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Chalmette Refining (1376), Chalmette
Releases in 2013
| LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date |
Point Source/Release | Cause | Notes |
| 152220 2013-11-07 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Reported release of volatile organic compounds and hydrogen sulfide that occurred on November 7, 2013. No reportable quantities were exceeded during this event. | |
| 152005 2013-10-31 | Point Source(s): D acid cooler Flare #1 Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Flouride - 218 pounds Sulfur Dioxide - 10,360 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure On October 30, personnel identified increased fluoride levels of routine samples at the battery limits of the Alkylation unit in the cooling water return system from 0.39 parts per million (ppm) to 0.5 ppm. Based on preliminary findings, the "D" acid cooler at the alkylation unit appears to have developed a leak. Sampling conducted at Outfall 013, which measures fluoride concentration, suggests a neutral pH, dilute solution of HF was leaking from a heat exchanger in the cooling water system and discharged through the outfall. CRLLC personnel began to shutdown the unit in order to isolate the cooler on October 31. As a result of the leak and subsequent shutdown of the unit, intermittent flaring occurred at the #1 Flare beginning on October 31 and ending on November 2. | The Alkylation Unit was shut down in a safe and controlled manner in order to isolate the acid cooler. The acid cooler is being inspected and repaired to minimize the risk of recurrence. The rates were reduced and the acid was evacuated from the unit. Fluoride samples were measured from the cooling water effluent throughout the shutdown of the unit. The pH of Outfall 013 was continuously monitored. |
| 151403 2013-10-07 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 2,442 pounds | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures On Monday, October 7, 2013 at approximately 09:03 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors overpressured from a planned maintenance shutdown of the waste gas system (WGS) resulting in the intermittent staging of the #1 Flare. The WGS was being taken temporarily out of service for maintenance of the electrical switchgear. During the WGS outage, the waste gas is routed to the FGM compressors for recovery. The increased flow of the waste gas to the FGM compressors caused an overpressure of the recovery system and staged the #1 Flare. According to the 01/10/14 follow up letter the WGS was being taken temporarily out of service for maintenance of an electrical switchgear. During WGS outage, waste gas is routed to the flare gas management (FGM) system compressors for recovery system, resulting in the intermittent staging of the # 1 Flare. | The maintenance of the electrical switchgear was completed and the compressors were returned to service to eliminate the gas being routed to the recovery system. All three flare gas recovery compressors were online to minimize flaring during the event. The planned maintenance activity for the WGS will increase the reliability of the system and reduce the likelihood of waste gas being routed to the flare gas recovery system. According to the LDEQ incident report "this event is considered reasonably unforeseeable, therefore qualifies as an upset in accordance with LAC 33:507J Upset Conditions" |
| 151351 2013-10-01 | Point Source(s): Tank Farm, Tank 52 Pollutant(s):Benzene - 154 pounds Hydrocarbon - 181 gallons | Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket On October 1, 2013, personnel identified a leak at Tank 52 charge pump (G-9053) which was determined to be from a mechanical seal failure. The valve on the suction side of the pump malfunctioned. | The pump was immediately turned off and the valves on the suction and discharge sides of the pump were closed to attempt to isolate the leak from the pump. The valve on the suctions side of the pump malfunctioned and required the use of water to pressure the hydrocarbon material back to Tank 52 until the line could be isolated. The pump will be repaired and inspected prior to being put back in to service. |
| 150508 2013-08-21 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given | Reported release of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds that occurred at Chalmette Refining, L.L.C. on August 21, 2013. After further evaluation, we have determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event. |
| 150109 2013-08-05 | Point Source(s): Pump G-1083 Pollutant(s):Benzene - 81 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure On August 5, 2013, personnel identified a leak at a clay tower charge pump (G-1083) which was determined to be from a broken nipple on the pump. Once the area was isolated, the pump was turned off and removed from service. Community monitoring was conducted during the event and all results were non-detect. Onsite fenceline monitoring indicated no offsite impacts to the community. | The pump was turned off and removed from service to isolate the leak. Improvements are being conducted which will replace the current schedule 80 nipple with a schedule 160 nipple to reduce the risk of future failures. A gusset will also be installed on the nipple for support. |
