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ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge

Releases of Naphthalene

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
05-BB009-1870

2007-07-05		tank 263
Cause: STORMS- styrene that is not permitted to be stored in tank in the east area south field tanks were emitted while stored in these tanks.

Followup: No

Notes: LCCO is being removed from tank 263 (usual incident number not listed, LAC number given instead); this could have been preventable and the Refinery could have reduced rates, however this was not considered prudent under the given circumstances
05-BB009-1787

2005-06-13		tank 766
Cause: level gauge on tank 766 was not responding correctly. Chemicals began flowing out of the drain on the tank.

Followup: Yes

Notes: foam was sprayed on the tank to reduce exposure and fire potential. The tank was slowly emptied to ensure the roof did not shift and damage the tank.		258.0 pounds
90043

2006-08-16		E-205 A/B exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit
Cause: the E-205 A/B exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit was leaking to Cooling Tower #27. The leak is believed to be from corrosion on the tube bundle.

Followup: No

Notes: This incident was not preventable because the inspection data for this bank of exchangers did not indicate that a failure was imminent. These bundles were tested in January 2005 and were found to have no leaks. Remedial Measures - the exchanger bundle will be inspected and repaired or replaced as appropriate. The reportable quantities for benzene, toluene, naphthalene, volatile organic compounds, xylene mixed isomers, and o-xylene were exceeded. It is possible that the reportable quantities forylene and p-xylene were also exceeded, but available stream specification data does not allow differentiation between the these two isomers		253.0 pounds
89635

2006-08-01		E-205 C/D exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha Unit
Cause: the E-205 C/D exchanger bank on the Heavy Cat Naptha unit was leaking to Cooling Tower #27. The leak is believed to be from corrosion on the tube bundle.

Followup: No

Notes: This incident was not preventable because the inspection data for this bank of exchangers did not indicate that a failure was imminent. These bundles were tested in January 2005 and were found to have no leaks. Remedial Measures - the exchanger bundle will be inspected and repaired or replaced as appropriate. The reportable quantities for xylene, benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and volatile organic compounds were all exceeded		116.0 pounds
104518

2008-04-07		gasoline spill

Cause: Pinhole leak occurred in a line in the Knox tank farm area.

Followup: No

Notes: The leak went into the oil. Some may have vaporized to the air.
119907

2009-12-05		NIG
Cause: Leak occurred on piping.

Followup: No

Notes: Release is BRQ. There is a date difference on company report (Dec. 5, 2009) and State Police HAZMAT report (Dec. 7, 2010).
118829

2009-10-17		transfer piping
Cause: Failure of line of transfer piping from gasoline tankage to loading line due to corrosion at the air-soil interface of piping.

Followup: No

Notes: RQ exceeded. Isolated line with blind installation. Replaced with new piping and special program has been initiated to emphasis piping that may be subject to air-soil interface corrosion. Contaminated soil removed. The refinery letter misstates that the accident occurred on 08/21/09. The following RQs were exceeded: xylene, toulene, ethylbenzene, napthalene, benzene, n-hexane, cyclohexane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, VOCs, oil to soil, and flammable vapor.		1,527.0 pounds
116421

2009-07-11		No Information Given
Cause: A leak occurred due to an unknown cause.

Followup: No

Notes: Tank emptied and remediated contaminated soil. LABB only has access to the SPOC verbal report. No information provided whether release was BRQ.
112606

2009-02-08		Coker Feed Pump: P-6
Cause: Leak occurred because a stream of cold feed entered the suction of the pump. When the cold stream reached the pump, the pump began to cavitate, causing excess vibration. The vibration caused a line coming off of the pump to break.

Followup: No

Notes: The failed piping will be replaced with an upgraded class to withstand future upsets of this nature. Contaminated soil has been remediated and disposed of properly. The RQs for PAHs and oil to soil was exceeded.
136029

2011-12-20		PSLA #10 quench line flange
Cause: The release resulted from a leak caused by a loose flange.

Followup: Yes

Notes: A pan was placed under the leaking flange to collect oil for reprocessing, and to mitigate further release of the material to soil. The bolts were replaced and tightened which stopped the leak. The contaminated soil was remediated immediately after the leak was isolated. 1.5 barrels of Coker feed (or 63 gallons) was also spilt to soil but is not reported as a specific pollutant emitted. However, coker feed has the same RQ as crude oil (1 barrel or 42 gallons) and is thus exceeded. The RQ for PAHs was also exceeded.		0.8 pounds
134110

2011-09-22		Underground crude line
Cause: Oil was discovered on the ground, and excavation revealed that there was a pinhole leak in an underground crude line.

Followup: No

Notes: Vacuum trucks were used to remove oil, soil was being re-mediated, and a clamp was placed on the pipe to prevent further release. All of the release was contained onsite.5051lbs of total VOC released with the addition of Benzene and Naphthalene at 59 lbs and 179 lbs respectively. The Total of Other VOCs that do not include Benzene and Naphthalene is 4813lbs but still exceeds the reportable quantity for the EPA and LDEQ. RQ for Oil is 42gal, Benzene is 10 lbs, VOC is 5000 lbs, and Naphthalene is 100 lbs.		179.0 pounds
143543

2012-08-29		2795-V6, Refinery Tank Farm
Cause: ExxonMobil Refinery Plant reported several operating compliance matters and potential RQ exceedances resulting from upset conditions caused by Hurricane Isaac. Tank 109: An external roof vent was discovered missing on tank 109. There was no damage to the floating roof of this tank and there are no additional emissions from the missing vent on the external roof of tank 109. Tank Socks: Multiple tank socks were discovered missing. Tank 785 Pontoon Covers: Four pontoon covers were discovered blown off tank 785. External Storage: No flaring occurred as a result of the temporary shutdown/curtail of butane and isobutane to alternative despositions to eliminate potential flaring Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS): CEMS analyzers at the BRRF may have experienced less than 90% data availability.

Followup: No

Notes: Tank 109: There were no additional emissions from the missing vent on the external roof of tank 109. Tank Socks: The missing socks will be replaced as soon as possible (or within 45 days). Tank 785 Pontoon Covers: Upon discovery, the pontoon covers were repositioned. There were no excess emissions. External Storage: No flaring occurred as a result of the temporary shutdown/curtail of butane and isobutane to alternative despositions to eliminate potential flaring Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS): ExxonMobil is working to determine the extent to which the CEMS analyzers may have malfunctioned. The findings will be included in the CEMS quarterly report. The report lists a summary of estimated pounds released until repairs. The report suggests that estimates are assuming it would take 45 days to make necessary repairs.