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Accident # | 152527 |
State Police # | 13-05181 |
Accident Date | 2013-11-20 |
Report Date | 2013-11-26 |
Follow-up Date | 2014-01-17 |
Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
Ethylene | 23h 55m | OLA-2X gas compressor | NO | NO | YES | 1,476.0 pounds |
Propylene | 23h 55m | OLA-2X gas compressor | NO | NO | YES | 588.0 pounds |
Butadiene | 23h 55m | OLA-2X gas compressor | NO | NO | YES | 382.0 pounds |
Isoprene | 23h 55m | OLA-2X gas compressor | NO | NO | YES | 165.0 pounds |
Benzene | 23h 55m | OLA-2X gas compressor | NO | NO | YES | 338.0 pounds |
Nitrogen Oxide | 23h 55m | OLA-2X gas compressor | NO | YES | YES | 1,628.0 pounds |
Sulfur Dioxide | 23h 55m | OLA-2X gas compressor | NO | YES | NO | 11,979.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
On November 20, 2013 at approximately 2 PM, the OLA-2X gas compressor tripped due to high vibrations; causing material to be released to the site's flare gas system. Follow-up investigation results indicate that the drain line for the compressor coupling guard became plugged with an extensive amount of coke, allowing oil to build up and degrade the inside of the coupling guard. Over time, the oil degradation impinged on the coupling, causing the high vibrations. The Reportable Quantities for ethylene, propylene, butadiene, isoprene, benzene, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide was exceeded as a result of this event.
There was no way to detect the plugged drain line. Even if it could have been detected, no online repair options exist for this problem. See note.
Immediately after the trip, unit shutdown procedures were executed and feed was safely removed from the unit. Air monitoring was conducted on November 20 and November 21 and all results were below the level of detection. Insulated the coupling guard drain line. Will evaluate installing a manometer on the coupling guard to attempt to measure air flow in the coupling guards and establish a monitoring program to determine if coke is accumulating in the coupling guards. Note: the initial report claims that plugged drain lines are not able to be detected or repaired, so the incident was not preventable. However, the follow-up report claims that air monitoring might detect coke accumulation and allow prevention.
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