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ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 144539 |
| State Police # | 12-07315 |
| Accident Date | 2012-11-09 |
| Report Date | 2012-11-16 |
| Follow-up Date | 2013-03-15 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | YES | 12,208.0 pounds |
| Benzene | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | YES | 819.0 pounds |
| Ethylene | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | YES | 3,572.0 pounds |
| Propylene | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | YES | 1,423.0 pounds |
| Isoprene | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | YES | 399.0 pounds |
| Nitrogen Oxide | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | YES | YES | 3,938.0 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | YES | NO | 28,988.0 pounds |
| 1,3-Butadiene | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | YES | 924.0 pounds |
| Toluene | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | NO | BRQ |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | 21h 48m | Flare gas system | NO | NO | NO | BRQ |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure
A failure of the fuel gas control valve servomechanism actuator failed due to particulate matter in the hydraulic system, causing OLA-2X gas turbine to trip and material to be released to the Site's flare gas system.
Discharge Preventable - No
Event was due to unanticipated plugging of the hydraulic servo actuator due to particulates in the hydraulic oil. Prior to this event, all hydraulic system filters and servos were replaced and the system was drained, cleaned, and charged with fresh oil during the October 2011 turnaround.
Notes/Remedial Actions
Feed was removed from five of seven furnaces and the remaining two furnaces were operating at minimal rates in order to reduce the load on the flare system and emissions to the atmosphere. The hydraulic oil filters and servos were replaced upon discovery of the foulant. The hydraulic oil system was drained, cleaned, and charged with fresh oil in December 2012 to remove a suspected contaminate and particulates. ExxonMobil is conducting additional laboratory analysis of the lube oil at our lubes and specialities lab to determine if additional steps are needed to help prevent recurrence. In addition, improved filtration has been installed. A citizen complaint was recorded and given LDEQ incident number 144543. The complaint cites "Exxon release causing terrible odors, making the caller sick." The LDEQ report references this report, incident 144539 for information on the release. The reportable quantities for VOC, benzene, ethylene, propylene, isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide were exceeded as a result of this event.
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