Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
HL incident on 2016-08-05 — TX
Operator
Intercontinental Terminal Company, Llc
Cause
Other Accident Cause
Commodity
Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions
Program
HL
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$10,000
Incident datetime
2016-08-05 16:30
Report number
Location
TX
Narrative
At 16:30 an act associate was gauging off chem grade propylene pressure vessels when he heard a noise on top of v-204. The lead operator was immediately informed via radio. The lead operator and act associate met on top of v-204 to investigate further and identified a leaking safety valve. The valve was isolated and the leak stopped at 16:35. It was difficult to interpret the root cause of the event due to a number of variables that impact the pressure on v-204. The main method of root cause investigation was through elimination. Vessel temperature is hand recorded once per day by reading a local temperature gauge plus is recorded any time a transfer into or out of the vessel is recorded. Tank gauged levels are also recorded at this time. There is no correlation between maximum pressure on august 5 and the maximum tank temperature during the 24 hour period of august 5. Pipeline pressure operates significantly higher than the 150-250 psig of the chem grade propylene bullets. While there was a small spike in the pipeline pressure at the time of the initial release (≅1220 psig vs. 1200) it was probably not the cause of the increased bullet pressure. There were other times when the pipeline pressure went up to 1220 psig with no increase in bullet pressure. C2/lights contamination in the chem grade propylene pipeline was actually running lower than normal and much lower than the specification of 1000ppm. Lights were not a contributing factor to the overpressure of the pressure of v-204. V204 liquid level was at the upper end of normal working range limits. There were other times before and after the pressure excursion where the vessel level was high but did not overpressure. The high level may have been a contributing factor assuming the root cause was non-condensables (such as nitrogen) in the vessel and there was less available space for an abnormal inert in the system causing an increased pressure. Conclusion: the root cause of increased pressure in v-204 to cause the rupture disc/jpv-3400 to open was inerts/non-condensables coming in through the chem grade propylene pipeline. Added 2/2/17 per rupture disc analysis, rupture disc opened due to overpressure as it was designed to operate. New, replacement rupture discs for all propylene bullets are on site, awaiting opportunity to schedule installation. Final update to accident report by tina murrell, itc
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2016-09-02 00:00:00
Iyear
2016
Report Number
20160277
Supplemental Number
31502
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
32428
Name
Intercontinental Terminal Company, Llc
Operator Street Address
1943 Battleground Road
Operator City Name
Deer Park
Operator State Abbreviation
TX
Operator Postal Code
77536
Local Datetime
2016-08-05 16:30:00
Location Latitude
30.483056
Location Longitude
-91.20275
Commodity Released Type
Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions
Commodity Subtype
Other Hvl
Commodity Details
Propylene, Chemical Grade
Unintentional Release Bbls
0.18
Intentional Release Bbls
0
Recovered Bbls
0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Incident Identified Datetime
2016-08-05 16:30:00
System Part Involved
Onshore Breakout Tank Or Storage Vessel, Including Attached Appurtenances
On Off Shore
Onshore
Shutdown Due Accident Ind
No
Shutdown Explain
The Release Went Directly To Atmosphere And Was Stopped
On Site Datetime
2016-08-05 16:35:00
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2016-08-05 17:21:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1155472
Ignite Ind
No
Explode Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
0
Pipe Fac Name
Anchorage Chemicals Terminal
Segment Name
V-204
Onshore State Abbreviation
La
Onshore Postal Code
70767
Onshore City Name
Port Allen
Onshore County Name
West Baton Rouge
Designated Location
Milepost/valve Station
Designated Name
Terminal
Federal
No
Location Type
Totally Contained On Operator-Controlled Property
Incident Area Type
Tank, Including Attached Appurtenances
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Intrastate
Item Involved
Valve
Valve Type
Relief Valve
Tank Type
Pressurized
Installation Year
2015
Material Involved
Carbon Steel
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
Accidental Overpressure
Wildlife Impact Ind
No
Soil Contamination
No
Long Term Assessment
No
Remediation Ind
No
Water Contam Ind
No
Could Be Hca
Yes
Commodity Reached Hca
Yes
Commercially Nav Ind
Yes
Commercially Nav Yes No
Yes
High Pop Ind
Yes
High Pop Yes No
Yes
Other Pop Ind
Yes
Other Pop Yes No
Yes
Usa Drinking Ind
Yes
Usa Drinking Yes No
Yes
Usa Ecological Ind
Yes
Usa Ecological Yes No
Yes
Est Cost Oper Paid
0
Est Cost Gas Released
10
Est Cost Prop Damage
10000
Est Cost Emergency
0
Est Cost Environmental
0
Est Cost Other
1000
Est Cost Other Details
Rupture Disc Analysis To Assist In Undertaking The Root Cause Analysis
Prpty
11010
Accident Psig
268
Mop Psig
300
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop
Pressure Restriction Ind
No
Pipeline Function
< 20% Smys Regulated Transmission
Scada In Place Ind
No
Cpm In Place Ind
No
Investigation Status
Yes, specify investigation result(s): (select all that apply)
Invest Incorrect Control Ind
Yes
Invest Other Ind
Yes
Invest Other Ind Details
The High Pressure Alarm Set Point Was Set Too High And Did Not Come Into Alarm Condition, Even Though The Rupture Disc/ Psv Relieved. The Alarm Set Point Is Being Reworked To Allow The Controller To Respond To Upset Conditions.
