LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

About the Database

Honeywell (289, 183605), Baton Rouge

Releases in 2005

LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date	Point Source/Release	Cause	Notes
82591 2005-09-29	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): Calcium Chloride - 76,722 pounds	Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure The facility was loading a railcar with calcium chloride liquid. The loading flow meter failed to shut off completely, resulting in an overflow into containment.	Material was sent to the process sewer.
82673 2005-09-27	Point Source(s): Outfall 001 Pollutant(s): Chloroform - 5 pounds	Cause of Problem: Weather Stormwater removed during Hurricane Rita fromt the containment area to prevent equipment damage was processed for discharge through OF 001. During the discharge, a by-pass valve failure allowed the discharge of some untreated wastewater containing chloroform. Post incident inspection found that the by-pass valve could not be completely closed even though all of the valve's external position markers indicated it was in a fully closed position.	The valve was replaced, and a blind was inserted in the line to prevent any further leakage.
79952 2005-06-17	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): Chloroform - 10 pounds perchloroethylene - 100 pounds	Cause of Problem: No Information Given The refinery reported a continuous release to the atmosphere.	LABB's file only contains the SPOC report. Chloroform released at 10 lbs/day. Perchloroethylene released at 100 lbs/day
79719 2005-06-10	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): chlorotrifluoroethylene - 100 pounds	Cause of Problem: Under Investigation Due to causes unknown at the time of the SPOC report, a relief valve on a distillation column lifted.	LABB's file only contains the SPOC report.
78603 2005-04-28	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): Chloroform - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure While loading chloroform from a rail car to the storage tank, chloroform was released from the storage tank conservation vent into the atmosphere. The relief valve opened because of excess nitrogen being introduced into the tank due to a non-working dip line in a rail car.	The refinery reviewed tank inspection process and replaced the relief valve on the chloroform storage tank vent condenser.
78511 2005-04-25	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): Hydrogen Flouride - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Human Factors A small block valve at the refinery's railcar unloading facility was knocked partially open, causing the release. While the operator was retracting the railcar access ramp, the ramp extension handle hit the block valve, knocking it partially open.	The on-site operator closed the valve. Less than 8.5 pounds of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride was released.
78118 2005-04-05	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): chlorotrifluoroethylene - 537 pounds	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure While loading chlorotrifluoroethylene (G-1113) from a storage tank to a ton cylinder, a release occurred to the process sump via stack drain line due to improper valve alignment.	The valve on the storage line was closed to stop any flow of chlorotrifluoroethylene (G-1113) to the cylinder. Plant personnel were evacuated until determination was made by the emergency response team that the area around the release was safe. The facility reviewed computer data for trends, operating procedures, training, opened up several lines for possible pluggage, replaced several remote operated valves to prevent any leakage, re-routed the ton cylinder loading system such that the material will be contained and returned to process for any misalignment of the valves, etc.
77932 2005-04-01	Point Source(s): Pollutant(s): chlorotrifluoroethylene - 837 pounds	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure While loading chlorotrifluoroethylene (G-1113) from a storage tank to a ton cylinder, the release occured to the process sump via stack drain line due to improper valve alignment.	The valve on the storage tank was closed to stop any flow of chlorotrifluoroethylene (G-113) to the cylinder. Plant personnel were evacuated until determination was made by the emergency response team that the area around the release was safe. As a result of this incident, Honeywell reviewed computer data for trends, operating procedures, training, opened up several lines for possible pluggage, replaced several remote operated valves to prevent any leakage, etc.
77594 2005-03-15	Point Source(s): Transfer hose Pollutant(s): Chloroform - 1,253 pounds	Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket An operator who was unloading a chloroform railcar notices a leaking hose. The leak had started between the hours of 3:15 am, when the unloading began, and 6:45 am, when the leak was stopped. The cause of the leak was a gasket failure on the transfer hose.	Prior to unloading the railcar, the operator checked the hoses and found no leaks. Once the leak was discovered, the chloroform transfer was terminated to stop the leakage from the hose. The facility's emergency response team isolated the leak and cleaned up the area. The waste material was placed in an approved DOT container. The facility stated in its letter that it plans to conduct a detailed analysis of the gasket, the unloading operation, and others.