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ExxonMobil Chemical Plant (286), Baton Rouge
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 148872 |
| State Police # | 13-02305 |
| Accident Date | 2013-05-24 |
| Report Date | 2013-05-31 |
| Follow-up Date | 2013-08-26 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Dimethyl formamide | 12d 21h 4m | BELA-5 | NO | NO | NO | BRQ |
Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)
Cause of Problem: Corrosion
On Friday, May 24, 2013, a leak of dimethyl formamide (DMF) solvent was detected on the butadiene recovery unit (BELA-5) and reported. Initial estimates indicated that the atmospheric leak rate exceeded the 100 lbs/day reportable quantity for DMF. Further refinement of the leak rate estimate has determined that the leak rate is below the reportable quantity amount. As discussed with LDEQ, BRCP has been working toward a controlled shutdown of the BELA-5 unit. Based on the current state of planning, the earliest the unit will be ready to shutdown is June 6-9, 2013. The unit was safely shutdown on June 6, 2013 as planned. The leak occurred due to the corrosive nature of the process material combined with a weld defect on a thermowell. The leak rate was monitored routinely and never exceeded the RQ amount.
Discharge Preventable - Yes
Notes/Remedial Actions
The material is currently being collected in a barrel and rerouted back to the unit until permanent repairs are completed. ExxonMobil is currently planning to execute a controlled shutdown of the BELA-5 unit between June 6-9, 2013, and permanent repairs will be completed during this time. Permanent repairs were completed prior to unit startup.
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