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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette
Releases in 2010
| LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date |
Point Source/Release | Cause | Notes |
| 128240 2010-12-18 | Point Source(s): FTC unit Pollutant(s):Lubricating Oil - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given FCC unit shut itself down when alarm went off, caused lube oil fire. | BRQ. LDEQ report states that no reportable quantities were exceeded. Fire lasted about 27m before being extinguished. "Did not cause an emergency condition." LDEQ & SPOC reports only in this file. |
| 128197 2010-12-16 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given LDEQ report states that it is an air release. No information given regarding cause. | BRQ. According to the follow-up notification letter, this is a courtesy notification. No reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this release. Refinery equipment was shut down for repairs. |
| 127974 2010-12-04 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures Planned and controlled release to shutdown Alky Unit. LDEQ repor states that "according to the 7-day notification report submitted by the facility, no reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this release. The release is considered a courtesy notification. No further action at this time." | BRQ. Release is considered a courtesy notification. |
| 126946 2010-10-08 | Point Source(s): flare Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 78,395 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing Flaring due to isolation of a line involved in a prior incident on 10/4/10 -- see incident #126868. Reportable quantity for Sulfur dioxide was exceeded three times during incident, beginning on 10/10/10. | RQ. "Valve was fully seated to achieve complete isolation." "No chronic or acute health risks are anticipated as a result of this release..." |
| 126929 2010-10-07 | Point Source(s): FLARE Pollutant(s):No Information Given - 0 | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure LDEQ states that there was leak in the flare system. | No Information Given. LDEQ Report included. No Refinery Letter. |
| 126868 2010-10-04 | Point Source(s): saturated gas line to saturated amine contactor Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - 732 pounds Compressed Flammable Gas - 4,263 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing WORKER DIED 10/6--"cause of death under investigation" "saturated gas line to the saturated amine contractor started leaking sour gas to the atmosphere through a previously installed clamp" which had been installed 9/22/10. | area barricaded off, work stopped & personnel moved to safe area, respiratory protection for workers in immediate vicinity, internal & external monitoring, clamp on leak repaired/isolated, will have to flare intermittently until line can be completely replaced. "No chronic or acute health risks are anticipated to have occurred off-site or beyond immediate proximity of release point." |
| 126762 2010-09-29 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Compressed Flammable Gas - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given This file only has a brief refinery report with no specific info. | No information given |
| 126494 2010-09-20 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Flammable Gas - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given "flammable gas in pipe rack" --no further details/explanations Follow-up notifications on 9/21 and 22 referenced in refinery letter but not included in file. | "Attempted to identify line...set up safe zone perimeter...safety personnel taking readings" no additional information |
| 126465 2010-09-17 | Point Source(s): hydraulic winch at dock Pollutant(s):Hydraulic Oil - 1 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing "While loading a coke barge and adjusting the barge position utilizing the down river winch, the winch's hydraulic hose failed and released oil on the dock...it was later discovered that hydraulic oil had landed on the roof of the shelter and dripped down the wall to the river." | Absorbent material placed on dock, boom in river to contain/recover material. Notified St. Bernard Parish Water Board. |
| 126170 2010-09-07 | Point Source(s): Fin Fans Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - 383 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 2,714 pounds | Cause of Problem: Process Upset LDEQ report states the event released hydrogen sulfide and VOC for 163 minutes. CRLLC had a tube failure on the inlet side of an exchager at the hydrodesulfurization unit. Gas was released into the atmosphere. Follow-up report states that the leak was the result of thermal cycles on the fin fans which occurred during a power interruption. The unit was shutdown and fin fan exchanger was purged with nitrogen. | RQ. Unit was shutdown and exchanger purged with nitrogen. LDEQ report states that DEQ database was checked several times for a 60 day follow-up notification but no report was sent within 60 days. When contacted they stated no knowledge of 60 day notification requirement. The facility then submitted the second follow-up report notification with root cause analysis. According to the report, the event was not preventable. This facility referred to circuit rider for not submitting the second follow-up notification in accordance with LAC 33.I.3925.A.3 |
