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Marathon Ashland Petroleum (3165), Garyville

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #137244
State Police #12-00926
Accident Date2012-02-16
Report Date 2012-02-23
Follow-up Date 2013-02-26
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide48mUnit 59 South Flare (EQT0160, EIQ69-74)NOYESNO1,359.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

During an upset of the U15 High Pressure Stripper, liquid and vapor were sent to the 19-1211 Fuel Gas Absorber KO Drum. A control valve and a bypass were opened on the bottom of the drum, sending liquid to the flare in order to maintain level in the drum.

Discharge Preventable - No

Unexpected foaming occurred in the Hot Separator despite the presence of a Porta-Test vortex tube cluster in the vessel. A Root Cause investigation was conducted and determined the root cause to be equipment difficulty with problem not anticipated. The recommendations from the investigation were 1)investigate redesigning vortex tube internals in 15-1211 Hot Separator to meet unit charge rate of at least 117 million barrels per day (MBPD)-to be completed by 3/25/13 2)inspect the Hot Separator internals during the January 2013 Turnaround-no damage noted during the internal inspection, completed on 1/27/13 and 3)conduct antifoam chemical injection test run and determine if a permanent injection is needed-completed on 10/3/12.

Notes/Remedial Actions

In U15, HP Stripping Steam was cut and charge was reduced to bring the upset under control.