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Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #126996
State Police #10-05932
Accident Date2010-10-09
Report Date 2010-10-18
Follow-up Date 2010-10-25
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide42hFLARE - North Flare (EPN:20-72)NOYESNO13,380.0 pounds

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

A pressure relief valve opened at #2 Hijet system due to a malfunction in the #2 Hijet where a line was plugged with ammonia salts. This lead to SO2 emissions at the North Flare (EPN:20-72). FLARE.

Discharge Preventable - No

Murphy Oil states that the incident as not foreseeable and therefore not preventable. A follow-up letter from Murphy Oil states that the refinery "operated and maintained the unit as designed."

Notes/Remedial Actions

RQ. Reportable quantities for sulfur dioxide were exceeded. Immediately the line was cleaned and #2 Hijet was restored to normal operations. A pressure transmitter was installed on the affected line to provide early detection of accumulated ammonia salts. An injection point was installed to allow flushing of the line with hot boiler feed water.