EPA v. Delek Refining

Case summary

The H2S in refinery fuel gas produced by numerous refining processes, including the fluid I catalytic cracking unit ( rCCD ), are typically removed by an a mine unit and converted to sulfur in the Tyler refinery Claus sumk recovery unit ( SRD ). The Tyler refinery SRD is permitted to make 19.4 tons of sulfur daily,which is at its production limit. On July 1, 2005 a lightening strike during a severe storm caused a complete power outage in the areas surrounding the Tyler refinery for several hours, necessitating a cold shutdown of all units. One result of the outage as damage to the SRU catalyst bed, increasing pressure drop through the unit Administrative Compliance order Issued to Delek Refining, Ltd., Tyler Refining and therefore reducing the amount of H2S-containing gas the unit is able to process. The Tyler refinery SRU is currently capable of processing only about 16 tons of sulfur per day, consequently also reducing gasoline production. To produce approximately 100,000 gallons more gasoline daily, which maximizes the equipment capability of the Tyler refinery, excess H2S that can not be processed by the currently constrained SRU must be flared. Delek estimates that approximately 125 pounds per hour of excess H2S is being flared, proaucing approximately 250 pounds per hour of excess sulfur dioxide ( S02 ) emissions. Flaring refinery fuel gas with an H2S concentration of greater than 162 ppm is a violation of the facility's Subpart A and Subpart J requirements.

Defendants (1)

• Delek Refining, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• DELEK REFINING

  425 MCMURREY DRIVE, TYLER, TX, 75702

  Registry ID: 110000458488

Statutes cited

• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Delek Refiningentered 2005-10-02

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2005-10-02Final Order Issued
• 2005-11-08Enforcement Action Closed
• 2005-11-08Compliance Achieved
• 2006-04-26Enforcement Action Data Entered