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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 134402 |
| State Police # | 11-06210 |
| Accident Date | 2011-10-05 |
| Report Date | 2011-10-11 |
| 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 |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 8 h 40 m | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | NO | NO | YES | 1,441.7 pounds |
| n-Hexane | 8 h 40 m | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | NO | NO | NO | 111.3 pounds |
| Cyclohexane | 8 h 40 m | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | NO | NO | YES | 32.2 pounds |
| Benzene | 8 h 40 m | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | NO | NO | YES | 25.8 |
| Xylene | 8 h 40 m | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | NO | NO | NO | 0.6 pounds |
| Toluene | 8 h 40 m | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | NO | NO | NO | 0.6 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing
On 10/5/11 at approximately 7:25 pm, the Baton Rouge Refinery discovered a release. A leak was discovered by operations personnel during structured rounds at the Pipestill #9 Unit. The release source was determined by a cooling tower, and investigation determined that heat exchangers in the E-2 bank were allowing hydrocarbon to enter the cooling water system. Upon discovery, personnel lowered the E-2 hydrocarbon pressure. By maintaining the hydrocarbon pressure below the cooling water pressure, hydrocarbon will not be released into the water. Gas testing performed in the area confirms that the release ended when the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered. Review of Pipestill #9 operations indicate the release likely began around noon on 10/5.
Discharge Preventable - No Information Given
No Information Given.
Notes/Remedial Actions
Weather conditions at the time of this release: 87 degrees, 6 mph wind from the east, no precipitation. To end the release, the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered, By maintaining the tower pressure below the cooling water pressure, hydrocarbon will not be released into the water. To prevent recurrence, the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered. The computer control system has been adjusted to minimize the tower pressure. A permanent bundle repair will be completed the next time the exchangers are removed from service. Reportable quantities of benzene and naptha were exceeded.
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