| 150004 2013-07-29 | Point Source(s): Flare #1 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1,666 pounds | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures On Thursday, July 29, 2013, at approximately 1352 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors over pressured from a planned maintenance shutdown of the waste gas compressor (K406) resulting in the staging of the #1 Flare. K406 was being taken temporarily out of service to repair piping on the sight glass and bottom drain piping for the cooling water day tank. During the K406 outage, the waste gas is routed to the FGM compressors for recovery. The increased flow of the waste gas to the FGM compressors caused an overpressure of the recovery system and stages the #1 Flare. On 8/28/2013 LDEQ conducted "onsite discussions" with Chalmette supervisors about three accidents relating to the WGC and FGC unit between 7/25-7/28 (149927, 149989, 150004). | K406 was repaired and returned to service to eliminate the gas being routed to the recovery system. The planned maintenance activity for K406 will increase the reliability of the waste gas system and reduce the likelihood of waste gas being routed to the flare gas recovery system. |
| 149989 2013-07-28 | Point Source(s): Flare #1 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1,548 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure On Sunday, July 28, 2013, at approximately 0349 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors began to lose suction and stopped pumping resulting in the staging of the #1 Flare for approximately 7 minutes. With the inability of the compressors to pump reliably, a water change out was required to get the system back in normal and stable operation. This process intermittent flaring between 10:44 and 18:11. | Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. An ongoing evaluation of the equipment during the event revealed the flare gas recovery water purge capability was restricted. This resulted in increased unreliability of the compressors due to the reduced discharge rate of the high molecular weight water recirculating in the system. The water purge capability was restored on 7/29 and should result in faster recovery times from unplanned high molecular weight gas events. LDEQ conducted "onsite discussions" with Chalmette Environmental and business supervisor related to three accidents related to the FGC and WGC units between 7/25-7/28 (149927, 149989, 150004) on 8/28/2013. |
| 149927 2013-07-25 | Point Source(s): Flare #1 Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 10,860 pounds | Cause of Problem: Process Upset On Thursday, July 25, 2013, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors began to lose suction and stopped pumping resulting in the staging of the #1 Flare. Prior to this even, a planned venting of pump G7908 occurred and is suspected to have caused an increased flow of higher molecular weight material to the compressor system. Concurrently, waste gas compressor (K406) was out of service from a prior malfunction causing waste gas to be routed to the FGM system. The increased flow of the waste gas caused an overpressure of the recovery system and staged the #1 Flare. | Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. K406 was repaired and returned to service to reduce the gas being routed to the recovery system. An evaluation of the equipment during the event revealed the flare gas recovery water purge capability was restricted. This resulted in increased unreliability of the compressors due to the reduced discharge rate of the high molecular weight water recirculating in the system. The water purge capability was restored on 7/29 and should result in faster recovery times from unplanned high molecular weight gas events. Waste gas system compressor reliability and water purge capability will be reviewed to identify and evaluate improvement options. LDEQ conducted "onsite discussions" with Chalmette Environmental and business supervisor related to three accidents related to the FGC and WGC units between 7/25-7/28 (149927, 149989, 150004) on 8/28/2013. |
| 149707 2013-07-16 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given CRLLC reported release of sulfur dioxide that occured on July 16, 2013. | It was determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event. No additional information was provided in addition to not exceeding reportable quantities of sulfur dioxide. |
| 149561 2013-07-10 | Point Source(s): Flare Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1,396 pounds | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures On Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at approximately 0422 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors began to lose suction intermittently due to mechanical issues. The root cause of the mechanical issues was determined to be residual high molecular wight material entrained in the flare gas compressor circulating water from the reported events on July 7, 2013. To mitigate long term issues, the circulating water was changed out in the system which resulted in the staging of the flare during the process. | Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. To mitigate long term issues, the circulating water was changed out in the system which requires the staging of the flare during this process. CRLLC claimed that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event although they did release over 500 pounds of sulfur dioxide which is RQ. |
