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Phillips 66 (2538), Lake Charles

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #126826
State Police #10-3590
Accident Date2010-10-02
Report Date 2010-10-08
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 Dioxide45 mWest flare EQT330NOYESNO949.0 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

"During start-up of the HDC [hydrocracker] unit, the amine contactor foamed leading to amine carryover and a high liquid level in the knockout drum which shutdown the recycle hydrogen compressor and triggered depressurizing of the unit to the flare." SO2 release above permitted amounts of 500lbs/hr but below RQs Flame carryover from flaring resulted in a "small" grass fire along the right-of-way of PPG Drive which was extinguished by the Westlake Fire Dept.

Discharge Preventable - No

"It was not known that the amine contactor had such a severe hydraulic restriction which would result in amine carryover at typical amine circulation rates."

Notes/Remedial Actions

"Amine flow to the contactor has been reduced from typical to prevent recurrence."