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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #149414
State Police #13-02255
Accident Date2013-05-22
Report Date 2013-05-30
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 Dioxide3d 2h 54mTGCU combuster (F-331)NOYESNOBRQ
Hydrogen Sulfide3d 2h 54mTGCU combuster (F-331)NONONOBRQ

Accident Classified As: No Information Given

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

On May 22, 2013 the Baton Rouge Refinery (BRRF) experienced an incident on the Tail Gas Clean-Up Unit (TGCU). The initial cause of the incident was due to a leak on the TGCU combustor (F-331). ExxonMobil received a compliance order (AE-CN-13-00463) from LDEQ authorizing interim emission limitations for the incident response, repair, and recovery. All community monitoring conducted by ExxonMobil were consistently below detection with the exception of a single monitoring hour on May 23, 2013. LDEQ's Mobile Air Monitoring Laboratory results were consistently below any concentration representing health concerns. The U.S. EPA contractor monitoring was consistent with BRRF monitoring efforts and results throughout the incident respose.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

This event is currently under investigation to determine the root cause. Additional follow ups will be provided in the reports as required per the compliance order (AE-CN-13-00436 Section IV and V).

Notes/Remedial Actions

Upon discovery, ExxonMobil reduced Sulfur Plant (SRLA) feed rates to facilitate the transition to the F-101/F/-201 incinerators. This resulted in approximately 24 tons/day of potential sulfur dioxide being released. All emissions from this event will be provided int he follow-up reports as required per AE-CN-13-00436 Section IV and V. On May 24, 3012 at 10:30 p.m. a mechanical enclosure was installed on the combustor. Additional follow-ups will be provided in the reports as required per the compliance order. LABB has been unable to locate the follow up report with release amounts as of December 18, 2013.