| 149525 2013-07-07 | Point Source(s): FGM compressor Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1,854 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure On July 7, 2013, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors began to lose suction intermittently due to mechanical issues caused by high molecular weight material being routed to the compressors. A comprehensive investigation determined that controlled venting from Tk-9005 and a PSV leaking from the FCC Unit and relieving to the FGM system were the cause of the FGM compressor mechanical issues. The two identified sources were blocked in and the compressors were brought back online. Community monitoring was conducted during the event and all results were zero. | Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. TK-9005 vent and the FCC PSV were blocked in to isolate the materials from being routed to the flare gas compressors. |
| 149521 2013-07-06 | Point Source(s): No information given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 50 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure On July 6, 2013, mechanical problems with the FGR compressors caused a release of sulfur dioxide. No reportable quantities were exceeded as a result of this release. | No information was provided in addition to the release being below reportable quantity. |
| 149333 2013-06-22 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure On June 22, 2013, sulfur dioxide released to air due to compressor trip. | The refinery letter only included that the incident was below reportable quantity. No information regarding duration or point source were included. |
| 149037 2013-06-06 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 133 pounds | Cause of Problem: No Information Given Release of sulfur dioxide that occurred at the Chalmette Refinery, L.L.C. (CRLLC) on June 6, 2013. After further evaluation, they have determined that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event. | No information was provided in the refinery letter regarding the duration or point source of the release. |
| 148946 2013-05-31 | Point Source(s): Pollutant(s):Diesel Fuel - 1 gallons | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing ON Friday, May 31 2013, at approximately 1118 hours, Chalmette Refinery L.L.C (CRLLC) personnel observed a small visible sheen at the Number Four Dock due to a leak in the fuel supply line to the Once Through Cooling Water (OTCW) pump. Immediate notifications were made to the appropriate agencies and US Environmental deployed containment and absorbent boom to contain and collect sheen. An investigation determined that the source of the leak was from a hole in the suppy hose. The leak was immediately isolated at 1125 hours. No emergency conditions resulted from this release. | Immediate notifications were made to the appropriate agencies and US Environmental deployed containment and absorbent boom to contain and collect the sheen. Additional shields will be installed around the supply hose area for the supply pumps to provide an additional barrier preventing diesel from escaping the containment area. |
| 148919 2013-05-27 | Point Source(s): Leaking pipe Pollutant(s):Oil - 10 gallons | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing On May 27, oil from a leaking pipe was found on the ground near the land between the river and the levee. | The area was cleaned with the collected material held for proper disposal. The piping identified as the root cause has been clamped to prevent recurrence. No oil reached the water. |
| 148913 2013-05-25 | Point Source(s): No Information Given Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given | |
| 148825 2013-05-20 | Point Source(s): Fuel gas line Pollutant(s):Compressed Flammable Gas - 3,445 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing On May 20, at approximately 3:15 PM, a leak was detected from a fuel gas line near the Hydrocracking Unit. A failure analysis conducted on the failed section of the pipe indicated that increased water saturation and chloride content in the stagnant zone of the pipe was the cause of the degradation. | Immediate remedial action was to barricade the area and water was used to dissipate vapors from the release. The line was isolated and a clamp was installed to mitigate the leak. Onsite monitoring was conducted during the events and all results were zero. No emergency conditions or adverse offsite impacts resulted from this release. |
| 148731 2013-05-15 | Point Source(s): FGM compressors Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 20,020 pounds | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at approximately 13:53 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors were shut down due to high molecular weight materials being purged to the system during the Alky Unit startup. There was the potential to cause long-term damage if the FGM compressors continued to be used during this process which would result in the recovery system being out of service for an extended period of time. | The compressors were returned to service immediately after equipment preparation and maintenance activities were completed. Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. |
