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Phillips 66 (2418), Belle Chasse

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #113242
State Police #09-01143
Accident Date2009-03-08
Report Date 2009-03-13
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)NOYESNO627.0 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide28 minutes308F-D-1 (Low Pressure Flare)NOYESYES5.0 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide28 minutes308F-D-1 (Low Pressure Flare)NONONO6.0 pounds
Hydrocarbon28 minutes308F-D-1 (Low Pressure Flare)NONOYES46.5 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Problems with the Coker drum steam condensate operations caused inadequate heating of the"inactive Coke drum. To avoid shutting down the Coker Unit, Operations personnel switched Coker feed from teh "active" drum into the "inactive" drum that was much cooler than normal operating systems. The switch into a cooler coke drum reduced the flow to the 891-K-1 compressor and caused the "compressor kickback" control scheme to activate. This scheme caused the compressor kickback valve to open, sending additional flow to the compressor's suction drum (891-V-15). The pressure in the compressor suction drum increased to the point that the pressure control system opened the valve to the Low PRessure Flare (308F-D-1).

Discharge Preventable - No

Unexpected pressure differential in the compressor suction drum vessel (891-V-15).

Notes/Remedial Actions

Coker unit operations and pressure were stabilized and the valve to the flare was closed.