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Valero (1238), Meraux

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #147203
tate Police #N/A
Accident Date2013-03-08
Report Date 2013-03-25
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 Dioxide7H 25MNorth FlareNOYESNO564.0 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide7H 25MNorth FlareNONONO6.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

On March 8, 2013, at approximately 01:34, Valero experienced excess emissions of Sulfur Dioxide at the North Flare during the start up of the Hydrocracker/Hydrotreater Unit. On March 5, 2013, Valero discovered an oil leak on an electrical transformer in the Reformer Unit. In order to de-energize and repair the transformer, Valero conducted a controlled shutdown of the refinery. The root cause of excess SO2 emissions from the Hydrocracker/ Hydrotreater during start up has been identified from previous incidents to be inherent to the original design of the unit. The most recent previous incident, SERC Incident # 12-05963, occurred on 9/3/12. As a corrective action for the 9/3/12 incident, Valero designed a vent line that will direct the gases vented from the Hydrocracker/Hydrotreater Fractionator Overhead Receiver to the refinery's HiJet so that these gases will no longer need to be flared during startup. Valero was planning to shutdown the Hydrocracker/Hydrotreater on 3/15/13 and install this vent line prioer to this unplanned shutdown to repair the transformer.

Discharge Preventable - No

Valero followed written startup procedures, which were based on unit design and sound engineering judgement. Valero has concluded that the Hydrocracker/Hydrotreater unit cannot be started up as currently designed without venting a quantity of H2S containing gas to the flare. This discharge was not preventable.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Valero completed the start up of the Hydrocracker according to procedure. Valero will shut down the Hydrocracker/Hydrotreater on 3/15/13 as originally planned and install the vent line designed to prevent the start up gases from being flared.