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Valero (26003), Norco

Releases of Propane

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
101863

2007-12-21		outlet line of the C3C4 KOH Dryers (V-17-05A/B)
Cause: A hole was found in the LPG line that feeds the T-17 bullets. The hole was 1/4 inch.

Followup: Yes

Notes: Valero responded to the leak found by submerging the line with fire water to suppress vapors, isolating the leak, and depressuring the line/vessel to flare. The failed section of the pipe was replaced and the line returned back to service. The isolationand depressurization lasted approximately 1h 15m.		1,273.0 pounds
103790

2008-03-10		Flares 1 and 2, Thermal Oxidizer #1, Cooling Tower (CT-04-02)
Cause: start up of Alky and MSCU Units following a major refinery turnaround reveals propane leak.

Followup: Yes

Notes: Valero secured a Temporary Variance prior to this turnaround. Incident still under investigation at time of report. Follow up letter states that VOC emissions were 1238 lbs/hr, but it does not state how long this emission rate lasted.
130948

2011-05-02		Coker LPG line
Cause: Valero had blinded and de-inventoried the Coke LPG line as part of a project to elevate the Prospect Road pipe bridge that connects their East Plant and West Plant. The blinds were removed several days prior to the incident but valves in the pipe system remained closed. Valero believes that gas leaked by one of the valves and accumulated in a section of pipe after the blind had been removed on the West Plant side of the project area thus trapping gas between two closed valves. On the day of the incident, the project operator opened the downstream valve in the pipe bridge that was closest to the FCCU in order to commission a new section of pipe; the upstream valve remained. When the valve was cracked open, gas that had accumulated in the pipe leaked out into the FCCU which was undergoing construction at the time of the incident.

Followup: Yes

Notes: Coker liquified petroleum gas (LPG) which is composed mainly of butenes and propenes was released from pipe openings in the FCCU area and dispersed. Emissions were minimized by isolating the coker LPG line. Valero identified the following corrective actions and target completion dates were identified as a result of the root cause failure analysis of this incident: (1) Issue safety alert on this incident to all personnel (2) Review incident with operators and discuss need for good communications when lining up piping to units (3) Develop a battery limits blind list for the FCCU for use during future turnarounds (4) Develop a battery limits list for Complex III (Crude-Vacuum-Coker units) for use during future turnarounds		436.3 pounds