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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #77290
PDF AvailablePDF
State Police #05-01438
Accident Date2005-03-02
Report Date 2005-03-09
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
Carbon Monoxide3h 35mWaste Gas Compressor Number 4 (K-406); Copper tubing connecting C-435 (first stage suction drum) to high-level instrumentationNOYESNO182.0 pounds
Hydrocarbon3h 35mWaste Gas Compressor Number 4 (K-406); Copper tubing connecting C-435 (first stage suction drum) to high-level instrumentationNONOYES118.0 pounds
Hydrogen Sulfide3h 35mWaste Gas Compressor Number 4 (K-406); Copper tubing connecting C-435 (first stage suction drum) to high-level instrumentationNONONO17.0 pounds
Nitric Oxide3h 35mWaste Gas Compressor Number 4 (K-406); Copper tubing connecting C-435 (first stage suction drum) to high-level instrumentationNOYESNO30.0 pounds
Nitrogen Dioxide3h 35mWaste Gas Compressor Number 4 (K-406); Copper tubing connecting C-435 (first stage suction drum) to high-level instrumentationNOYESYES3.0 pounds
Particulate Matter 103h 35mWaste Gas Compressor Number 4 (K-406); Copper tubing connecting C-435 (first stage suction drum) to high-level instrumentationNOYESNO8.0 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide3h 35mWaste Gas Compressor Number 4 (K-406); Copper tubing connecting C-435 (first stage suction drum) to high-level instrumentationNOYESNO6,322.0 pounds

Accident Classified As: Reportable Quantity

Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

Waste gas compressor number 4 (K-406) shut down due to failure of piece of copper tubing connecting C-435 to high-level shutdown instrumentation. When it failed, a false high level reading was recorded, causing automatic safety shutdown system to become engaged.

Discharge Preventable - No

Notes/Remedial Actions

Low-Sulfur content streams were routed to the flare to minimize sour gas flaring. Output was adjusted to minimize amount sent to the flare. C-435 was retubed, K-406 was checked and restarted.