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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

faulty breaker trip unit (make GE and model Power++ unit) which shut down the entire #2 SRU complex (#1 Amine Unit, #1 Sour Water Stripper, #2 SRU, #2Tail Gas Treater) at 10:20 hours. The breaker was re-set and restarted the #2 SRU at 11:12 hours. Varying rates of SO2 emissions were released at the #2 SRU Incinerator stack while the #2 Tail Gas Treater (TGT) was bypassed as part of the normal procedure. The breaker trip occurred again at 22:00 hours and MOUSA re-set the breaker and restarted the #2SRU at 1:40 hours. MOUSA then planned a unit shutdown at 13:00 hours, replaced the breaker, and restarted the #2 SRU at 14:20 hours. Root cause - faulty breaker trip unit (make GE and model Power++ unit).

Discharge Preventable - No

Notes/Remedial Actions

This was a self report by Murphy. According to the report, they lost power and had to flare. While flaring, sulfur dioxide was released. The LDEQ report cites the GE breaker as the cause of the lost electrical power at Murphy. The Distillate Hydrotreater experienced this type of failure. The breaker was replaced and the DHT was returned to service. The breaker has been sent out for evaluation but it was also replaced with a different brand of breaker and the power has not reoccurred. This incident not preventable because the failure of the breaker trip unit was not a predictable event. Remedial Measures - at the next scheduled shutdown, MOUSA plans to replace the GE component with a more MicroVersa PM breaker trip, which is considered a more r