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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #149927
State Police #13-03287
Accident Date2013-07-25
Report Date 2013-08-01
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 Dioxide5h 36mFlare #1NOYESNO10,860.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Process Upset

On Thursday, July 25, 2013, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors began to lose suction and stopped pumping resulting in the staging of the #1 Flare. Prior to this even, a planned venting of pump G7908 occurred and is suspected to have caused an increased flow of higher molecular weight material to the compressor system. Concurrently, waste gas compressor (K406) was out of service from a prior malfunction causing waste gas to be routed to the FGM system. The increased flow of the waste gas caused an overpressure of the recovery system and staged the #1 Flare.

Discharge Preventable - No

The venting of high molecular weight material from the Alky to prepare a pump for maintenance, K406 mechanical issues, and FGR compressor issues all occurring in a short period of time was beyond the system capability to prevent flaring. As discussed above, 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. K406 was repaired and returned to service to reduce the gas being routed to the recovery system. An 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. Waste gas system compressor reliability and water purge capability will be reviewed to identify and evaluate improvement options. 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.