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Valero (26003), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #140445
State Police #12-03715
Accident Date2012-06-12
Report Date 2012-06-15
Follow-up Date 2012-06-26
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide15m 20m3700 SRU TGTU inline mixerNOYESNO450.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

A malfunction of the 3700 sulfur recovery unit (SRU) tail gas treater unit (TGTU) inline mixer occurred resulting in excess sulfur dioxide emissions.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

Excess sulfur dioxide emissions resulting from the 3700 SRU TGTU inline mixer malfunction were emitted through the 3700 TOX stact to the environment and rapidly dispersed. The 3700 SRU TGTU inline mixer was restarted. Measures to prevent recurrence will be identified as part of a pending investigation. Initial reports indicated that this release was reportable quantity, but a report sent on June 26th, 2012 indicates that no reportable quantity has been exceeded. Emissions associated with this malfunction event were 450 pounds of SO2 and will be captured in the semiannual deviation report.