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Valero (26003), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #147996
State Police #13-01490
Accident Date2013-04-08
Report Date 2013-04-16
Follow-up Date 2013-06-07
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide20m30 TOX stackNOYESNO670.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

The 30 SRU malfunctioned resulting in excess sulfur dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. Excess emissions were emitted from the 30 TOX stack to the environment and rapidly dispersed.

Discharge Preventable - Yes

In the June 6th follow-up report, they found that they experienced a sharp increase in Sulfur of 120 into the 30 SRU. The increase Sulfur loaded correlated to change the feedstock. The increase sulfur loaded into the 30 SRU exceeded the design limits of the system which ultimately led to unit instability.

Notes/Remedial Actions

The permitted SO2 rate was exceeded and reportable quantity were exceeded for the reporting hour of 11:00. Total SO2 emissions for the reporting hour of 11:00 were approximately 666 lbs., and total SO2 emissions in excess of the permitted limit were 551 lbs.