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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #129951
State Police #11-01490
Accident Date2011-03-17
Report Date 2011-03-24
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
1,3-Butadiene3h 36mBall valve on Butadiene Storage TankNONOYESBRQ

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

At 0635 on March 17, 2011 Motiva operations was notified that there was an odor of 1,3 butadiene coming from the Butadiene Propylene Storage (BPS) area. Upon investigating, operations found that the odor was coming from the sump at the south end of the BPS area. Operations observed condensation downstream of a 3/4" isolation gate valve on the dewatering piping in the vicinity. Additionally, a ball valve downstream of the 3/4" gate valve was found to be closed past the fully closed indication. Operations checked the temperature of the piping with a temperature gun and noted a 10 deg F difference across the 3/4" gate valve indicating a slight leak from the valve.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

No information given.

Notes/Remedial Actions

At 1011 on March 17, 2011, Motiva operations used a wrench to tighten the 3/4" gate. The ball valve was also moved back to the fully closed position and the bent stop on this valve was corrected. After completing these repairs, the temperature of the piping downstream of the gate valve increased and the condensation stopped indicating that the repair was successful and the leak stopped.