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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #133050
State Police #11-04700
Accident Date2011-08-05
Report Date 2011-08-11
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Benzene26h 30mHydrocrakcer unitNONOYES17.1 pounds
Toluene26h 30mHydrocrakcer unitNONONO6.7 pounds
Carbon Monoxide126h 35mHydrocrakcer unitNOYESNO25,826.5 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide126h 35mHydrocrakcer unitNOYESYES5,746.5 pounds
Particulate Matter126h 35mHydrocrakcer unitNOYESNO893.5 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide28h 5mHydrocrakcer unitNOYESNO29.0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)126h 35mHydrocrakcer unitNONOYES12,754.7 pounds
Hexane126h 35mHydrocrakcer unitNONONO51.6 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

The Hydrocracker unit shutdown due to an electrical failure of the motor on P-1940, the charge pump of the 2nd stage of the Hydrocracker Unit. EPN 4-84 and FE-301

Discharge Preventable - Yes

The follow-up note submitted by Motiva indicates that the release was preventable. "With the proper system design and maintenance, oil saturation of the motor windings and electrical wiring could have been prevented."

Notes/Remedial Actions

Operations shutdown and secured the 1st and 2nd stages of the Hydrocracker. A temporary onsite replacement motor for P-1940 was used to restore power to the motor control center to support HCU restart.