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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 152739 |
| State Police # | 13-05404 |
| Accident Date | 2013-12-05 |
| Report Date | 2013-12-12 |
| Follow-up Date | 2014-02-03 |
| Follow-up: | Yes |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | 8d 18h | RCCU Flare (EPN 8-84) | NO | NO | NO | 1,723.9 pounds |
| Carbon Monoxide | 8d 18h | RCCU Flare (EPN 8-84) | NO | YES | NO | 592.1 pounds |
| NOx | 8d 18h | RCCU Flare (EPN 8-84) | NO | NO | YES | 108.8 pounds |
| Particulate Matter | 8d 18h | RCCU Flare (EPN 8-84) | NO | YES | NO | 20.5 pounds |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 8d 18h | RCCU Flare (EPN 8-84) | NO | YES | NO | 835.4 pounds |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 8d 18h | RCCU Flare (EPN 8-84) | NO | NO | YES | 64.6 pounds |
Accident Classified As: No Information Given
Cause of Problem: Process Upset
On December 5, 2013, the three-hour rolling average for teh amount of hydrogen sulfide to the RCCU Flare exceeded its 162 ppm limit and teh 500 pound reportable quantity was exceeded on December 6, 2013 at 15:00 hours. The hydrogen sulfide to the RCCU FLare exceeded teh monitoring capabilities of teh flare's hydrogen sulfide analyzer. As a result, Operations monitored the hydrogen sulfide concentrations by sampling the flare header while trying to identify the source/sources of the elevated hydrogen sulfide. On December 6, 2013 it was discovered that the dry gas specific gravity analyzer, AT-3812 was incorrectly routed to the flare. By correcting this line up, the hydrogen sulfide in the flare header was reduced and no further hydrogen sulfide reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this incident.
Discharge Preventable - Yes
Notes/Remedial Actions
Immediately, Operations began a search for the source of hydrogen sulfide routing to the flare. Operations found that the sample return from the dry gas specific gravity analyzer, AT-3812, was incorrectly routed to the flare. On December 6, this stream was rerouted to the RCCU wet gas compressor. Operations flushed the RCCU Elevated flare knock drum and the maintenance drop out drum (which were suspected to be contaminated with hydrogen sulfide as a result of the recent shutdown activities). Unit rate increases were delayed and unit feed rates were maintained during the duration of this incident. To prevent re-occurrence of this incident, routing AI3812 correctly has been included in a Job Aid that Operations developed for troubleshooting situations in which there are high hydrogen sulfide concentrations at the RCCU Flare. Report states that releases of sulfur dioxide exceeded Reportable Quantity only on December 5 and 6. Sulfur Dioxide also exceeded reportable quantity limits on the December 7.
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