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Formosa Plastics (288), Baton Rouge

Causal Factor: Piping or Tubing

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date
Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
83058

2005-10-12
Crude ethylene dichloride line
Cause: A leak developed in an eight-inch crude ethylene dichloride line.

Followup: Yes

Notes: The line was valved out and taken out of service. It was estimated that less than five pounds of Ethylene Dichloride was released to the atmosphere.
Less than five pound
78304

2005-04-15
NC-201B
Cause: There was a pinhole leak from a valve on NC-201B (Quench Column).

Followup: No

Notes: The release was below reportable quantity.
Vinyl Chloride: 0.9 pounds
92870

2006-12-22
NE301C exchanger
Cause: EDC leak from NE301C exchanger. The process water goes to a cooling tower where it is vaporized into the air.

Followup: No

Notes: There were no readings from the fence line monitoring. According to the notification, the release was associated with a permitted emission source and therefore, "not reportable". No end date or completion of repairs was projected or estimated.

92238

2006-11-27
NC 201 stripper column

Cause: There was a 1/8 in. pinhole leak on the NC 201 stripper column, which released the two chemicals to the air.

Followup: No

Notes: The refinery blocked the leaking section of piping and isolated the column to stop the release. The SPOC report states that the refinery expected to exceed RQ for vinyl chloride, and possibly also exceeded RQ for ethylene dichloride. LABB's file only contains the SPOC report and no other documents.


89083

2006-07-06
Six-inch line leading to the C Furnace.
Cause: There was a pinhole leak on the six-inch line leading to the C Furnace.

Followup:

Notes: The SPOC report states that the refinery planned to shut down the furnace and isolate the line. LABB's file contains only the SPOC report and no other documents. Amount of chemical released is unknown.


107664

2008-07-31
NP 110 CND Recovery pump
Cause: A patch on a line was leaking slowly. Coming from NP 110 CND recovery pump.

Followup: No

Notes: Someone was sent to isolate and patch the release. Amount of ethylene dichloride, hydrochloric acid and vinyl chloride released is unknown. LDEQ report indicates that a written report was received 8/8/08, but that report is not included in LABB's file.



105531

2008-05-11
Quench column NC201C
Cause: There was a flange leak on on the transition line to quench column NC201C.

Followup: No

Notes: The equipment was shut down, and the pressure was removed. Information later revealed that these were fugitive emissions associated with a permitted source.



121040

2010-01-26
"a column"
Cause: Vinyl Chloride leaking from a pinhole leak on a column.

Followup: No

Notes: Clamp was placed over the leak and it was secured within 40 minutes from being notified. Calculations indicate that reportable quantities were not exceeded.

139846

2012-05-21
decon header
Cause: Propylene leak on the decon header which is return piping to non-volital residue 01

Followup: No

Notes: The facility isolated the line and evacuated it. Amount of Propylene released is unknown.
amount released unkn
137128

2012-02-13
piping
Cause: Release of hydrochloric acid, ethylene dichloride, and vinyl chloride from a pinhole leak found in piping.

Followup: No

Notes: Sprayed water on leak to suppress vapor release. No fires, injuries, or evacuations. No letter from the chemical plant. SPOC report states that the vinyl chloride might be close to the RQ. No written notification, only SPOC and verbal report.
Hydrochloric Acid: 5.0 pounds
Vinyl Chloride: 10.0 pounds
Ethylene dichloride: 50.0 pounds