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Accident # | 152732 |
State Police # | 13-05400 |
Accident Date | 2013-12-05 |
Report Date | 2013-12-12 |
Follow-up Date | 2014-01-30 |
Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
Benzene | 13 m | HCLA Unit | NO | NO | YES | 17.0 pounds |
Flammable Vapor | 13 m | HCLA Unit | NO | NO | YES | 5,073.0 pounds |
Hydrogen Sulfide | 13 m | HCLA Unit | NO | NO | NO | 811.0 pounds |
Sulfur Dioxide | 13 m | HCLA Unit | NO | YES | NO | 947.0 pounds |
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 13 m | HCLA Unit | NO | NO | YES | 7,243.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
On December 5, the Recycle Feed pump at the HCLA unit experienced an unplanned shut down, causing material to be released to the site's flare gas system and atmospheric safety valves to lift. The unplanned shutdown occurred while swapping the in-service pump with a spare pump for a preventable maintenance inspection. The Recycle Feed pump was immediately isolated and unit feed rate was safely and quickly decreased to minimize flaring and emissions to the atmosphere. This incident is under investigation to determine the exact root cause and to provide mitigating steps to prevent recurrence. The reportable quantity for flammable vapor, VOC, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and benzene was exceeded as a result of this event. Follow up report submitted 1/30/2014. Investigation of the accident indicated the failure occurred due to a reverse over speed event caused by a failed pump discharge check valve.
Immediately upon the pump shutdown, unit feed rate was safely and quickly decreased to minimize flaring and emissions to the atmosphere. Installed two new check valves on the common discharge line in this service to mitigate backward flow.
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