| 126163 2010-09-06 | Point Source(s): FCC regenerator flue gas scrubber vent FLARE: Thox stack, Flare # 1 and 2 FLARE: Flare #1 Pollutant(s):Spent Catalyst - 38,000 pounds Sulfur Dioxide - 106,646 pounds Hydrogen Sulfide - 283 pounds | Cause of Problem: Power Failure Bus bar short to ground due to unsealed air gaps created a voltage dip which resulted in power loss to multiple units which then had to flare. Pressure imbalance in the FCC regenerator resulted in loss of catalyst through the regenerator flue gas scrubber vent. FLARE. | "To reduce the likelihood of recurrence, sealant was installed between the bus bars and supports in PS 7711 and acoustic inspection is being performed at another power station that was designed and installed by the same contractor." Refinery letter states that "there was no emergency condition related to this release and the resulting community exposures would not be expected to have acute or chronic health impacts." |
| 126093 2010-08-19 | Point Source(s): Tank 6344 Tank 6344 in the East Tank Pollutant(s):Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 2,987 pounds Gasoline - 17,303 pounds | Cause of Problem: Human Factors LDEQ report states that a seven day follow report was received from the facility for a release that occurred stating that gasoline was released as a liquid to the roof of a tank and to the ground adjacent to the tank. The transfer of material into the tank was stopped and the roof drain closed. VOC emissions from the release exceeded reportable quantities. Report stated the release was not preventable by the facility investigating the root cause of the release. Operator checking equipment noticed gas smell. FOLLOW-UP: Report from facility states, that incident was preventable and resulted operators not following written procedures causing an uncalibrated level controller. Discharge was released to air. | RQ. LDEQ report states DEQ database was checked several times in November for a 60 day follow-up notification report. No report found in the systems. Chalmette Refinery environmental representative stated he was not aware of the 60 day notification requirement. The facility referred to circuit rider for not submitting a follow-up notification in accordance with LAC 33.I.3925.A.3. On 12/16/2010, the facility submitted a second follow-up notification report. The report states that the leak was preventable and was due to operators not following written procedures causing an uncalibrated level controller. The facility failed to have control facilities in place to prevent to overflow. This is an area of concern with LAC 33:III.905.Control Facilities to be Installed when Feasible." |
| 125559 2010-08-10 | Point Source(s): unspecified piping Pollutant(s):Diglycolamine - 0 | Cause of Problem: Power Failure Leak in piece of piping related to power failure | no information given |
| 125557 2010-08-10 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):No Information Given - 0 | Cause of Problem: Power Failure Chalmette Refining LLC had a power failure. The main breaker was lost. | No information was given. LDEQ Report included. No Refinery Letter was included. |
| 125331 2010-08-02 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 0 | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures SO2 release when system depressurized for maintenance "permitted release, and not a reportable incident" | no information given |
| 124891 2010-07-15 | Point Source(s): Frac Tank Pollutant(s):Benzene - BRQ Wastewater - 0 | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Waste water containing benzene overflowed a frac tank. The volume released was less than the reportable quantity; however the soil would have to be re-mediated. | BRQ. The contaminated soil around the frac tank was picked up but the area under the frac tank may be contaminated as well. Once the frac tank is moved and checked, a follow up report will be sent. FOLLOW UP STATES: 1/2 of a roll off box has been picked up, and upon removal of frac tank and berm more material may need to be removed. |
| 124351 2010-06-22 | Point Source(s): unspecified container Pollutant(s):Catalyst - 1 gallons | Cause of Problem: Equipment Design Container had defective cap, spilled "Merox Catalyst ( <30% cobalt phthalocyanine sufonate with the balance being water)" "not a listed or characteristic hazardous waste and there is no reportable quantity for the amount spilled" | BRQ. LDEQ report states that no reportable quantities were exceeded. No additional information given. LDEQ report only. No refinery letter in this file. |
