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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #131805
State Police #11-03474
Accident Date2011-06-13
Report Date 2011-06-20
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
Hydrogen Sulfide27h 18mfin fan on the Cat Feed HydrotreaterNONONO111.3 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)27h 18mfin fan on the Cat Feed HydrotreaterNONOYESBRQ

Accident Classified As:

Cause of Problem: Corrosion

Aire release of hydrogen sulfide and compressed flammable gas from fin fan on Cat Feed Hydrotreater at Chalmette Refining. According to the refinery letter, "the Cat Feed Hydrotreater (CFHT)Unit lost power during a transformer switch, resulting in a pressure increase, and the subsequent leak on the E-7778 fin fan." It was determined that the cause was premature corrosion in the overhead fin fans of the CFHT Unit.

Discharge Preventable - No

According to the Refinery Letter, "the pressure increase associated with the loss of power to the Unit did not exceed the rated pressure capacity for E-7778 fin fan and the fin fan was within its normal service life."

Notes/Remedial Actions

RQ of hydrogen sulfide. BRQ of VOCs. Inventory was removed from the unit and system pressure was reduced in order to stop the leak and make necessary repairs Chalmette Refining retained U.S. Risk Management to perform community monitoring during the event. The fin fan tube was isolated until repairs and/or replacement are completed.