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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 144566 |
| State Police # | 12-07383 |
| Accident Date | 2012-11-13 |
| Report Date | 2012-11-20 |
| Follow-up Date | 2012-12-13 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Carbon Monoxide | 3h 45m | Olefins Flare (EPN 6-84) | NO | YES | NO | 11.4 pounds |
| Nitrogen Dioxide | 3h 45m | Olefins Flare (EPN 6-84) | NO | YES | YES | 2.1 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 3h 45m | Olefins Flare (EPN 6-84) | NO | YES | NO | 0.4 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 3h 45m | Olefins Flare (EPN 6-84) | NO | YES | NO | 149.7 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 3h 45m | Olefins Flare (EPN 6-84) | NO | NO | YES | 4.7 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)
Cause of Problem: Process Upset
On November 13, 2012 at 08:45 hours, Motiva's Diesel Hydrotreater (DHT) flared vent gas to Shell Chemical's OL-5 elevated flare. This flaring was due to the DHT vent gas compressor (K-5337) tripping as a result of a high liquid level in the stripper's overhead accumulator (PV-1987) and in the compressor's interstage knock out pot (PV-1988). In addition, the DHT's recycle compressor (K5339) tripped due to high level in the recycle gas compressor knock out pot (PV-2028).
Discharge Preventable - No Information Given
Notes/Remedial Actions
No remedial actions were given. The flaring occurred at Shell Chemical East, but was caused by a compressor tripping at Motiva Enterprises Norco Refinery's Diesel Hydrotreater (DHT) unit. No reportable quantities were exceeded; however the permitted limits for sulfur dioxide were exceeded as a result of this release. Only gives the total VOCs released in the Permitted Source Emissions table; no breakdown per chemical even though they stated some of the released VOCs in their written notification (ethane, hydrogen sulfide, isobutane, methane, n-butane, and propane). SPOC states that 6000-7000 lbs per hour were sent to the elevated flare, and with a 99% flare efficiency it only resulted in 32 lbs of hydrocarbons being released per hour.
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