| 124145 2010-06-14 | Point Source(s): Underground pipe near Tank 1004 Pollutant(s):Diesel Fuel - 1,402 pounds | Cause of Problem: Corrosion "Approximately 4.7 barrels of diesel leaked from an above grade pipe, near facility Tank 1004, that had been buried. The leak was the result of external corrosion in the pipe. | RQ. A vacuum truck was used to recover gallons of diesel, and approximately cubic yards of contaminated earth were removed. The contaminated earth was disposed of at landfill. Repairs to the pipe were completed on 6/17/10 when a new section of pipe was re-routed. |
| 123894 2010-06-01 | Point Source(s): FLARE: #1 Flare (Solenoid Valve) Pollutant(s):Nitrogen Dioxide - 0 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 0 | Cause of Problem: Corrosion LDEQ states that the failure was caused by corrosion in the solenoid. An unplanned activation of the solenoid valve occurred, and the FCC Process Gas Compressor was shut down. Eventually, gasses were vented to the flare. | Process rates were decreased, and the incident was given to the unit engineer for review. The solenoid was replaced, and the weatherization of the system was updated. LDEQ Report included. No Refinery Letter. |
| 123259 2010-05-05 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Wastewater - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Waste water was released. | BRQ. No Information Given. Refinery Letter Included. No LDEQ Report. |
| 123156 2010-04-30 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 0 | Cause of Problem: No Information Given "Waste gas compressor shut down causing SO2 to flare"--no details given. File contains DEQ report only, refinery letter dated 8/17/10 referred to but not included. | no information given. |
| 123040 2010-04-27 | Point Source(s): flare #1 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1,359 pounds Particulate Matter - BRQ Nitrous Oxide - BRQ Carbon Monoxide - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Ammonia - BRQ Benzene - BRQ Carbonyl Sulfide - BRQ Ethylbenzene - BRQ Naphthalene - BRQ Toluene - BRQ Xylene - BRQ n-Hexane - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures Compressor inadvertently tripped while executing Emergency Block Valve Prevention Maintenance Program procedure on it--sent material to flare. | Operations team secured the unit and started up the compressor, full evaluation and troubleshooting will be addressed during next shutdown. Will not perform EBV maintenance program in the meantime. |
| 122808 2010-04-15 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Hydrogen - 0 | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Inner cooler on compressor has leak--hydrogen in river--volitalized out of water. | No letter from refinery. LDEQ verbal report. |
| 122546 2010-04-03 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Human Factors "Unloading olefin truck--vent line to flare left open"--no details. | no information given |
| 122541 2010-04-02 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Verbal DEQ report states: "vapor coming out of ground - Butane." No further details in written report. | no info given |
| 121804 2010-02-27 | Point Source(s): tubing at tank #33 Pollutant(s):Diesel Fuel - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing tubing leaking at tank #33 | no information given |
| 121281 2010-02-04 | Point Source(s): storage tank Pollutant(s):Gasoline - 798 gallons Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 633 pounds | Cause of Problem: Weather floating storage tank roof tilted during heavy rains, released gasoline to roof and roof drain, traveled down drain to soil. Release picked up by air monitor at Chalmette HS. DEQ report only in this file--references a "seven-day notification" but it's not included. | RQ. gasoline foamed to reduce volatilization, recovered from soil with vacuum truck, contaminated soil excavated, bioremediation agent applied to soil. |
| 121183 2010-01-31 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Smoke - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given verbal report states "petroleum coke fire on conveyor." No detailed description in written report. FIRE. | no information given |
| 120686 2010-01-10 | Point Source(s): TANK 56; fast loop sampling pump G3832 Pollutant(s):Gasoline - 147 gallons Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - 512 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Leaking gasoline blend pump. Gasoline release adjacent to Tank 56. | Liquid removed with vacuum truck, contaminated soil removed & disposed of. Report stated that no groundwater impact or health effects were identified as a result of incident. |
| 120629 2010-01-08 | Point Source(s): SOX scrubber Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1,956 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) SOX scrubber circulating water pumps failed due to catalyst pluggage. | RQ. had difficulty dislodging the catalyst--tried switching pumps off & on, using portable air compressor, increased grid wash, FCC charge rate decreased continuing to monitor performance of SOX scrubber |
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