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ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #125144
State Police #10-04194
Accident Date2010-07-25
Report Date 2010-07-30
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
Hexane13 d 20 h 47 mRL-1 Cooling TankNONONO225.9 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Heat exchanger E-110A of the halobutyl rubber unit was determined to be the source of the leak and was isolated to stop the release.

Discharge Preventable - No

Notes/Remedial Actions

Routine halobutyl unit hexane inventory monitoring performed on July 19th revealed potential hexane losses, investigation was initiated. Standard initial evaluations of data validity and material balances were performed. Operational investigation into the loss was also completed, included surveying the area using an optical imaging camera and testing the cooling water for Total Organic Carbon content. Unit material balances revealed potential hexane release began on July 12th, and leak rate calculations were completed utilizing normal engineering calculations of hole size, leak rate, and total release since July 12th. As requested by LDEQ, Industrial Hygiene monitoring was performed at the cooling tower upon discovery of the leak. This monitoring established there were no offsite impacts as a result of this release. This incident is under investigation to determine the root cause and prevent recurrence. The exchanger will be returned to service.