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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #150814
State Police #13-03893
Accident Date2013-09-03
Report Date 2013-10-22
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: 

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Benzene14h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NONOYES0.9 pounds
Carbon Monoxide14h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NOYESNO4,057.1 pounds
Hexane14h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NONONO13.4 pounds
NOx14h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NONOYES745.6 pounds
Particulate Matter 1014h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NOYESNO140.4 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide14h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NOYESNO252.8 pounds
Toluene14h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NONONOBRQ
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)14h 9m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (FE-301)NONOYES1,964.5 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Instrument Failure

On September 3, 2013, the first and second stages of Motiva's Hydrocracker Unit (HCU) shut down. The shutdown was caused by an instrumentation failure that controlled the lube/seal oil system for the HCU recycle compressors. On September 6, 2013, the Hydrocracker unit began startup operations.

Discharge Preventable - No

The instrument was within its expected lifespan, the failure could not have been anticipated.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Immediately after the unit was shut down and secured, maintenance and engineering immediately investigated and identified the instrumentation failure. The instrumentation and engineering groups are developing an inspection list for the next planned unit shutdown to look for deficiencies in the unit instrument systems. No reportable quantities were exceeded; however the permitted maximum hourly emission rate limit was exceeded for Benzene and Sulfur Dioixide.