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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 132125 |
| State Police # | 11-03818 |
| Accident Date | 2011-06-29 |
| Report Date | 2011-07-05 |
| 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 Dioxide | 27m | FLARE: C-50 Flare gas recovery compressor | NO | YES | NO | 1,428.0 pounds |
| Flammable Vapor | 10m | FLARE: C-50 Flare gas recovery compressor | NO | NO | YES | 1,421.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure
On 6/29/11, Exxon Refinery experienced a compressor malfunction. Operations personnel at the #2 Light Ends Unit discovered a vapor release from the C-50 flare gas recovery compressor due to a missing jackbolt. This release lasted 10 minutes. Additionally, RHLA-1 unit experienced a release from the channel box of exchanger E-700F. Emissions from this release are currently estimated to be 704 pounds per 24 hours. This release, however, is ongoing.
Discharge Preventable - No
The release was not preventable because it was caused by unforseen mechanical failure. In tthe LDEQ incident report from 11/11/11, this release is classified as preventable.
Notes/Remedial Actions
The compressor was isolated and depressurized to end the vapor release. Removing C-50 from service resulted in reduced flare gas recovery capacity, and flaring ensued. Evacuating C-50 of vapor also resulted in flaring. The spare compressor, C-40, was started once C-50 was secured to end the event. To end the vapor release, the compressor was isolated. To end the flaring, the spare compressor was started. Additionally, development and execution of a plan to repair the 2nd release is underway. Both of these release are above reportable quantity.
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