EcoElictrica LNG Import Terminal and Cogeneration - Executive Summary |
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Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Policies It is EcoElictrica's policy to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, and to protect the environment in which we live and work, human health, wildlife, and natural resources. EcoElictrica employees must conduct Company operations in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Environmental laws either prohibit or severely restrict the release of pollutants to the air, land, surface water, and groundwater. The Company is committed to the environmental protection, and it expects employees to abide by letter and the spirit of these laws. Facility Description and Regulated Sustances Handled EcoElictrica, L. P. owns and will operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine unloading and storage terminal and a 507 MW combined cycle power plant. The EcoElictrica facility is located in the Municipality of Pequelas, Puerto Rico. It will provide additional electric power to the Puerto Rico Elec tric Power Authority (PREPA). Other facility processes are a closed cooling water system, a demineralization plant to produce water for steam production and boiler water for the Costa Sur Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority; and a remineralization plant to produce potable water for the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA). The LNG stored at the terminal will be vaporized to form natural gas which will be combusted in the power plant combustion turbines. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will be an alternate fuel, and low sulfur No. 2 distillate oil will serve as emergency backup fuel, in the event that LNG or LPG are not available. The power plant consists of a combined cycle generating module which includes two combustion turbines/generators exhausting into separate heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs). The HRSGs produce steam that will be routed to a steam turbine /generator and to a desalination plant capable of producing fresh water from sea water. Ammonia is s tored at the facility in a 15,000 gallon tank. A maximum of 75,158 pounds of ammonia will be stored at the facility at any given time. Chlorine is stored at the facility in 1-ton containers. EcoElictrica has the capacity to store 13 1-ton containers of chlorine. EcoElictrica will use anhydrous ammonia for the control of NOx emissions generated during combustion processes. Ammonia will be stored within the EcoElictrica premises. For the potable water system, EcoElictrica will use and store chlorine onsite. EcoElictrica has the capacity to store chlorine and ammonia (anhydrous) over the RMP threshold quantities (2,500 lb and 10,000lb respectively). Worst-Case and Alternative Release Scenarios for Ammonia The "worst-case release scenario" for anhydrous ammonia is assumed to be the release of the entire contents of the 15,000 gallon storage tank, over a period of ten (10) minutes, due to a tank rupture. The analysis for anhydrous ammonia was made taking into consideration the t opography, which was determined to be rural and any passive mitigation, such as dikes or enclosures. The "alternative release scenario" for anhydrous ammonia is assumed to be the release of anhydrous ammonia through a safety valve that due to overpressure of the 2 inch internal diameter pipe used to fill the anhydrous ammonia container, releases anhydrous ammonia for a period of 10 minutes, over rural topography. Worst-Case and Alternative Release Scenarios for Chlorine The "worst-case release scenario" for chlorine is assumed to be the release of the entire contents of one container, over a period of ten (10) minutes, due to a container rupture. The analysis for chlorine was made taking into consideration the topography, which was determined to be rural and lack of any passive mitigation, such as dikes or enclosures. The "alternative release scenario" for chlorine is assumed to be the a leaking 3/8 inch internal diameter flexible connection tubing used to connect the chlorin e container to the chlorine piping system. General Accidental Release Prevention Program and Chemical Specific Prevention Steps The ammonia and chlorine systems are currently in the process of installation and comissioning. Due to the actual conditions of the facility, the information required on sections 7.4c and 7.7-7.15 of the Risk Management Plan (RMP) are based on a HAZOP study. At this stage, the general EcoElictrica accidental release prevention program is based on the following key elements: - High level of training of the operators. - Preventive maintenance program. - Use of state of the art process and safety equipment. - Use of the accurate and effective operating procedures that are being written with the participation of the operators. - Performance of hazard review of equipment and procedures. - Implementation of an auditing and inspection program. The chemical specific prevention steps include availability of personal protective equipment and self contained breath ing apparatus (SCBA) to be worn by the operators and awareness of the hazardous characteristics and properties of both subject chemicals. Five-year Accident History EcoElictrica is a new facility. Therefore no accident history is available for the chlorine or ammonia processes. Emergency Response Program The EcoElictrica facility is included in the community emergency response plan prepared by the local emergency planning committe under 303 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (LEPC 5 - Environmental Quality Board -Ponce). EcoElictrica will rely on the local emergency response agencies for responding to a release of one the regulated substances. It has prepared an Emergency Response Plan as per Rule 107 (C) of the Regulation for the Control of Atmospheric Pollution (RCAP) and a Contingency Plan which include the following tasks. 1. Recognize the existence of an emergency condition. 2. Notify appropriate plant personnel and off-site authorities of the ex istence of an emergency condition. 3. Take corrective actions to alleviate the severity of the emergency. 4. Request additional support as deemed necessary. 5. Establish and maintain effective communications within the Plant and with off-site response groups. 6. Continuously assess the status of the emergency situation and communicate that status to the appropriate groups and agencies. 7. Provide timely and accurate information to the public through the media in conjunction with local officials, if required. 8. Take protective measures on-site for employees and property. 9. Notify appropriate Plant personnel and off-site authorities of the return to normal conditions. |