LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #	121936
PDF Available	PDF
State Police #	10-01178
Accident Date	2010-03-05
Report Date	2010-03-12
Follow-up Date	0000-00-00
Follow-up:

Pollutants Released

Pollutant	Duration	Point Source	Greenhouse Gas	Criteria Pollutant	Ozone forming chemical	Amount of Release
Hydrogen	2 h 39 m	Knock-out drum D-28	NO	NO	NO	7.8 pounds
Carbon Monoxide	2 h 39 m	Knock-out drum D-28	NO	YES	NO	86.7 pounds
Water	2 h 39 m	Knock-out drum D-28	NO	NO	NO	198.5 pounds
Hydrogen Cyanide	2 h 39 m	Knock-out drum D-28	NO	NO	NO	0.9 pounds
Carbon Dioxide	2 h 39 m	Knock-out drum D-28	YES	NO	NO	8,296.8 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide	2 h 39 m	Knock-out drum D-28	NO	NO	NO	76.3 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

Vent on a drum popped open. Root cause was high liquid level in the drum and vent valve relieved as per design.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

Notes/Remedial Actions

During normal operations, the acid gas is incinerated at furnaces F-5 and F-6. Before going to the incinerators, the liquid is removed from the steam at a knock out drum, D-28. The cause of the high liquid level is under investigation. Upon completion of this investigation, this event will be reviewed with all operating personnel and investigation recommendations will be tracked and steqarded to ensure completion. SPOC report said 126 of hydrogen sulfide were released, Exxon's report says 76.3 lbs were released. The D-28 liquid level was drained, per procedure, which allowed the vent valve to re-set in the closed position.