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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #116493
State Police #09-03754
Accident Date2009-07-14
Report Date 2009-07-21
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
Hydrofluoric Acid32 h 40moutfall 013NONONO3,257.0 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

While an operator was back flushing the HF Alky Unit's heat exchanger, a leak was discovered on the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger released chemicals into the cooling water system (outfall 013) which was subsequently released to the Mississippi River.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

Under investigation.

Notes/Remedial Actions

The Alkylation Unit was shut down. The rates were reduced and the acid was evacuated from the unit. Fluoride samples were measured from the cooling water effluent throughout the shutdown of the unit. The pH of outfall 013 was monitored. Root cause of the leak is being investigation, and the follow up should have been filed.