Shell Cracker Still Working Through Problems During Break-In Period

It hasn't been a problem-free startup for the mighty Shell ethane cracker plant in Monaca (Beaver County), PA, now called the Shell Polymers Monaca facility. We've noted some of the more prominent issues as we've spotted them in the news. Things like the plant exceeding allowed air emissions (see PA DEP Issues Violation to Shell Cracker for Exceeding Air Emissions) and flaring at the plant causing the sky to turn orange at night (see Shell Cracker Plant has Flaring Episode – Skyline Turns Orange). Little did we know, but there were over 40 "malfunctions" last year that Shell was required to report to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP). What we also didn't know is that 40 such episodes during startup are typical for a big plant like the Shell Polymers Monaca.

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