Chalmette Refinery

04-12-05

Date & Time Incident Started: 4/11/05 12:10:00 PMIncident Description: During inspection of K-2308 H2 make up compressor it was discovered that a bolt resting on the 4th stage suction piping had worn a hole in the pipe and caused the release of make up hydrogen. The compressor was taken off line the depressured.

ICAR

1/4” stainless steel screw and nut. Designed for strength and corrosion resistance

Side view of schedule 160 pipe. Designed to withstand high pressure

The screw and nut mounted a temp gauge to a stainless steel plate.

The gauge was mounted at this height. Higher than this photo

depicts.

Back of plate was not obvious from the walk way. So, it was

not visible to operators making their rounds

Gauge

The screw and nut were touching the pipe at this height

The screw and nut

Gauge

It appears that the inner wall of the sch. 160 pipe may have just been penetrated and began leaking Hydrogen because of

the rubbing action of the screw and nut

The nut actually fit inside of the hole

Nut & washer

Screw

Wall of pipe

Mounting bracket

Point of contact

Close up of screw and nut that cut through the pipe

Section of pipe removed for repair.

Bracket hanging from thermo coupling wire

Section of pipe removed for repair.

Location of hole

Two mechanics from Dressor Rand happened to hear the leak when they were working the

compressor and contacted our operators. The operators responded immediately and safely

shut the compressor down

Gerald Labarrere, stillperson of the HC unit, thanks Ronald Ratcliff and Mark Majorie, of Dressor Rand, for catching and reporting the leak

On behalf of the JH&SC, Mike Fandal, ExxonMobil execution supervisor, presents Mark and Ronald Ratcliff, with a Safety award

It’s hard to believe that a 1/4” screw......

in just the right position, could cause such a potential situation.

Hydrogen Release Potential ?

Is there any equipment in your area that might be vibrating and touching other equipment?

Is there any equipment in your area that might be vibrating and touching other equipment?R.Evans JH&SC