Home Search Emissions Pollutants About the Database


Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #148111
State Police #13-01596
Accident Date2013-04-14
Report Date 2013-04-18
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 Dioxide19H 54MFGM CompressorsNOYESNO6,744.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Design

On Sunday, April 14, 2013, at approximately 0843 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors were shut down due to high molecular weight materials being purged to the system during the Alky Unit startup. Sulfur dioxide was released to the air.

Discharge Preventable - No

The FGM compressors are not able to pump correctly with high molecular weight in the water interface. There was also the potential to cause long term 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. The compressors were returned to service immediately after equipment preparation and maintenance activities were completed.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. A similar event labeled "not preventable" occurred on March 2, 2013, LDEQ number: 147101.