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Valero (1238), Meraux
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 154085 |
| State Police # | 14-00859 |
| Accident Date | 2014-02-23 |
| Report Date | 2014-02-28 |
| 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 |
| Flammable Gas | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | YES | 1,134.0 pounds |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | NO | 1.6 pounds |
| Hexane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | NO | 207.1 pounds |
| Hydrogen | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | NO | 75.3 pounds |
| Propane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | YES | 128.0 |
| Propylene | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | YES | 83.2 pounds |
| Isobutane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | YES | 120.2 pounds |
| n-Butane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | NO | 55.7 pounds |
| Olefins | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | NO | 19.0 pounds |
| Isopentane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | YES | 37.7 pounds |
| n-Pentane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | NO | 21.5 pounds |
| Carbon Dioxide | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | YES | NO | NO | 5.9 pounds |
| Ethylene | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | YES | 30.3 pounds |
| Ethane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | YES | 108.5 pounds |
| Nitrogen | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | NO | NO | NO | 7,921.5 pounds |
| Methane | 1h 2m | South Flare (EQT 0049, EPN 3-77) | YES | NO | YES | 247.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity
Cause of Problem: No Information Given
Valero exceeded the reporting threshold for flammable gas emissions at the South Glare due to a loss of flame. Valero had recently shut down a Diesel Hydrotreating Unit and was purging the unit with Nitrogen to the South Flare. The pilot flame sensor alarmed int the Control room and personnel visually inspected the South Flare and discovered that the flame had been extinguished. Valero stopped the Nitrogen flow and attempted to relight the South Flare, but was delayed because electrical power to the ignition system was off. Valero quickly restored electrical power and re-lit the flare. The pilot flame sensor alarmed cleared and visual evidence of a flame was observed.
Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation
Notes/Remedial Actions
Valero stopped the Nitrogen flow and re-lit the South Flare. Valero provided verbal notification within one hour of exceeding the reportable quantity for flammable gas. Valero received no citizen complaints and did not conduct a downwind ambient air monitoring. The incident is under investigation so no specific plan of action has been put into effect to prevent recurrence.
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