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Valero (26003), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #159934
State Police #14-05012
Accident Date2014-11-09
Report Date 2014-11-14
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 Dioxide30mHydrocracker-HydrotreaterNOYESNO1,597.8 pounds
Carbon Monoxide30mHydrocracker-HydrotreaterNOYESNO13.7 pounds
NOx30mHydrocracker-HydrotreaterNONOYES4.0 pounds
Particulate Matter30mHydrocracker-HydrotreaterNOYESNO0.1 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)30mHydrocracker-HydrotreaterNONOYES17.9 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide30mHydrocracker-HydrotreaterNONONO8.6 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

On 11/9/14 at approximately 21:30 hours, the Hydrotreater-Hydrocracker (HTHC) Recycle Compressor malfunctioned, which initiated a shutdown of HTHC and led to a reportable quantity of sulfur dioxide. The cause of the malfunction is under investigation.

Discharge Preventable - Under Investigation

Notes/Remedial Actions

Emissions were minimized by shutting down and then restarting the HTHC unit. Air monitoring was conducted in the downstream wind direction within and around the refinery. The incident is still under investigation to determine preventative measures.