CPC's New Third Naphtha Cracker Compressor Trips, Causing Large Fire; EPA Fines Up to NT$5 Million
A compressor at CPC Corporation's New Third Naphtha Cracker plant in Linyuan District, Kaohsiung, tripped around 11 AM today, leading to a fire and black smoke. The Environmental Protection Bureau (EPA) announced a fine of NT$100,000 to NT$5 million for violating air pollution laws due to significant particulate matter emissions from the flare stack. The compressor has since restarted, and supply is unaffected, with the cause of the trip under investigation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 14:19
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 14:31 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:37 (3h 5m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 17th) A large fire occurred at CPC Corporation's New Third Naphtha Cracker plant in Linyuan District, Kaohsiung City, around 11 AM today. The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that an investigation revealed a refrigerant compressor in the plant had "tripped," and because exhaust gas needed to be processed through a flare stack, it led to significant particulate matter emissions. A fine of NT$100,000 to NT$5 million will be imposed according to law.
CPC's New Third Naphtha Cracker experienced a trip of its propylene compressor C-1501 today morning (meaning emergency shutdown of equipment). After the accident, the northern flare stack safety device was activated, and exhaust gas had to be burned through the flare stack, causing a large fire and black smoke. After emergency procedures, the compressor has restarted, and the brief equipment anomaly will not affect supply. The cause of the trip is still under investigation.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that its AI cloud monitoring system detected black smoke from the "CPC Linyuan Plant" flare stack at 11:28 AM. The investigation found that the refrigerant compressor in the naphtha cracking process had tripped, and process exhaust gas was directed to the flare stack for treatment, resulting in significant particulate matter emissions. A fine of NT$100,000 to NT$5 million will be imposed later in accordance with Article 32 of the Air Pollution Control Act.
Kaohsiung City Councilor Chiu Yu-hsuan of the KMT rushed to the scene to express concern. She stated that although the burning was due to the activation of a safety mechanism, local residents are still very worried, especially as the black smoke and vibrations caused considerable unease. She hopes CPC can provide a complete explanation of the incident. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150417
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(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 17th) A large fire occurred at CPC Corporation's New Third Naphtha Cracker plant in Linyuan District, Kaohsiung City, around 11 AM today. The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that an investigation revealed a refrigerant compressor in the plant had "tripped," and because exhaust gas needed to be processed through a flare stack, it led to significant particulate matter emissions. A fine of NT$100,000 to NT$5 million will be imposed according to law.
CPC's New Third Naphtha Cracker experienced a trip of its propylene compressor C-1501 today morning (meaning emergency shutdown of equipment). After the accident, the northern flare stack safety device was activated, and exhaust gas had to be burned through the flare stack, causing a large fire and black smoke. After emergency procedures, the compressor has restarted, and the brief equipment anomaly will not affect supply. The cause of the trip is still under investigation.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that its AI cloud monitoring system detected black smoke from the "CPC Linyuan Plant" flare stack at 11:28 AM. The investigation found that the refrigerant compressor in the naphtha cracking process had tripped, and process exhaust gas was directed to the flare stack for treatment, resulting in significant particulate matter emissions. A fine of NT$100,000 to NT$5 million will be imposed later in accordance with Article 32 of the Air Pollution Control Act.
Kaohsiung City Councilor Chiu Yu-hsuan of the KMT rushed to the scene to express concern. She stated that although the burning was due to the activation of a safety mechanism, local residents are still very worried, especially as the black smoke and vibrations caused considerable unease. She hopes CPC can provide a complete explanation of the incident. (Editor: Huang Ming-hsi) 1150417
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.