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ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #132204
State Police #11-03925
Accident Date2011-07-03
Report Date 2011-07-08
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: 

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Propylene14h 54mWest Ethylene Purification Unit (EPLA-W)NONOYES1,181.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Other - See text

The propylene at this time experienced higher than normal methyl acatylene and propadiene concentrations, so it was required to be flared. The root cause was suspected to have been contaminated feed, since no equipment or operational issues had been identified at EPLA-W.

Discharge Preventable - No

The event was classified as not preventable because it was caused by unanticipated feed contamination.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Feed rates were reduced to minimize flaring and attempt to isolate a source of contamination until the feed quality improved. LDEQ Verbal report also mentions that they also released more than 1,000 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide to the air. This was not mentioned in the 7 day letter. Facility conducted air monitoring.