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Phillips 66 (2418), Belle Chasse

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #113178
State Police #09-01101
Accident Date2009-03-05
Report Date 2009-03-12
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 Dioxide28 minutes308F-D-1 (Low Pressure Flare)NOYESNO1,480.5 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

The refinery experienced an unexpected trip in the Coker Compressor which resulted in an unexpected release of SO2. Approximately 1,480.5 lbs of S02 was released. The 891-K-1 Compressor tripped off-line due to a low seal oil liquid level inside Tank (891-V-23). This was due to a lack of pressure controller (PCV-152) causing sea oil to spill back into the main Seal Oil Tank (T-2B-X) and not holding enough pressure to keep the overhead seal oil tank properly filled. The compressor's suction sctream is automatically diverted to the Low Pressure Flair (308F-D-1) in an emergency shutdown.

Discharge Preventable - No

"Unexpected trip of the Coker Compressor due to low seal oil liquid level in the Overhead Seal Oil Tank."

Notes/Remedial Actions

The compressor was started and brought online as soon as proper Seal Oil level could be established in the Overhead Seal Oil Tank. "No offsite impact detected."