| 148700 2013-05-12 | Point Source(s): FGM compressor, #1 Flare Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 1,049 pounds | Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure On Sunday, May 12, 2013, at approximately 19:25 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors tripped on a high inlet separator drum liquid level which resulted in material being routed to the #1 Flare. An investigation revealed the liquid level instrumentation that controls the levels in the inlet separator drum had malfunctioned causing the liquid level control valve to close and the liquid level to rise. This occurred when the level instrument was reading at lower than the setpoint value and the valve closed to raise the liquid level although the level was already rising but could not be seen by the operator board. The computer logic is designed to shut down the flare gas compressors during high level liquid alarms which were detected by a triplicated high level system which is independent of the liquid level that controls the control valve to prevent damaging the equipment. | Steps were taken to minimize emissions as much as possible and return the FGM compressors to normal operation. The inlet separator drum level instrumentation was repaired and is now operating normally. Additional systems are being evaluated which would provide backup indicators of conditions that would fill the inlet separator drum. |
| 148358 2013-04-26 | Point Source(s): FGM compressor Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 6,866 pounds | Cause of Problem: Process Upset On Friday, April 26, 2013, at approximately 14:33 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors stopped pumping during the startup of the fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) unit due to high molecular weight in the system. The FGM compressors are not able to pump correctly with high molecular weight in the water interface. There was also the potential to cause long-term damage if the FGM compressors continued to be used during this process which would result in the recovery system being out of service for an extended period of time. | The compressors were returned to service after equipment preparation and maintenance activities were completed on April 27, 2013 at 15:49 hours. All efforts were taken to minimize emissions as much as possible during the compressor outages. Community monitoring was conducted during the events and all results were non-detect. Steps were taken to minimize emissions as much as possible and operations are being adjusted to return the FGM compressors to normal operation. |
| 148156 2013-04-16 | Point Source(s): Alkylation Unit Pollutant(s):Hydrofluoric Acid - BRQ Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given A hydrofluoric acid leak at a flange on the alkylation unit was discovered during start up on April 16, 2013 at approximately 12:45 hours. | A clamp isolated the leak on the evening of April 17, 2013. The initial report estimated 26 pounds of flammable gas was released along with less than 1 pound of hydrogen fluoride. The refinery letter states that no reportable quantities were exceeded during this event. |
| 148142 2013-04-16 | Point Source(s): NIG Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given On April 16, 2013 Chalmette Refining experienced a leak of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. The refinery letter stated that no reportable quantities were exceeded. No additional information was provided. | |
| No LDEQ Number Available 2013-04-15 | Point Source(s): Exchanger E464 Pollutant(s):Lube Oil - 1 pounds | Cause of Problem: Corrosion On Monday, April 15, 2013, at approximately 1745 hours, Chalmette Refinery L.L.C. (CRLLC) personnel observed a small visible sheen at Outfall 012 due to small, intermittent droplets of oil, immediate notifications were made to the appropriate agencies and US Environmental deployed containment and absorbent boom to contain and collect the sheen. An investigation determined that the source of the leak was from the lube oil cooler exchanger E464 for natural gas motor K401. The exchanger was immediately isolated at 1815 hours. The root cause of the failure was determined to be chloride stress corrosion cracking and chloride pitting after visual inspection of the pipe. Lube oil was released to the river as a liquid. | Exchanger E464 was immediately isolated once it was determined to be the source of the leak. Trace, residual droplets still in the pipe after the exchanger system was isolated were observed until approximately 1100 hours on April 16, 2013. The root cause of the failure was determined to be chloride stress corrosion cracking and chloride pitting after visual inspection of the pipe. The metallurgy was changed to more chloride resistant material to prevent future recurrence. The company classified this accident as exceeding state police and DEQ RQs, but the amount reportedly released was less than the 1 barrel (42 gallon) RQ. LABB has accessed the 60 day follow up, but not the initial written discharge which was dated 4/21/13. |
| 148111 2013-04-14 | Point Source(s): FGM Compressors Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 6,744 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Design On Sunday, April 14, 2013, at approximately 0843 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors were shut down due to high molecular weight materials being purged to the system during the Alky Unit startup. Sulfur dioxide was released to the air. | Emissions were minimized as much as possible and the FGM compressors were returned to normal operation as soon as possible. A similar event labeled "not preventable" occurred on March 2, 2013, LDEQ number: 147101. |
