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Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #79261
State Police #05-03357
Accident Date2005-05-22
Report Date 2005-05-27
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
Hydrogen Sulfide0 h 30 mThermal Oxidizer Cap (no EPN)NONONO0.2 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

A local pressure controller in Unit 19 (Amine/Sour Water Stripper) closed due to high pressure and stopped amine flow to the Regenerator. Amine pump to Unit 15 (Heavy Gas Oil Hydrotreater) was tripped and the Unit 45 Sulfur Plant shut down due to the low amine acid flow. The sulfur plants all went off-ratio and began smoking 2 of the 3 Thermal Oxidizers , exceeding the opacity limit. The Unit 45 Sulfur Plant's Thermal Oxidizer then went below 900 F for app. 9 m which led to excess emissions of Hydrogen Sulfide.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

Under Investigation

Notes/Remedial Actions

An Air Monitoring Team was dispatched and no off-site impacts were found. Operations worked to get the Sulfur Plants back on ratio and minimized emissions. The incident is under investigation.