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Accident # | 128902 |
State Police # | 11-00499 |
Accident Date | 2011-01-28 |
Report Date | 2011-02-01 |
Follow-up Date | 2011-02-04 |
Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
Sulfur Dioxide | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | NO | YES | NO | 2,063.0 pounds |
Nitrous Oxide | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | YES | YES | YES | 3.9 pounds |
Nitrogen Dioxide | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | NO | YES | YES | 0.7 pounds |
Hydrocarbon | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | NO | NO | YES | 51.8 pounds |
Hydrogen Sulfide | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | NO | NO | NO | 0.3 pounds |
Propylene | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | NO | NO | YES | 5.0 pounds |
Methane/Ethane Mixture | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | NO | NO | YES | 1.0 pounds |
Carbon Dioxide | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | YES | NO | NO | 15.5 pounds |
Methane | 14m | FLARE: #4 Unit | YES | NO | YES | 0.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
As the #4 unit was starting up, it had a unit swing. To relieve the pressure, flaring took place. During the same 24 hours, the Powdered Catalyst Unit (PCLA) also underwent startup operations. Difficulties with compressor GLA-2X during startup resulted in additional flaring. As a result of this flaring, 1616 pounds of sulfur dioxide was released. Combined, these two sources release 1,716 pounds of sulfur dioxide. However, in a follow-up letter dated March 21, 2011, ExxonMobil stated that 2,063 lbs of sulfur dioxide were released.
Follow up report states release was not preventable due to unplanned unit shutdown and unforeseen compressor start-up difficulties.
This release is RQ. To end the Light Ends Flaring, pressures on the 4 West Rerun and 4 West Splitter towers were reduced. To end the PCLA flaring, compressor GLA-2X was started. To prevent recurrence, procedures will be reviewed for the Light Ends area startups following unplanned downtimes. Additionally, startup procedures for the GLA-2X compressor will be reviewed.
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