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Phillips 66 (2418), Belle Chasse
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 134825 |
| State Police # | 11-06645 |
| Accident Date | 2011-10-24 |
| Report Date | 2011-10-31 |
| Follow-up Date | 0000-00-00 |
| Follow-up: | No |
Pollutants Released
| Pollutant | Duration | Point Source | Greenhouse Gas | Criteria Pollutant | Ozone forming chemical | Amount of Release |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 14 m | Low Pressure Flare (308F-D-1) | NO | YES | NO | 281.0 pounds |
Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)
Cause of Problem: Process Upset
The Control Board Operator received a high temperature seal oil alarm from the Fluidized Catalytic (FCC) 1291-K-2 Compressor equipment. Operators were instructed to back flush the seal oil coolers to remove any foulant material which may have accumulated and contributed to seal oil system's high temperature. During the back flushing procedure the seal oil operating differential pressure increased due to the increased viscosity of the cooler oil. Unexpectedly the seal oil's differential pressure began to rapidly decrease below the trip pressure of the compressor causing it to trip off-line. When the 1291-K-2 compressor trips off-line, the FCC fractionator overhead flare valve opens and relieves its gases to the Low Pressure Valve (308F-D-1) until the compressor can be started.
Discharge Preventable - No Information Given
Investigation of the compressor trip indicated that a pressure regulator in the seal oil system malfunctioned causing the rapid decrease of pressure in the seal oil system.
Notes/Remedial Actions
The compressor was restarted shortly after the pressure alarm was cleared and proper differential pressures were reestablished within the compressor's seal oil system. The failed pressure regulator was replaced to minimize repeating another compressor trip due to erratic pressure readings.
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