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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette

Releases of Hydrofluoric Acid

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
80465

2005-07-09		No information given
Cause: Vessel overpressured and went to flare.

Followup: Yes

Notes: Below reportable quantities. There is a discrepancy on the date that this happened; the call in report says 7/9 but the written reports say 7/10		7.7 pounds
116493

2009-07-14		outfall 013
Cause: While an operator was back flushing the HF Alky Unit's heat exchanger, a leak was discovered on the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger released chemicals into the cooling water system (outfall 013) which was subsequently released to the Mississippi River.

Followup: No

Notes: The Alkylation Unit was shut down. The rates were reduced and the acid was evacuated from the unit. Fluoride samples were measured from the cooling water effluent throughout the shutdown of the unit. The pH of outfall 013 was monitored. Root cause of the leak is being investigation, and the follow up should have been filed.		3,257.0 pounds
135522

2011-11-29		Unspecified valve
Cause: Packing leak on valve.

Followup: No

Notes: Chalmette Refining provided a courtesy notification to the LDEQ regarding a release of Hydrogen Fluoride on November 29, 2011. After further review, there were no RQ exceedances or permit violations as a result of this event.
129367

2011-02-17		Alky Unit, leak in release valve
Cause: A pin hole leak in a release valve released Isobutane and Hydrofluoric Acid.

Followup: No

Notes: BRQ. The unit was deactivated and air monitoring commenced.		2.0 pounds
148156

2013-04-16		Alkylation Unit
Cause: A hydrofluoric acid leak at a flange on the alkylation unit was discovered during start up on April 16, 2013 at approximately 12:45 hours.

Followup: No

Notes: A clamp isolated the leak on the evening of April 17, 2013. The initial report estimated 26 pounds of flammable gas was released along with less than 1 pound of hydrogen fluoride. The refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event.