Ongoing reports filed with the National Response Center since Oct. 2 say that the Delaware City refinery has been emitting 200 pounds of hydrogen cyanide a day because of equipment failure.
Since the refinery does not have permits to emit this much of the chemical, they have to file the reports, said Michael Gayda, a spokesman for PBF energy, the company that owns the refinery.
On Oct. 2, the first report submitted to the NRC said that the “CO Boiler on the FCC united blew a hole in the line causing a release of carbon sulfide and hydrogen cyanide into the air,” emitting only a trace amount of the chemicals.
In the most recent report Oct. 23, the unidentified caller told the NRC that a CO Boiler on the FCC unit blew a hole in the line causing a release of hydrogen cyanide and that the unit has been shut down for repair.
Gayda said that there is no “high level” risk and that they are working to have the problem fixed by the end of the month.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act says that refineries have to notify the NRC if they release hazardous substances in excess of reportable amounts.
The Delaware City refinery reopened Oct. 7 after being closed for nearly two years.
No damage or injuries have been reported to the NRC and the environmental impact is unknown.
The refinery is a high conversion heavy crude oil refinery, with capabilities of processing 190,000 barrels per day. It is located on 5,000 acres of land near the Delaware River.
