was unable to predict the malfunction of the GOX compressor at the hydrogen vendor and was not provided timely notification of the problem. There was no malfunction or human error on the part of MOUSA. Remedial Measures - First, MOUSA worked with the Air Products to develop a communications system should they experience malfunctions in the future. Second, MOUSA developed an emergency procedure to react to such an event. Third, MOUSA developed impd monitoring of the flow rate off the PSV to more accurately estimate emissions from such an event. (Flow rate went off scale on the flow meter, so MOUSA re-ranged the meter. A similar event occurred on 9/24/2007 and data from that event suggested th