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Valero (1238), Meraux

Releases in 2006

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date
Point Source/Release CauseNotes
92563

2006-12-11
Point Source(s):
#2 SRU incinerator (1-93#)
2 SRU incinerator (1-93#)

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 393 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 583 pounds
Cause of Problem: Start Up, Shut Down

TGT startup - melt out of the two towers during which time the TGT was bypassed
SERC Incident # 06-07489. Excess emmissions was part of standard procedure for operating procedures to do startup. Used acid gas to mitigate the env. Impact of acid gas in the env.
89735

2006-08-03
Point Source(s):
South Flare (EPN #20-72)

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 1,540 pounds
Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing

#3 SRU Malfunction- the ## TGT Bypass Valve opened intermittently to the S. Flare, releasing Sulfur Dioxide. Resulting from a malfunction in the Air Demand Analyzer, b/c of a loss of steam due to pluggage in the steam line.
SERC incident # 06-4881. Immediately looked for the cause and when discovered plugged the line, cleared this small diameter steam line. Solids removed from the line suggest corrosion from Katrina. Looking at the possibility that re-routing this steam line may help prevent recurrence.
89323

2006-07-18
Point Source(s):
None Reported
Pollutant(s):
Cause of Problem: Start Up, Shut Down

startup process for the refinery.
SERC incident # 06-04479. Said the report was made in error since startup is still ongoing and the event was part of the startup.
89284

2006-07-16
Point Source(s):
North Flare (EPN #20-72)
#2 SRU incinerator (EPN #1-93)
South Flare #20-72
#3 SRU incenerator

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 17,708 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 410 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 20,743 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide - 571 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Malfunction at the 450# bOiler Feed Water Discharge Check Valve leading to an automatics safety shutdown of SRU #2,3
SERC incident # 06-04451. Acid gas was routed to the flares and implimenting the refinery's Sulfur Shedding Plan
89141

2006-07-10
Point Source(s):
North Flare (EPN #20-72) and #2 SRU incinerator

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 2,960 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

Sulfur condenser Level Control Valve malfunctioned and a 1st attempt at repair did not correct the problem (malfunction and human error). Operations were able to be continued manually but operator had to go to another unit and the #2 SRU tripped on low water level in the condenser.
SERC Incident # 06-04286. routed acid gas to the N. Flare to reduce env. Impact Valve of SRU was repaired that day. Disciplinary actions were conducted to deal w/ human error.
No LDEQ Number Available

2006-07-07
Point Source(s):
South Flare EPN #20-72

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 14,765 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

SRU malfunction--Loss of steam to the Main Air Blower turbine due to malfunction in the Platform and BOiler TB-01 resulting in an automatic safety shutdown.
SERC incidentReport #06-04249. Has one inconstent calculation of 29, 175 of Sulfur Dioxide being released. (pg. 3)
No LDEQ Number Available

2006-07-07
Point Source(s):
Tank 200-2

Pollutant(s):
Oil - BRQ
Cause of Problem: Under Investigation

under investigation some evidence suggests that it was related to a lightning strike fire on 7/3/2006.
SERC incident # 06-04245. gasoline leaked onto the external floating roof of Tank 200-2
89105

2006-07-07
Point Source(s):
North Flare (EPN #20-72)

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 29,175 pounds
Cause of Problem: Start Up, Shut Down

safety shutdown of #2 SRU because of a malfunction at the TGT stripper reflux Accumulator Control Valve, which failed to open the N. Flare
SERC Incident # 06-04250. That unit had not reached stable operation levels since its startup on June 1, 2006 due to various mechanical malfunctions. Acid gas was routed to the flare until SRU was stabilized- to mitigate env. Impact.
89036

2006-07-03
Point Source(s):
Tank 200-2

Pollutant(s):
Volatile Organic Compounds - 54 pounds
Benzene - 0 pounds
Cause of Problem: Weather

Lightning strike at a seal on the external floating roof causing a small fire--small fire involving gas vapors in the Tank 200-2
Serc Incident # 06-04168. Refinery quickly isolated the tank and contained the fire. Made plans to transfer the gasoline initiate inspection and repairs to the tanks
89002

2006-07-01
Point Source(s):
North Flare (EPN #20-72)

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 1,282 pounds
Cause of Problem: Human Factors

Unintentional Trip of #2 SRU when console operator inadvertently entered an incorrect set point for the Main Air Valve Positioner.
SERC Incident # 06-14134. Acid Gas was routed to the North Flare until #2 SRU was returned to service to cut down env. impact.
88939

2006-06-28
Point Source(s):
South Flare EPN #3-77

Pollutant(s):
Sulfur Dioxide - 29,813 pounds
Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure

#3 SRU (Sulfur Recovery Unit) Bypass- Unintentional trip of the unit from a satellite monitoring location that was thought to have no active control. When SRU returned to service Sulfur Dioxide leaked from #3 TGT (Tail Gas Treater) until sufficient acid gas could sustain #3 TGT.
Plant followed operating procedures to mitigate the damage routing acid gas to the S. flare. Also, implimented sulfur shedding plan to reduce Sulfur Dioxide emissions. Brought the SRU online as soon as possible. Afterward, reconfigured DCS (Distributive Control System) to ensure that satellite monitoring screens had no active control capability.
88856

2006-06-25
Point Source(s):
None Reported
Pollutant(s):
Cause of Problem: Start Up, Shut Down

#1 Sour Water Stripper Startup
SERC Incident # Report says startup still going and report will be filed when startup is finished.