Motiva's Port Arthur, TX, Chemicals Plant Reports Flaring


   
   HOUSTON, TX (DTN) -- Motiva Enterprises reported an initial air emission 
event following a process unit upset at its Port Arthur Chemicals facility, 
according to a filing to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

   The upset began at approximately 7:30 a.m. on March 3 at the facility's 
Light Olefins Unit (LOU). The event resulted in continuous flaring through the 
LOU Flare emission point for a duration of 24 hours, concluding at 7:30 a.m. on 
March 4. The petrochemical plant produces nearly 1 million metric tons of 
ethylene per year.

   A total of 15 air contaminants were released during the event. The largest 
estimated quantities included carbon monoxide (3,000 lbs), ethylene (2,600 
lbs), propylene (575 lbs), benzene (425 lbs), and nitrogen oxide (400 lbs). 
Additional compounds released included propane, 1,3-butadiene, isobutylene, 
toluene, butane, nitrogen dioxide, butylene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and 
isobutane. All emissions exceeded their permitted limits of zero pounds.

   Motiva Enterprises operates the Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex, one of 
the largest refining and petrochemical complexes in the United States. The 
incident remains under review by TCEQ.

    




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