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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #149989
State Police #13-03307
Accident Date2013-07-28
Report Date 2013-08-02
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: 

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Sulfur Dioxide7h 27mFlare #1NOYESNO1,548.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

On Sunday, July 28, 2013, at approximately 0349 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors began to lose suction and stopped pumping resulting in the staging of the #1 Flare for approximately 7 minutes. With the inability of the compressors to pump reliably, a water change out was required to get the system back in normal and stable operation. This process intermittent flaring between 10:44 and 18:11.

Discharge Preventable - No

The water change out could not be prevented to bring the recovery system back into normal operation. Further evaluations are being conducted to determine other system enhancements to the water purge capability due to malfunctioning equipment.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. An ongoing evaluation of the equipment during the event revealed the flare gas recovery water purge capability was restricted. This resulted in increased unreliability of the compressors due to the reduced discharge rate of the high molecular weight water recirculating in the system. The water purge capability was restored on 7/29 and should result in faster recovery times from unplanned high molecular weight gas events. LDEQ conducted "onsite discussions" with Chalmette Environmental and business supervisor related to three accidents related to the FGC and WGC units between 7/25-7/28 (149927, 149989, 150004) on 8/28/2013.