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Motiva Enterprises (2719), Convent

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #144564
State Police #12-07322
Accident Date2012-11-13
Report Date 2012-11-15
Follow-up Date 2013-01-09
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide12h 10mFlare 1-4, TGTU-1,3,4 Incinerator, HTU-1 HSR Reboiler, Boiler #1, Boiler #2, Boiler (EQT0037)NOYESNO34,788.2 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide12h 10mFlare 1-4, TGTU- 1,2,3,5 Incinerator,NOYESYES205.2 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide12h 10mFlare 1-4NONONO115.2 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)12h 10mFlare 1-4NONOYES422.4 pounds
Particulate Matter12h 10mFlare 1-4NOYESNO22.6 pounds
Carbon Monoxide12h 10mFlare 1-4NOYESNO1,116.2 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Power Failure

This incident involved an upset of the refinery due to a loss of power to the site from our energy supplier's system. Several operating units were affected by the power loss which caused emissions of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the release and combustion of hydrocarbons at the Motiva Enterprises LLC (Motiva) - Convent Refinery.

Discharge Preventable - No

The power loss was due to an external fault of the energy supplier at Motiva Convent and was not preventable by Motiva.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Immediately, the operating units were stabilized to reduce the impact from the emissions. Several operating units were shutdown and remaining online units followed the emergency procedure for steam load shedding to minimize emissions. Exceeded the 500-pound (lb) reportable quantity (RQ) for sulfur dioxide (SO2). SO2 maximum lb/hr emission limits were exceeded at Tail Gas Treating Units 1, 3, and 4, the Flare CAP, and at combustion devices (i.e. heaters) burning refinery fuel gas. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) maximum lb/hr emission rates were exceeded at Tail Gas Treating Units 1, 2, 3, and 5, and at the Flare CAP. The maximum lb/hr emission rates of NOx, CO, VOC, and PM were experienced at the Flare CAP. Lastly, the maximum opacity limit as required by LAC 33:III.1101.B for SRU No. 4 TGTU Incinerator Stack was also exceeded at the time of the incident.