Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #113475
State Police #09-01300
Accident Date2009-03-18
Report Date 2009-03-24
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: 

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Benzene2h5mcontrol valve of HCE compressorNONOYES69.0 pounds
Toluene3 h 35 mWILA tanks #8 and 9NONONO9.5 pounds
Ethylbenzene3 h 35 mWILA tanks #8 and 9NONOYES0.1 pounds
Napthalene3 h 35 mWILA tanks #8 and 9NONOYES1.7 pounds
Isoprene3 h 35 mWILA tanks #8 and 9NONOYES0.1 pounds
Cyclohexane3 h 35 mWILA tanks #8 and 9NONOYES0.5 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: No Information Given

The release was caused by the failure of a control valve downstream of the HCE compressor. The control valve downstream of the HCE compressor failed to close which caused the HCE compressor to trip off.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

The incident occurred as a result of an unexpected failure of a control valve.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Since there was no outlet for the vapor in the HCE system, the pressure built in the tanks until the pressure vents lifted, released hydrocarbon to the atmosphere. The back up hydrocarbon emissions control system which uses vacuum jets to recover the excess vapors was comissioned. Proper operation of the vacuum jets was confirmed shortly thereafter. The control valve and instrumentation will be repaired and inspected before being returned to servvice.