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Placid Refining (2366), Port Allen

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #135611
State Police #No Information Given
Accident Date2011-11-30
Report Date 2011-12-01
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
Carbon Monoxide13 h 21 mFlareNOYESNO1.2 pounds
Nitric Oxide13 h 21 mFlareNOYESNO0.9 pounds
Particulate Matter 1013 h 21 mflareNOYESNO0.0 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide13 h 21 mflareNOYESNO0.1 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)13 h 21 mflareNONOYES0.4 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

Placid Refining Company operates a flare gas recovery unit that recovers routinely generated gases that would have been otherwise flared in Source ID 18-74. The recovery unit was shut down due to turnaround related unit cleaning activities sending high concentrations of nitrogen and steam into the flare system. This control device bypass was not approved via a variance.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Lack of obtaining prior approval before the shutdown of recovery system was preventable through a variance.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Report states that no RQ's were exceeded. On the other hand, it also says that mass emission permit limits for the flare were exceeded. Placid has requested a GCXVII activity be added to their permit to cover monthly preventative maintenance on the system but this will only cover 5 hours per month. Operations will notify environmental department prior to shutting down system in the future so it can be addressed properly with the agency prior to activity. Report says to see an attached calculation with the name and quantity of released pollutants. Report shows no sign of such calculation.