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Valero (26003), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #138677
State Police #12-02078
Accident Date2012-04-08
Report Date 2012-04-10
Follow-up Date 2012-05-03
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur DioxideNo information givenNo information givenNOYESNO320.0 pounds
Hydrogen SulfideNo information givenNo information givenNONONO25.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

The 1600 Sulfur Recovery Unit (16 SRU) tripped and went offline for about 2.5 hours. It is suspected that SO2 and H2S levels were elevated at the associated thermal oxidizer (1600 TOX-EQT241). The exact cause is under investigation.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

No determination on whether or not this discharge was preventable. Additional correspondence detailing the root cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Notes/Remedial Actions

These emissions will be reported in the Refineries Title V permit compliance reports. In the first written follow up report, it is suspected that the rate and reportable quantities of SO2 and H2S were exceeded. The SO2 concentration limit may have also been exceeded. The opacity standard may have been exceeded for 2 hours and 34 minutes. In the follow up report sent May 3, 2012, the values were calculated as below reportable quantity.