Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #113772
State Police #No Information Given
Accident Date2009-03-29
Report Date 2009-04-02
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
Benzene4 mE506B exchangerNONOYES44.0 pounds
Toluene16 mExchanger 506BNONONO29.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

In the Aromatics Unit during the preparation of an overhead condensor for mechanical work. Prior to the leak, steam was introduced to the exchanger to free the exchanger of hydrocarbon. When steam was introduced, the channel box gasket failed.

Discharge Preventable - No

There was no indication that the gasket was near failure.

Notes/Remedial Actions

A gasket leak occurred on exchanger E 506 B. Most of the release went to the sewer and some may have evaportated into the air. Gasket was isolated and secured. During the preparation of an overhead condenser for mechanical work stem was introduced to the exchanger per procedure to free the BOCs but the gasket failed and released hydrocarbon on to the concrete pad. It was 60% benzene and all had evaporated. Estimated 44 lbs of total release (over RQ). Non preventable release.