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Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #141597
State Police #12-04934
Accident Date2012-07-27
Report Date 2012-08-02
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
Sulfur Dioxide1h 20munit 34, thermal oxidizerNOYESNO639.6 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. False reading on a flow transmitter. Following the shutdown, feed increased to Unit 34 and shutdown the oxygen skid. This resulted in high sulfur dioxide and visible emission from the U34 thermal oxidizer.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

Not known at this time; the results of the investigation will determine whether or not this was preventable

Notes/Remedial Actions

The refinery's ambient air monitoring station data did not exceed the NAAQs for Sulfur dioxide. The refinery's Air Monitoring team was dispatched to monitor the community downwind of the incident. There were no other known off-site impacts. The Unit 234 was restarted. Maintenance steamed out the flow transmitter with the faulty reading. U34 oxygen skid was restarted. Specific remedial action unknown at this time; an incident investigation will result in recommendation items designed to prevent the recurrence of this event. They admitted to releasing 416.69 lbs more than their permitted maximum for sulfur dioxide. The total sulfur dioxide released was actually 639.64 lbs. The facility claimed that the reportable quantity for sulfur dioxide was not exceeded, however, the opacity limit from the thermal oxidizer was exceeded.