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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #129573
State Police #11-01145
Accident Date2011-03-01
Report Date 2011-03-04
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 Dioxide16 mFlareNOYESNO1,014.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Malfunction of the compressor spillback valve. The Fluidized Catalytic Cracker (FCC) main fractionator overhead accumulator pressure control valve (79PC502F) began to open to flare due to a sudden increase in pressure in the accumulator, which led to flaring at the #1 Flare. The sudden pressure increase was the result of a stuck compressor spillback valve.

Discharge Preventable - No

Not Preventable. The valve malfunction was unpredicted and unforeseen.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Feed rate to the unit was reduced, pressure was reduced and the pressure control valve setpoint was raised. CRLLC has determined the cause of this release to be a malfunction of the compressor spillback valve. The valve has been evaluated by a technician and the pressure control valve setpoints are being reviewed.