| 147803 2013-04-03 | Point Source(s): Coker 2 Gas Compressor Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 24,480 pounds | Cause of Problem: Power Failure A lightning strike caused a temporary loss of power from Entergy resulting in a shutdown of the K8101 wet gas compressor. On Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at approximately 1026 hours, Chalmette Refinery experienced a disruption in power service causing the coker 2 gas compressor to trip (K8101). This resulted in the fractionator overhead valve opening to the flare system to control the pressure. K8101 restart attempts failed and the flare gas management (FGM) compressors stopped pumping from the increased molecular weight. Flare 1 was out of service for maintenance activities and the gas was routed to the #2 Flare system to ensure safe operations. K8101 was restarted at 1420 hours and at approximately 1640 hours the FGM compressors were restarted and H2S levels decreased. All systems were normal at 1800 hours. | After several attempts to restart K8101 flare gasses were routed to the #2 Flare to ensure safe operations. All efforts were taken to get the flare system back in normal operation as quickly as possible. |
| 147793 2013-04-03 | Point Source(s): discharge pipe from the Flare 1 knockout drum Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - 4 pounds Benzene - 0 pounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - BRQ Sulfides - 32 pounds Benzene - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Corrosion On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at approximately 0145, a Chalmette Refining, L.L.C. (CRLLC) operator noticed odors around the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) shelter. At 0225, CRLLC was notified by St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office of a community complaint regarding a potential odor. The potential odor issue was communicated to relevant supervisors during the 0400 shift change, and operators continued to investigate the cause of odor during initial rounds. At approximately 0600, CRLLC personnel detected and reported potential odors, and intensified the investigation to identify the source and possible root cause. Personnel identified a leak from a pipe near Tank 5502 at 0645 and positively identified the source as a discharge pipe from the Flare 1 knockout drum at 0708. Moderate to heavy rain water and insulation covering the pipe, made it difficult to identify the leak source. The root cause of failure was determined to be highly localized internal pipe corrosion. | The pipe section with the leak was completely isolated at 0745, then vacuum trucks were utilized to clean up the spilled material. An engineered pipe clamp was installed to eliminate the pipe leak. To minimize any further potential community impacts from the odor, firefighting foam and suppressants were applied to the area possibly affected by the leak. Contaminated soil was remediated. In addition to determining root cause and actions regarding the pipe failure CRLCC has identified two actions to be taken to improve odor management and response: 1. Update guidelines for addressing community odor complaints. 2. Refresh personnel involved in this incident on expectations for documenting odor complaint activities/ observations on written shift change reports. The accident did result in offsite impact because ExxonMobil officials released this claims number for any community members affected: 866-752-6339. The facility made a small mention of the bad smell that permeated throughout the metro area in their letter to LDEQ. According to Exxon's April 10th report, "While there was no impact to ambient air quality standards set by the LDEQ and EPA to protect health and environment, the leak was malodorous given the 245 parts per million mercaptan levels of the sulfur compounds. While there was no impact to ambient air quality standards set by the LDEQ and EPA to protect health and the environment, the leak was malodorous given the 245 parts per million mercaptan levels of the sulfur compounds. The May 30th follow up updates this value to 127 parts per million. According to the 30 day follow up on May 30, 2013: On July 9, 2013 - CRLLC has pledged to participate in the Jefferson Parish LEPC meeting. |
| 147393 2013-03-17 | Point Source(s): piping Pollutant(s):Compressed Flammable Gas - BRQ Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing Due to a crack on a pipeline compressed gas and hydrogen sulfide were released to the air. According to a letter submitted by Chalmette Refining, this was a courtesy notification. | |
| 147323 2013-03-11 | Point Source(s): cooling tower Pollutant(s):Benzene - 113 pounds | Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure On Saturday, March 11, 2013 at approximately 10:00 hours, elevated benzene concentrations were detected in the inlet to the cooling tower. After conducting a series of exchanger testing to determine the source, the site identified an exchanged which had the water side blocked in and filled with benzene product material. The inlet and outlet block valves on the product side were immediately closed. | The inlet and outlet block valves on the product side of the exchanger were immediately blocked in to eliminate the benzene source from the cooling tower. |
