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ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #126265
State Police #10-05230
Accident Date2010-09-10
Report Date 2010-09-15
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
Propylene5 h 25 mbattery charger on Mark Ve control systemNONOYES819.0 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide5 h 25 mbattery charger on Mark Ve control systemNOYESNO8,726.0 pounds
Benzene5 h 25 mbattery charger on Mark Ve control systemNONOYES209.0 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide5 h 25 mbattery charger on Mark Ve control systemNOYESYES1,099.0 pounds
Ethylene5 h 25 mbattery charger on Mark Ve control systemNONOYES1,052.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Preliminary investigation findings for the event indicated a battery charger malfunctioned on the Mark Ve control system, causing a power disruption in the Olefins area. The olefin area's primary fractionator overhead compressor tripped as a result of the power disruption, and the primary fractionator overhead was routed to the flare system per design.

Discharge Preventable - No

This event was caused by a battery charger malfunction that could not be anticipated.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Beginning at 10:20 am on 9/10/10 the plant experienced flaring. By 3:45 rates for all other olefins equipment were reduced, and flaring was minimized. Subsequent flaring from recovery and startup activities were authorized under Part 70 permit emissions limit. Unit rates were minimized to reduce flaring. Control system batteries were replaced and restart of the compressor was expedited to end the flaring. All batteries in this control system were replaced. This event is under investigation, with the aid of equipment manufacturers, to determine the root cause of the battery charger malfunction. All chemicals involved exceeded RQs.