[StBernard] Valero Energy Corp.'s Meraux refinery had problem with its benzene unit, and residents report strong odors

[Westley Annis]

Valero Energy Corp.'s Meraux refinery had problem with its benzene unit, and
residents report strong odors

Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune By Benjamin
Alexander-Bloch, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 
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on April 21, 2014 at 11:45 AM, updated April 21, 2014 at 4:42 PM
 
After Chalmette and Meraux residents reported a loud sound on Monday morning
(April 21), Valero Energy Corp.'s Meraux refinery confirmed the sound
apparently came from a problem with a heater in its benzene unit. The
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality received reports about the
incident about 5 a.m. Monday, according to a DEQ spokeswoman.

Neighbors around the refinery reported a strong odor on Monday morning, with
some saying they also saw a "very large dusty-opaque cloud" coming from the
facility.

While some neighbors in Meraux and Chalmette reported hearing an explosion,
Valero spokesman Bill Day said on Monday morning that "there was no
explosion."

He said that the "cause of the incident is still under investigation."

"Officials at the refinery have used the word 'detonation' to describe the
incident under investigation at Meraux. That would refer to a contained
ignition of substances -- not an explosion," Day said. "Other than the
noise, there were no off-site impacts at the plant and no emission permit
exceedances."

DEQ spokeswoman Jean Kelly said the agency's responders received reports of
a "small backfire and some smoke," but that the issue with the benzene
recovery unit furnace "was immediately secured and there were no injuries."