| 147210 2013-03-07 | Point Source(s): Hydrogen Feed Pipe at the Hydrodesulfurization Unit Pollutant(s):Compressed Flammable Gas - 1,864 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing On Thursday, March 7, 2013, at approximately 20:30 hours, a leak was detected from a hydrogen feed pipe at the hydrodesulfurization unit. CRLLC is conducting a failure analysis of the pipe to determine the cause of the failure and prevent recurrence. Onsite monitoring was conducted during the events and all results were zero. Compressed flammable gas were released to the air. A failure analysis was conducted and indicated stress relieving due to high cycle fatigue was the root cause of the event. | The unit was depressurized and taken out of service in order to isolate and replace the pipe. CRLLC conducted a failure analysis of the pipe to determine the cause of the failure and prevent recurrence. The failure analysis indicated stress relieving due to high cycle fatigue was the root cause of the event. To prevent future recurrence, all existing supports surrounding the piping were inspected and repaired as needed. An additional support was also added near the failure location. |
| 147101 2013-03-02 | Point Source(s): Flare Gas Compressor Pollutant(s):Sulfur Dioxide - 4,724 pounds | Cause of Problem: Equipment Design On Saturday, March 2, 2013, at approximately 21:03 hours, the flare gas management (FGM) compressors could not be returned to service following a permitted maintenance activity due to high molecular weight in the system. The FGM compressors were not able to pump correctly with high molecular weight in the water interface and due tot he cold weather conditions the high weight material was not able to be flushed from the system. This event is considered reasonably unforseeable, therefore qualifies as an "upset" in accordance with LAC 33:507.J.Upset Conditions. | This event resulted in a release of 4724 pounds of sulfur dioxide. This exceeded sulfur dioxide's reportable quantity of 500 pounds. |
| 146908 2013-02-24 | Point Source(s): Alkylation Unit Pollutant(s):Unknown Substance - BRQ | Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures On February 22, 2013, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was notified that Chalmette refining would be performing a permitted flaring associated with the shutdown of the Alkylation Unit on February 24, 2013. It was noted that US Risk would be performing air monitoring for Chalmette Refining during this event. | The event did not exceed a reportable quantity. It was not disclosed what chemical was released during the permitted flaring, though it is stated that there will be air monitoring during the permitted flaring for SO2, H2S, and VOCs. |
| 146246 2013-01-29 | Point Source(s): no information given Pollutant(s):Hydrogen Sulfide - BRQ Flammable Gas - BRQ | Cause of Problem: No Information Given A release of Hydrogen Sulfide and compressed flammable gas on January 29, 2013. No information given to the root cause. | According to the facility's report, there were no adverse environmental impacts that occurred during this time. |
| No LDEQ Number Available 2013-01-20 | Point Source(s): Pollutant(s):Crude Oil - 1,512 gallons | Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Broken valve caused spill. | Material cleaned up and no offsite impacts noted, leak secured at time of first follow up call. A second follow call in the evening notified me that the facility was receiving notifications from citizens about oil on Co Rd S. Dense fog is suspected to be cause for material leaving site. Facility has set up a number for citizens to report any impacts. Clean up is a priority. A follow-up visit will be conducted once material has been cleaned. 36 barrels of crude oil were released. |
| 146189 2013-01-20 | Point Source(s): Crude 2 unit Pollutant(s):Crude Oil - 100 gallons Benzene - 21 pounds | Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing On Sunday, January 20, 2013, at approximately 06:05 hours unit personnel identified a leak at the Crude 2 unit from a failed bleeder valve. A root cause failure analysis and investigation is ongoing and results will be provided in a 60-day follow-up report. Off-site monitoring by a third party contractor was initiated following identification of the leak and all results were non-detect for benzene and hydrogen sulfide. Low levels of VOC's were detected. The root cause of bleeder valve failure occurred from a failure mechanism of piping assembly due to high-cycle fatigue caused by line vibration during the PSV relief. | Upon discovery, the bleeder valve was isolated to stop the leak and cleanup of the area was immediately isolated. Notifications were made to shift supervision and the area was barricaded off to restrict access to the unit. All work was stopped and personnel were directed to a safe area. The appropriate agencies were notified. Internal and external monitoring was initiated. CRLLC has installed gussets on the bleeder valves of both desalter PSV's with similar design configurations. CrLLC will also ensure that all future Project Hazard Analysis (PHA) identify whether lines in vibrating service are adequately supported to avoid/mitigate any future re-occurrence of this root cause. |
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