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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

Releases of Ammonia

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
05-BB009-1895

2005-11-14		SRLA battery limit block valve
Cause: a flange leak on the SRLA battery limit block valve containing ammonia acid gas leaked along with a minor pinhole leak.

Followup: No

Notes: The inspection history will be reviewed and more frequent inspections will be performed if appropriate; it was not preventable because the gasket failed, and the gasket was appropriate for the servi		59.0 pounds
05-BB009-1844

2005-07-13		tank732
Cause: C-830 compressor shut down causing ICN unit to shutdown. F-761 control valve was left on control to allowing the liquid level in the ICN product stabilizer tower to continue to tank732. Excess flammable vapor was released.

Followup: No

Notes: it was discovered that the F-761 control valve had not been closed, so it was closed once discovered and the release stopped; procedures will be reviewed and appropriate corrective actions will be ma		1.0 pounds
05-BB009-1869

0000-00-00		fluid catalytic cracking unit
Cause: see notes

Followup: No Information Provided

Notes: this letter served as written notification to comply because the ammonia emissions from the FCCU exceeded the upper bound of its reported normal emissions; the results from May 2004 were significantly higher than the test completed in previous years
87870

2006-05-16		D-104 Hydrocracker
Cause: the clamp on the Hydrocracker D-104 overhead line was leaking. The pressure of the overhead gas was reduced and several attempts were made to reseal the clamp, including trying several different kinds of sealant. The leak would stop for a short durationand then return

Followup: No

Notes: As of 7:30am on 5/22/2006 - the date of this letter - the leak was ongoing. In this letter, Exxon claims states that the reportable quantities for hydrogen sulfide and flammable vapor were exceeded only during the first 24 hours of the incident. This incident was not preventable because the clamp was considered to be a permanent repair (installed in Dec. 2005) until the scheduled unit downtime in 2008. Remedial Measures- a larger engineered clamp will be installed over the existing clamp. "		50.0 pounds
86722

2006-03-24		FLARE - as a result of a leak from the ammonia gas line to the No. 100 Sulfur Plant (SRLA-100)
Cause: the pipe leaked due to new corrosion hole that had developed under the edge of a clamp that was installed in November. The existing clamp was tightened which did not stop the leak so it was replaced with a new clamp which also did not stop the leak. Since the newly installed clamp did not stop the leak, the old clamp was then reinstalled with a new gasket which still did not stop the leak. The feed spheres to the Sour Water Strippers became full which required the start up of the Sour Water Strippers to the flare syste

Followup: No

Notes: The incident was not preventable because, The clamp was installed in Nov. 2005 due to a pinhole leak from condensate corrosion. At that time, the line was x-rayed and no areas of concern were discovered outside the area under the clamp. Therefore, the corrosion hole that led to the release could not have been predicted. Remedial actions- a similar line exists to the SRLA-200 unit. This line will be inspected and repaired while the SRLA 200 unit is down. The letter to LDEQ ss that the reportable quantities for ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide were exceeded. Note: there is a time discrepancy - the report states that the incident started at 2:30pm on 03/24/2006 but was discov		250.0 pounds
97569

2007-06-29		ammonia acid gas leak
Cause: Internal acid corrosion on acid gas line

Followup: No

Notes: Leaking line was removed and will be repaired before returned to service.		165.0 pounds
94023

2007-02-17		safety valve release
Cause: safety valve release

Followup: No

Notes: unit feedrate was reduced until the faulty indicator could be repaired.		81.0 pounds
109134

2008-09-15		feed piping to sulfur recovery unit
Cause: According to the LDEQ incident report, a small leak under the insulation on feed piping to sulfur recovery unit leaked ammonia and H2S.

Followup: No

Notes: Insulation stripped to stop the leak. Release was BRQ.
108690

2008-09-05		Flare
Cause: STORMS-startup brought on flaring after rapid shutdwon due to Hurricane Gustav

Followup: Yes

Notes: refinery is undergoing startup operations. All efforts are being made to minimize environmental impacts. A follow up report will be submitted when startup flaring has ended.		312.0 pounds
108484

2008-09-02		FLARE-Sour Water Stripper routed to flare
Cause: STORMS-Hurricane Gustav

Followup: No

Notes: no information given		618.0 pounds
106154

2008-06-03		flare
Cause: Chemicals are flaring.

Followup: No

Notes: They are in the process of trying to resolve which process unit the chemicals are coming from.
106069

2008-06-01		leaking pipe
Cause: Acid gas leaking from a pipe.

Followup: No

Notes: The line will need to be blocked at some point. Had to locate the source of the leak first.
105542-105544

2008-05-11		safety valve release/ FLARE-Flare 17,23
Cause: process upset/under investigation

Followup: Yes

Notes: In response to the suspected exchanger tube leak, the unit was shut down per appropriate procedures. Safety valve inlet line was cleaned and replaced.		134.0 pounds
117109

2009-08-06		NIG
Cause: Unit section lost power and caused ammonia compressor to lose power which resulted in flaring.

Followup: No

Notes: Odor present. LABB only has access to the SPOC report. No information provided on whether release was BRQ.
124028

2010-06-08		no information given
Cause: A line developed leak, and water had traces of ammonia & some cat cracker catalyst.

Followup: No

Notes: A water clamp was applied. Spill was below reportable quantities. LABB only has access to the LDEQ and SPOC reports.
130418

2011-04-05		Primary Burner in the Sulfur Unit
Cause: A pinhole leak in the sulfur unit caused an ammonia and hydrogen sulfide leak.

Followup: No

Notes: This release is BRQ. The unit was isolated and repaired.		2.0 pounds
130351

2011-04-05		Primary burner in the 200 Unit of the Sulfur Unit
Cause: Pin hole leak from the primary burner in the 200 Unit of the sulfur unit.

Followup: No

Notes: Isolated leak and repaired.		2.0 pounds
160151

2014-11-18		No information given
Cause: Release of flammable vapor, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia between 11/18 and 11/22. No information about accident cause given.

Followup: No

Notes: 		35.0 pounds