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Other Accident Cause
Cause Details
Miscellaneous
Other Type
Miscellaneous
Misc Details
Inerts/ Non-Compressible Gasses Received Into V-204 Allowed Overpressure Of The Vessel.
Preparer Name
T*** M******
Preparer Title
Environmental Coordinator
Preparer Email
T*************@e*********.com
Preparer Telephone
225-389-0170
Preparer Fax
225-383-1386
Prepared Date
2019-01-17 00:00:00
Authorizer Name
C*** H*****
Authorizer Telephone
281-884-0350
Authorizer Title
Vice President Of Safety Health Environmental Secu
Authorizer Email
C******@i****.com
Narrative
At 16:30 an act associate was gauging off chem grade propylene pressure vessels when he heard a noise on top of v-204. The lead operator was immediately informed via radio. The lead operator and act associate met on top of v-204 to investigate further and identified a leaking safety valve. The valve was isolated and the leak stopped at 16:35. It was difficult to interpret the root cause of the event due to a number of variables that impact the pressure on v-204. The main method of root cause investigation was through elimination. Vessel temperature is hand recorded once per day by reading a local temperature gauge plus is recorded any time a transfer into or out of the vessel is recorded. Tank gauged levels are also recorded at this time. There is no correlation between maximum pressure on august 5 and the maximum tank temperature during the 24 hour period of august 5. Pipeline pressure operates significantly higher than the 150-250 psig of the chem grade propylene bullets. While there was a small spike in the pipeline pressure at the time of the initial release (≅1220 psig vs. 1200) it was probably not the cause of the increased bullet pressure. There were other times when the pipeline pressure went up to 1220 psig with no increase in bullet pressure. C2/lights contamination in the chem grade propylene pipeline was actually running lower than normal and much lower than the specification of 1000ppm. Lights were not a contributing factor to the overpressure of the pressure of v-204. V204 liquid level was at the upper end of normal working range limits. There were other times before and after the pressure excursion where the vessel level was high but did not overpressure. The high level may have been a contributing factor assuming the root cause was non-condensables (such as nitrogen) in the vessel and there was less available space for an abnormal inert in the system causing an increased pressure. Conclusion: the root cause of increased pressure in v-204 to cause the rupture disc/jpv-3400 to open was inerts/non-condensables coming in through the chem grade propylene pipeline. Added 2/2/17 per rupture disc analysis, rupture disc opened due to overpressure as it was designed to operate. New, replacement rupture discs for all propylene bullets are on site, awaiting opportunity to schedule installation. Final update to accident report by tina murrell, itc
| Report Received Date | 2016-09-02 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2016 |
| Report Number | 20160277 |
| Supplemental Number | 31502 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 32428 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Intercontinental Terminal Company, Llc |
| Operator Street Address | 1943 Battleground Road |
| Operator City Name | Deer Park |
| Operator State Abbreviation | TX |
| Operator Postal Code | 77536 |
| Local Datetime | 2016-08-05 16:30:00 |
| Location Latitude | 30.483056 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -91.20275 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Commodity Released Type | Hvl Or Other Flammable Or Toxic Fluid Which Is A Gas At Ambient Conditions |
| Commodity Subtype | Other Hvl |
| Commodity Details | Propylene, Chemical Grade |
| Unintentional Release Bbls | 0.18 |
| Intentional Release Bbls | 0 |
| Recovered Bbls | 0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Accident Identifier | Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors |
| Operator Type | Operator Employee |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2016-08-05 16:30:00 |
| System Part Involved | Onshore Breakout Tank Or Storage Vessel, Including Attached Appurtenances |
| On Off Shore | Onshore |
| Shutdown Due Accident Ind | No |
| Shutdown Explain | The Release Went Directly To Atmosphere And Was Stopped |
| On Site Datetime | 2016-08-05 16:35:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2016-08-05 17:21:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1155472 NRC Report How to search |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0 |
| Pipe Fac Name | Anchorage Chemicals Terminal |
| Segment Name | V-204 |
| Onshore State Abbreviation | La |
| Onshore Postal Code | 70767 |
| Onshore City Name | Port Allen |
| Onshore County Name | West Baton Rouge |
| Designated Location | Milepost/valve Station |
| Designated Name | Terminal |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Totally Contained On Operator-Controlled Property |
