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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

Releases of Isopentane

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date
Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
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
17.0 pounds
05-BB009-1815

2005-07-08
alkylation unit
Cause:

Followup: No

Notes: water was sprayed on the vapor cloud to mitigate hazards from the release. Upstream and downstream block valves had to be closed to stop the leak; this was not preventable because the gasket failed- it was an appropriate gasket for the service
407.0 pounds
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. "
105.0 pounds
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.
4,005.0 pounds
103091

2008-02-14
Leak/feed line leak
Cause: Corrosion/corrosion leak occurred through a 3/8 hole on the #2 feed inlet pip

Followup: No

Notes: The tower that the corroded pipe led to was shut down and filled with water to stop residual hydrocarbon vapors from leaking out of the hole. The hole was plugged.An engineered leak box was installed on the line.
412.0 pounds
102274

2008-01-15
no information given/leak
no informaiton given/leak
Cause: no information given

Followup: No

Notes: Written notification from Exxon Mobile surrounding the leak that occurred at the facility stating that no reportable quantities had been exceeded.
26.0 pounds