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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 146682 |
| State Police # | 13-23386 |
| Accident Date | 2013-02-18 |
| Report Date | 2013-02-25 |
| Follow-up Date | 2013-04-17 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Benzene | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | NO | YES | 13.7 pounds |
| Carbon Monoxide | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | YES | NO | 4,866.3 pounds |
| NOx | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | NO | YES | 894.4 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | YES | NO | 168.4 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | YES | NO | 1.1 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | NO | YES | 3,015.9 pounds |
| Hexane | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | NO | NO | 16.0 pounds |
| Toluene | 15H 34M 12S | 4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301) | NO | NO | NO | 2.1 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: Corrosion
On February 18, 2013 Motiva Enterprises in Norco experienced a relase of benzene, butane, flammable gas, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, propane, and volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere due to a release valve on the dubutanizer relieving at the Hydrocracking Unit (HCU) and flaring at the Hydrocracker Flare (EPN 4-84). The flaring was caused by an unexpected shutdown of the second stage of the Hydrocracker Unit. On February 18, 2013 at 0628 hours, the atmospheric relieve valve on the debutanizer at Motiva's Hydrocracking Unit (HCU) relieved, ultimately leading to the second stage of the HCU shutting down. The atmospheric release from the debutanizer column was due to a tube rupture on one of the upright exchangers in the second stage of the HCU. The second stage of the HCU was shutdown to stabilize the unit and minimize safety risks.
Discharge Preventable - Yes
This release was preventable.
Notes/Remedial Actions
This release began on February 18, 2013 and ended on March 13, 2013. The repair of the ruptured tube on the upright exchangers in the second stage of the HCU was completed on March 11, 2013. Start up activities began once a pressure test was completed on the previously damaged exchanger and were completed on March 13, 2013 at 1600 hours. While the repair was being completed, high purity hydrogen was flared and emissions were below the permitted limits. It was determined that the cause of the tube rupture was as a result of stress corrosion cracking. To prevent this accident from reoccuring, the method to decontaminate the exchanger will change. During the next unit turnaound, the exchanger will be decontaminated using a different wash, which will prevent stress corrosion cracking.
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