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Shell Chemical East (26336), Norco

Releases of Black Smoke

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
138080

2012-03-18		Utility Boiler #10
Cause: A resident of the Norco community called and reported to the Shell East Site Supervisor that smoke was sighted in the air above the refinery and inquired as to the seriousness of the issue. Shell was aware of the upset of Utility Boiler #10. Operations personnel were in the process of shutting down the pyrolysis pitch system due to a failed transmitter.

Followup: No

Notes: Upset of Utility Boiler #10 and black smoke sighting was called and reported to Shell East Site and Shell East Site Supervisor. Shell attempted to put this incident in Shell Chemical LP-Norco Chemical Plant-West site. Smoke caused by their process of putting pyro pitch in boiler. For unknown reason it started the black smoke. When pitch was removed, smoke ceased. There were no materials released from the incident above a reportable quantity and no permit limits were exceeded.The initial report states the material did go offsite.