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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

Releases of Butadiene

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
86548

2006-03-16		FLARE - Alkylation Feed Preparation Unit
Cause: The Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether Unit was converted to an Alkylation Feed Preparation Unit (AFP). The AFP was beginning its initial start up. As the level in one of the towers increased, steam was added to the reboiler to begin producing overhead product. During this time, the safety valves on the tower began relieving to the flare system, which resulted in the reported flare. During the conversion of the unit the overhead pressure meter was reranged in the field, but was no reranged in the control room. Due to this oversight the operator believed he was at a significantly lower pressure and did not immediately discover that the safety valves on the tower had lifted to the flare system. The calculations automtically completed by the flare system

Followup: No

Notes: The cause of the accident is listed as preventable in the company's report, but there is no explanation whatsoever as to why it was preventable - that section is blank. The only remedial measure listed is that the pressure meter range was corrected in the control room. The letter to LDEQ states that reportable quantities of nitrogen oxide and butenes were exceeded.		1.0 pounds
119501

2009-11-16		flares
Cause: Compressor tripped at RGC unit.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ not exceeded. Will re-start compressor and minimize gas that will be sent to the flare.
137359

2012-02-18		FLARE: Flare #7
Cause: Excessive rainfall caused an electrical ground fault to occur with some of the compressor's control instrumentation causing the three compressors to shut down. excesses gases were released to the flares.

Followup: No

Notes: Air monitoring occurred and eventually two of the three compressors were brought back on-line and flaring ceased. There is no refinery Incident report and no SPOC report attached to this file.		10.3 pounds