LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #	134344
State Police #	11-06213
Accident Date	2011-10-06
Report Date	2011-10-13
Follow-up Date	2011-11-08
Follow-up:	Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant	Duration	Point Source	Greenhouse Gas	Criteria Pollutant	Ozone forming chemical	Amount of Release
Hydrogen	10 m	Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)	NO	NO	NO	BRQ
Hydrogen Sulfide	10 m	Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)	NO	NO	NO	BRQ

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

On 10/6/11 at 1:42 am, while preparing the unit for a planned shutdown, the 2nd stage reactors of Motiva's Hydrocracking (HCU) Unit experienced an unexpected sixty-degree temperature rise resulting in a unit trip. During the time of the event, HCU Operators were following unit shutdown procedures in preparation of an upcoming turnaround. The sudden increase in temperature on the reactor bed was caused when oil was swept out of the oil passes on furnace F-43 to the reactors. Per procedure, oil must be de-inventoried from the associated piping, the furnace outlet temperatures rose rapidly. Consequently the instrument protective function (IPF) on the reaction system was activated for high temperature, and tripped the process unit as per design. Immediately upon activation of the trip mechanism, the unit was secured and stabilized. Shortly after stabilization, HCU shutdown activities continued following all operational and safety procedures.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

No Information Given.

Notes/Remedial Actions