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Honeywell (289, 183605), Baton Rouge

Releases of Hydrofluoric Acid

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
114939

2009-05-13		spent Sulfuric Acid Tank
Cause: An internal chemical reaction occured due to a nitrogen purge being cut off to the tank. The nitrogen purge is utilized for level indication. It is believed that G-1113 reacted with Oxygen to build up in the tank causing an internal chemical reaction leading to the release of HCL, HF, and Oxalic Acid.

Followup: No

Notes: The area around the tank was barricaded and the #7 mitigation tower was activated as a precautionary measure to reduce the tank temperature. Black smoke was being released from the spent sulfuric acid pump down tank.		4.0 pounds
123119

2010-04-29		piping
Cause: The plant experienced a pipe leak in the OMNI 143A unit. The pipe integrity had been compromised during certain operating conditions of the unit that occur on an infrequent basis. These operating conditions are called catalyst burn downs. The pipe leak most likely developed during previous catalyst burn downs.

Followup: No

Notes: The unit was immediately shutdown to stop the leak. Water was also applied to the leak in order to minimize the emissions. The entire segment of the pipe that the leak occurred on was replaced with Teflon lined pipe in order to improve the integrity and prevent any future incidents.		2.2 pounds
121458

2010-02-11		Liquid line off of the HF storage tank
line off of the HF storage tank
Cause: Liquid line off of the HF storage tank leaked from a flange.

Followup: No

Notes: The line was drained to the HF scrubber for discharge into the plant's effluent treatment system. Pulled the liquid to scrubber and it was overloaded. Once in the process wastewater line the HR reacted with caustic causing G-113 to be released to atmosphere.		3.8 pounds
139709

2012-05-14		113 unit
Cause: The release was the result of a fugitive gasket leak at the man way to the HF recycle Hold Tank in the 113 unit (Trichlorofluoroethane unit). The unit was in the process of startup and the hold tank was empty and had just started to receive flow.

Followup: No

Notes: The flow was blocked in, the unit was shutdown, and the insulation was removed. The gasket was replaced and the flange bolts retightened. No further leak upon restart of the unit. Citizen complaints were reporting an odor described as sulfur or burnt match odor.		0.5 pounds