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Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #143377
tate Police #N/A
Accident Date2012-09-28
Report Date 2012-10-05
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
PropaneSouth FlareNONOYESBRQ

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

Excess propane was intermittently discharged to the South Flare when the Depropanized on the Alkylation Unit was shut down for repairs.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

Citizen complaint on 9/28/12. On 9/27 complainant observed flaring and steaming. Observed a very deep orange flame, black streaks and some smoke after a heavy rain event. There was a flaring and steaming noise. Both flares were in use. Could hear steaming noises in house. The South Flare was large and bright orange with a noise continuing throughout the night and flaring during the early morning hours of 9/28. The flaring was a deeper orange flame and had an associated noise. Sunrise lighting made the black smoke of the flare more easily visible. The material is very low in sulfur. No reportable quantities were exceeded and there was no upset conditions at the plant.