Document 4a0pmLJp1zg8am7Qo1m4QanvV

Tenneco Chemicalsr A IUt-nnhncY. jo Cormnpnanyv PO Pa'.a'Jcna loras 77001 (713; * 79 3411 December 12, 1978 (JWK-94-78) Texas Air Control Board 8520 Shoal Creek Blvd. Austin, Texas 78758 Gentlemen: Attached is the Rule 7 form required by your office. If you have any questions, please contact me at 713/479-3411, Ext. 427 Sincerely JWK/cjra Attachment cc: Mr. C. E. Farnurn - TACB (Region 7) Harris County Pollution Control Dept. City of Houston Dept, of Public Health, Air Pollution Control Program Mr. C. E. Crain Mr. C, S. Stutts Mr. R. L, Cnurchwell Mr. L. L. Bird TEN 1450 Inclusive Dates if for Shutdown and Start up ` Timeand Expected Deration of Excessive Em.'>':ons 11:00 p.m, 12/2/78 - 8;00 a.. 12/3/78 Reason or Cause: Explanation __ Maintenance See attached sheet Major Upset lave) of Emissions (cn>e basis fer ti'.rr.r.:): RuytietJ and Chemical Composition, Rare, Concentration, and Duration Approximately 1,100 lbs of VCM, which evaporated In the flare knockout drum anJ were burned over a nine hour period. Measure; (to be) Taken to Mir.uv.iae Quantity end Duration of omissions: The automatic pressure control valve closed when the pressure in the reactor dropped below'Its set point. Measures (to be) Taken to Inver.: Recurrence (If not determined yet, jive date when measures will be submitted) A' major investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the power failure and the reasons why the erergency backup power system did not function properly. Appropriate action will be taken on the basis of the findings of this investigation, ---------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------f-- Date, Tirv.cnd .Vtvns of NVtri.jth.n (l it, -, telephone, etc): Extculnc .t.rr.isiy _____________________ Regional C.i'.cc Docc~ihc r J^/S l_l:45_ p. m. telephone l.eca* h.>[rjivi_ _ _ _ _ _ 1>J e__________ ,/_T? ?_______________________ SMin-d TEN 1451 r REPORT FORM FOR NOTTFICAiION REQUIREMENTS r Explanation of Excessive Emissions: A power failure occurred in the PVC plant at 8:52 p.m. on December 2, 1978. Because some of the emergency backup power systems failed to function properly, the controls as well as an accurate monitoring of the PVC plant operating conditions were lost. As a result, it was necessary to inject polymerization terminator into one PVC reactor manually to stop the reaction when it began to develop high pressure and temperature. At about 11:00 p.m,-, the pressure in this reactor increased to the set point of an automatic pressure control valve, designed to prevent overpressuring of the reactor. This valve opened, releasing VCM to the flare system. It remained open for approximately ten minutes. TEN 1452