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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #148731
State Police #13-02112
Accident Date2013-05-15
Report Date 2013-05-22
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 Dioxide81h 52mFGM compressorsNOYESNO20,020.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at approximately 13:53 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. There was 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.

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 the 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

The compressors were returned to service immediately after equipment preparation and maintenance activities were completed. Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible.