| Home | Search | Emissions | Pollutants | About the Database |
ExxonMobil Refinery (2638), Baton Rouge
Releases of n-Hexane
| 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-BB009-1721 2005-02-27 | FLARE | Cause: the controller responsible for the operation of the Refinery Gas Compression Unit (RGCU) began experiencing problems Followup: No Notes: C-50 was started up to eliminate the flaring and was run on manual. Incident not preventable because normal preventative precautions not used due to concern over clanging noises. | 3.0 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 | 55.0 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 | 25.0 pounds |
| 87621 2006-05-04 | E-3 exchanger on the Coker | Cause: the leak is believed to have been caused by corrosion and erosion Followup: No Notes: There is no information whatsoever as to why the accident was preventable. Remedial Measures- the bundle was replaced with a new bundle. In the letter to LDEQ, Exxon states that the reportable quantities for hydrogen sulfide and benzene were exceeded | 56.0 pounds |
| 99633 2007-09-20 | atmospheric release | Cause: Followup: Yes Notes: Unit depressurized immediately in accordance with emergency process. Investigation is ongoing, appropriate follow up will be complete | 778.0 pounds |
| 107363 2008-07-18 | Spill/suction line | Cause: Leaking oil was caused by an improperly installed blind on a common suction line used for mixing gasoline components. Followup: No Notes: A vacuum truck immediately began to pick up the pooled oil. The blind was reinstalled and other installations for the same mechanical work were checked. Contaminated soil removed. The LDEQ reportable quantity for oil to soil (1 barrel) was exceeded and the RQ for Benzene (10 lbs) was also exceeded. Amount of Light Cat Naptha released was 11.3 barrels and amount of benzene released was 31.7 pounds. | 37.2 pounds |
| 106262 2008-06-07 | Atmospheric release/FLARE-Flare 17,19,23 | Cause: The C-101 Recycle Compressor on the HCLA unit shut down due to a fault in the transformer that supplies power to the compressor motor. The compressor trip automatically activated the units emergency depressurization procedures, which caused gases in the HCLA reactor system to be vented to the atmosphere via the condensable blow down drum. The transformer failed due to overheating. The air conditioner in the substation was found to have failed causing the temperature in the building to increase and the transformer to overheat. FLaring also occurred. Followup: Yes Notes: The unit was depressurized automatically in accordance with the emergency procedures. Temporary ventilation conditioning was installed in the substation to cool the remaining electrical equipment. Total amount of flammable vapor released was 108,206 pounds. Total amount of VOC's released was 93,904 pounds | 683.0 pounds |
| 102970 2008-02-10 | oil spill | Cause: Crude oil was discovered leaking from a low flow switch on a pump discharge line. The cause of the leaking switch is unknown at this time. Followup: Yes Notes: written report from Exxon Mobile surrounding oil spill incident stating other pollutants that had been released into the soil and their quantities. The pump was shut down and blocked to stop release of oil. A vacuum truck picked up pooled soil and soil remediation was initiated. Spill was located with in Anchorage Tank Farm in West Baton Rouge PArish. The low flow switch was removed and a blank was installed in its place. | 5.0 pounds |
| 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. | 9,525.0 pounds |
| 134402 2011-10-05 | E-2 Condenser into CT 18 | Cause: On 10/5/11 at approximately 7:25 pm, the Baton Rouge Refinery discovered a release. A leak was discovered by operations personnel during structured rounds at the Pipestill #9 Unit. The release source was determined by a cooling tower, and investigation determined that heat exchangers in the E-2 bank were allowing hydrocarbon to enter the cooling water system. Upon discovery, personnel lowered the E-2 hydrocarbon pressure. By maintaining the hydrocarbon pressure below the cooling water pressure, hydrocarbon will not be released into the water. Gas testing performed in the area confirms that the release ended when the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered. Review of Pipestill #9 operations indicate the release likely began around noon on 10/5. Followup: No Notes: Weather conditions at the time of this release: 87 degrees, 6 mph wind from the east, no precipitation. To end the release, the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered, By maintaining the tower pressure below the cooling water pressure, hydrocarbon will not be released into the water. To prevent recurrence, the hydrocarbon pressure was lowered. The computer control system has been adjusted to minimize the tower pressure. A permanent bundle repair will be completed the next time the exchangers are removed from service. Reportable quantities of benzene and naptha were exceeded. | 111.3 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. | 0.2 pounds |
Connect With Us: