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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #154425
State Police #14-01123
Accident Date2014-03-12
Report Date 2014-03-19
Follow-up Date 2014-04-29
Follow-up: Yes

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Carbon Monoxide17d 1h 45m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (Fe-301)NOYESNO6,874.6 pounds
Nitrogen Oxide17d 1h 45m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (Fe-301)NOYESYES1,263.4 pounds
Particulate Matter17d 1h 45m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (Fe-301)NOYESNO237.8 pounds
Sulfur Dioxide17d 1h 45m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (Fe-301)NOYESNO34.0 pounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)17d 1h 45m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (Fe-301)NONOYES3,337.3 pounds
Hexane17d 1h 45m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (Fe-301)NONONO11.9 pounds
Benzene17d 1h 45m4-84 Hydrocracker Flare (Fe-301)NONOYES0.6 pounds

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Seal or Gasket

On 3/12/2014 Motiva's Hydrocracking Unit (HCU) flared process gas at the HCU Elevated Flare (FE 301) due to the partial shutdown of the HCU. An unexpected seal leak was discovered on the charge pump on the second stage of the HCU. Due to the location of the leak, the unit had to partially shut down to complete repairs. Flaring continued intermittently to stabilize the remaining operating equipment. On 3/29/14 the Hydrocracker Unit began a startup of the unit. Flaring ceased once the charge pump was repaired and the unit restarted. Emitted 0.32 pounds more of Benzene than permitted for.

Discharge Preventable - No

The seal failure could not have been anticipated.

Notes/Remedial Actions

Immediately after the unit was safely shut down, the problem was investigated and identified. To prevent the reoccurrence of the incident, a new seal was installed on 3/24/14. The seal oil system was checked prior to start up for deficiencies and none were found.