| Incident Area Type | Tank, Including Attached Appurtenances |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Intrastate |
| Item Involved | Valve |
| Valve Type | Relief Valve |
| Tank Type | Pressurized |
| Installation Year | 2015 |
| Material Involved | Carbon Steel |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | Accidental Overpressure |
| Wildlife Impact Ind | No |
| Soil Contamination | No |
| Long Term Assessment | No |
| Remediation Ind | No |
| Water Contam Ind | No |
| Could Be Hca | Yes |
| Commodity Reached Hca | Yes |
| Commercially Nav Ind | Yes |
| Commercially Nav Yes No | Yes |
| High Pop Ind | Yes |
| High Pop Yes No | Yes |
| Other Pop Ind | Yes |
| Other Pop Yes No | Yes |
| Usa Drinking Ind | Yes |
| Usa Drinking Yes No | Yes |
| Usa Ecological Ind | Yes |
| Usa Ecological Yes No | Yes |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0 |
| Est Cost Gas Released | 10 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 10000 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 0 |
| Est Cost Environmental | 0 |
| Est Cost Other | 1000 |
| Est Cost Other Details | Rupture Disc Analysis To Assist In Undertaking The Root Cause Analysis |
| Prpty | 11010 |
| Accident Psig | 268 |
| Mop Psig | 300 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Mop |
| Pressure Restriction Ind | No |
| Pipeline Function | < 20% Smys Regulated Transmission |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Cpm In Place Ind | No |
| Investigation Status | Yes, specify investigation result(s): (select all that apply) |
| Invest Incorrect Control Ind | Yes |
| Invest Other Ind | Yes |
| Invest Other Ind Details | The High Pressure Alarm Set Point Was Set Too High And Did Not Come Into Alarm Condition, Even Though The Rupture Disc/ Psv Relieved. The Alarm Set Point Is Being Reworked To Allow The Controller To Respond To Upset Conditions. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Other Accident Cause |
| Cause Details | Miscellaneous |
| Other Type | Miscellaneous |
| Misc Details | Inerts/ Non-Compressible Gasses Received Into V-204 Allowed Overpressure Of The Vessel. |
| Preparer Name | T*** M****** |
| Preparer Title | Environmental Coordinator |
| Preparer Email | T*************@e*********.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 225-389-0170 |
| Preparer Fax | 225-383-1386 |
| Prepared Date | 2019-01-17 00:00:00 |
| Authorizer Name | C*** H***** |
| Authorizer Telephone | 281-884-0350 |
| Authorizer Title | Vice President Of Safety Health Environmental Secu |
| Authorizer Email | C******@i****.com |
| Narrative | At 16:30 an act associate was gauging off chem grade propylene pressure vessels when he heard a noise on top of v-204. The lead operator was immediately informed via radio. The lead operator and act associate met on top of v-204 to investigate further and identified a leaking safety valve. The valve was isolated and the leak stopped at 16:35. It was difficult to interpret the root cause of the event due to a number of variables that impact the pressure on v-204. The main method of root cause investigation was through elimination. Vessel temperature is hand recorded once per day by reading a local temperature gauge plus is recorded any time a transfer into or out of the vessel is recorded. Tank gauged levels are also recorded at this time. There is no correlation between maximum pressure on august 5 and the maximum tank temperature during the 24 hour period of august 5. Pipeline pressure operates significantly higher than the 150-250 psig of the chem grade propylene bullets. While there was a small spike in the pipeline pressure at the time of the initial release (≅1220 psig vs. 1200) it was probably not the cause of the increased bullet pressure. There were other times when the pipeline pressure went up to 1220 psig with no increase in bullet pressure. C2/lights contamination in the chem grade propylene pipeline was actually running lower than normal and much lower than the specification of 1000ppm. Lights were not a contributing factor to the overpressure of the pressure of v-204. V204 liquid level was at the upper end of normal working range limits. There were other times before and after the pressure excursion where the vessel level was high but did not overpressure. The high level may have been a contributing factor assuming the root cause was non-condensables (such as nitrogen) in the vessel and there was less available space for an abnormal inert in the system causing an increased pressure. Conclusion: the root cause of increased pressure in v-204 to cause the rupture disc/jpv-3400 to open was inerts/non-condensables coming in through the chem grade propylene pipeline. Added 2/2/17 per rupture disc analysis, rupture disc opened due to overpressure as it was designed to operate. New, replacement rupture discs for all propylene bullets are on site, awaiting opportunity to schedule installation. Final update to accident report by tina murrell, itc |
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