LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #	147101
State Police #	13-00916
Accident Date	2013-03-02
Report Date	2013-03-08
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
Sulfur Dioxide	18H 18M	Flare Gas Compressor	NO	YES	NO	4,724.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Design

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, at approximately 21:03 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors could not be returned to service following a permitted maintenance activity due to high molecular weight in the system. The FGM compressors were not able to pump correctly with high molecular weight in the water interface and due tot he cold weather conditions the high weight material was not able to be flushed from the system. This event is considered reasonably unforseeable, therefore qualifies as an "upset" in accordance with LAC 33:507.J.Upset Conditions.

Discharge Preventable - No

The FGM compressors are not able to pump correctly with high molecular weight in the water interface and due to the cold weather conditions the high weight material was not able to be flushed from the system. There was also the potential to cause longterm damage if the FGM compressors continued to be used during this process which would result in the recovery system being out of service for an extended period of time. It was also mentioned in the refinery's report that the compressors would not be returned to service until equipment preparation and maintenance activities could be completed. The priority was placed on maintaining stable sulfur recovery unit operations to mitigate flaring potential for elevated hydrogen sulfide concentration streams.

Notes/Remedial Actions