| Home | Search | Emissions | Pollutants | About the Database |
Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 143781 |
| State Police # | 12-06762 |
| Accident Date | 2012-10-12 |
| Report Date | 2012-10-18 |
| Follow-up Date | 2012-12-20 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | Unit 59 North Flare | NO | NO | YES | 2,223.2 pounds | |
| Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds | Unit 59 North Flare | NO | NO | YES | 105.2 pounds | |
| Nitrogen Oxide | NO | YES | YES | 275.0 pounds | ||
| Carbon Monoxide | NO | YES | NO | 1,496.5 pounds | ||
| Sulfur Dioxide | NO | YES | NO | 260.1 pounds | ||
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | NO | NO | YES | 5,133.2 pounds | ||
| Particulate Matter 10 | NO | YES | NO | 30.1 pounds | ||
| Particulate Matter 2.5 | NO | YES | NO | 30.1 pounds | ||
| Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) | NO | NO | NO | 123.2 pounds | ||
| Benzene | NO | NO | YES | 15.2 pounds | ||
| Hydrogen Sulfide | NO | NO | NO | 1.3 pounds | ||
| Butane | NO | NO | YES | 4.7 pounds | ||
| n-Butane | NO | NO | NO | 74.3 pounds | ||
| Isobutane | NO | NO | YES | 14.1 pounds | ||
| Pentane | NO | NO | YES | 256.0 pounds | ||
| n-Pentane | NO | NO | NO | 142.9 pounds | ||
| Pentene Plus | NO | NO | NO | 727.1 pounds | ||
| Cyclohexane | NO | NO | YES | 3.3 pounds | ||
| n-Hexane | NO | NO | NO | 19.8 pounds | ||
| Toluene | NO | NO | NO | 40.6 pounds | ||
| Propane | NO | NO | YES | 30.7 pounds | ||
| T-butene2 | NO | NO | NO | 11.1 pounds | ||
| Methane | YES | NO | YES | 61.0 pounds | ||
| Ethane | NO | NO | YES | 28.6 pounds | ||
| Ethylene | NO | NO | YES | 2.7 pounds | ||
| Propylene | NO | NO | YES | 6.1 pounds | ||
| 1-Butene | NO | NO | YES | 8.4 pounds | ||
| Carbon Dioxide | YES | NO | NO | 1.5 pounds | ||
| Hydrogen | NO | NO | NO | 15.6 pounds | ||
| Nitrogen | NO | NO | NO | 20.4 pounds | ||
| Oxygen | NO | NO | NO | 0.4 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Other - See text
The initiating incident was a pump seal fire in the Gasoline Desulfurization Unit (Unit 55). The fire was fueled by a leaking seal on the pump. Extinguishing the fire was delayed by inability to close an EIV on the suction side of the pump. This resulted in emergency shutdown of the unit. Two other events also occurred on this day including an upset in Sulfur Plant Unit 234 and a flame-out of the North Flare. Due to the fire and emergency shutdown of the Gasoline Desulfurization Unit, the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit cut feed, sending vent gas to the North Flare. Process vent gas was sent to the North Flare which increased the steam to the flare suddenly, snuffing the flare out.
Discharge Preventable - Yes
Notes/Remedial Actions
PDF too large to upload (109 pages) To re-light the North Flare, steam was gradually decreased and natural gas was added to the flare gas to allow the two available igniters to relight the North Flare. Parts to repair the North Flare pilot system were already on order when this incident occurred. The North Flare was taken out of service when the parts were received and repaired on October 31, 2012. Spare pilot and igniter assemblies are now in stock so that repairs can be made in a timely fashion if an incident like this is to occur again. Total amount of pollutants released was 59438.44 lbs, but 90% was claimed to be efficiently burned off, resulting in 5943.59 lbs that were actually released. The reportable quantity for Highly Reactive Volatile Organic Compounds (HRVOCs) (100 pounds) was exceeded during the 24 hour period.
Connect With Us: