LA Bucket Brigade : Refinery Accident Database

About the Database

Formosa Plastics (288), Baton Rouge

Releases in 2006

LDEQ Accident Number Accident Date	Point Source/Release	Cause	Notes
92870 2006-12-22	Point Source(s): NE301C exchanger Pollutant(s): 1,2-Dichloroethane-D4 - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing EDC leak from NE301C exchanger. The process water goes to a cooling tower where it is vaporized into the air.	There were no readings from the fence line monitoring. According to the notification, the release was associated with a permitted emission source and therefore, "not reportable". No end date or completion of repairs was projected or estimated.
92822 2006-12-22	Point Source(s): Column reboiler in Unit NE 205B Pollutant(s): Ethylene dichloride - 0 Vinyl Chloride - 0	Cause of Problem: Weather There was a power failure and the plant went down due to rain cooling down the equipment. A leak was found on the head of the HCL column reboiler in Unit NE 205B.	At the time of the SPOC report, maintenance was preparing to tighten up the bottom of the reboiler. Amount of Ethylene dichloride and Vinyl chloride released is unknown.
92495 2006-12-08	Point Source(s): Valve on Vinyl Chloride Monomer Unit Pollutant(s): Ethylene - BRQ Hydrogen Chloride - BRQ 1,2-Dichloroethane-D4 - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket There was a gasket leak in the Vinyl Chloride Monomer unit. Ethylene dichloride, hydrogen chloride, and ethylene.	A clamp was placed on the leak and an emergency team was sent to secure the leak. Fence line monitoring showed no detectable readings.
92238 2006-11-27	Point Source(s): NC 201 stripper column Pollutant(s): Ethylene dichloride - 0 Vinyl Chloride - 0	Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing There was a 1/8 in. pinhole leak on the NC 201 stripper column, which released the two chemicals to the air.	The refinery blocked the leaking section of piping and isolated the column to stop the release. The SPOC report states that the refinery expected to exceed RQ for vinyl chloride, and possibly also exceeded RQ for ethylene dichloride. LABB's file only contains the SPOC report and no other documents.
91408 2006-10-16	Point Source(s): 12-inch flange Pollutant(s): Ethylene dichloride - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket A bad gasket caused a leak from a 12-inch flange.	The equipment was valved out to stop the leak. The chemical was contained in a dike area and recovered. Amount of Ethylene Dichloride released is unknown. The release was below the reportable quantity of 100 pounds per 24 hours.
91285 2006-10-06	Point Source(s): None Reported Pollutant(s):	Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures A contractor was cutting down a column with a torch. Inside of the column, the packing began to smolder.	At the time the call was made, the column was being flooded with water.
90774 2006-09-21	Point Source(s): One-inch flange Pollutant(s): Ethylene dichloride - 0	Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket The refinery reported a small release from a one-inch flange because of a gasket or flange leak.	At the time of the SPOC report, the refinery planned to depressurize the furnace and take the equipment out of service. This was estimated to take about 10 minutes. The release was sprayed with water so the vapors were knocked to the ground. Amount of ethylene dichloride released is unknown.
89083 2006-07-06	Point Source(s): Six-inch line leading to the C Furnace. Pollutant(s): Vinyl Chloride - 0 Ethylene dichloride - 0	Cause of Problem: Piping or Tubing There was a pinhole leak on the six-inch line leading to the C Furnace.	The SPOC report states that the refinery planned to shut down the furnace and isolate the line. LABB's file contains only the SPOC report and no other documents. Amount of chemical released is unknown.
87511 2006-04-29	Point Source(s): NC204 Pollutant(s): Vinyl Chloride - 0	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure There was a ruptured disc tattle tale on NC204.	The relief valve was isolated. Amount released is unknown but believed to be less than one pound. LABB file only contains State Police report--no LDEQ report.
86724 2006-03-24	Point Source(s): Reactor shell on NR301C Pollutant(s): Ethylene dichloride - BRQ	Cause of Problem: Equipment Failure Hole in the reactor shell on NR301C.	Shut down shell NR301C and secured it. Amount of ethylene dichloride released is unknown.
85732 2006-02-09	Point Source(s): No information given Pollutant(s): Sodium Hydroxide - 0 Ethylene dichloride - 0 Vinyl Chloride - 0	Cause of Problem: Maintenance/Procedures A sump located in the northwest quadrant of the concrete-lined tank farm containment area was cleaned out during sump pump replacement. A clear liquid containing sodium hydroxide, ethylene dichloride, and vinyl chloride accumulated in the sump after cleanout.	The facility initiated a corrective action plan to pump out and neutralize sump contents. The liquid was sampled and found to contain 1.3% sodium hydroxide, 1.95 ppm ethylene dichloride and 1.9 ppm vinyl chloride. Investigation included activities to de-inventory a nearby casutic storage tank, T-83A for inspection.