Autonomous Real-Time VOC Analyzer & Passive Fenceline Tubes – Data Comparison of New Technology to Method 325
Description
In accordance with Method 325, passive sorbent tubes are currently deployed and continuously sampling at refineries across the US & Canada. The method is also applied in a number of new applications including the Proposed Organic Liquids Distribution (OLD) rule, Consent Decrees, State Enforcement & Community Monitoring. With the popularity Method 325 is gaining, and the need to investigate elevated readings, there is a growing demand for real-time data. Camsco conducted a study comparing data generated from one of the latest real-time VOC analyzers and passive tubes. In this presentation, we will review comparison study results and discuss steps taken to bridge the gap between the analyzers real-time data & passive tubes analyzed via TD/GC/MS.
Date
Thursday
Time
11:00AM
Location
Room 415B
Large Area Fugitive Emission Monitoring In All Conditions
Description
We present a detailed description and experimental results for a new laser sensing technique in combination with a gas emission survey method that remotely detects and maps the locations of multiple gas emission sources distributed across an extensive area. This presentation will focus on the application of this approach to methane and present results form an experimental evaluation of its performance using 17 calibrated releases, with support from he National Physical laboratory to create traceable standards. Our laser sensing approach, which we call Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy (LDS), uses changes in refractive index incurred by the optical beam to measure molecular concentration as opposed to traditional methods that depend of the intensity of the optical beam to quantify emission. The sensor offers improvements in precision, beam length, accuracy whereby the system inherently isolates common noise sources and offers enhanced performance in open path environments where detected optical intensity variation occurring form artefacts such as rain, water vapour result in inaccuracies when using traditional absorption techniques. Our experimental data set comprise of 7 optical beams that are sequentially steered on a timescale of ˜1Hz. Simultaneously we acquire 3D ultrasonic anemometry data and use this to drive a simple plume eddy dispersion model.
Advanced Technology for Real Time Fence-Line Perimeter Monitoring
Description
Atmosfir Optics, Ltd., will present the D-fenceline System, an advanced software application, applied to classical FTIR, Open Path Technology, providing significant and unique improvement to remote sensing of fence-line boundaries. We will discuss how these unique algorithms have been applied in the field to drive detection limits down an order of magnitude, pinpoint emission sources with an advanced triangulation algorithm, and increase confidence in using real time data for rapid mitigation and alerts, with instantaneous, real time spectral validation against the NIST reference spectra.
Date
Thursday
Time
11:00AM
Location
Room 417B
Implementation of California's Refinery Fenceline Monitoring Rule
Description
Passive sorption tubes are not enough. The Governor of California signed AB-1647 into law on October 9, 2017, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District adopted Rule 1180 – Refinery Fenceline Monitoring on December 1, 2017. This rule requires state-of-the-art open-path optical equipment to measure “ppb levels” of various air pollutants at or near the property boundary of petroleum refineries processing greater than 40,000 barrels per day. This presentation will highlight for the conference what refinery sites must do for implementation before January 1, 2020, with an emphasis on conceptual fenceline project design, the requirements of the Air Monitoring Plan and Quality Assurance Project Plan, and the potential for utilizing this technology in other states beyond California.
Date
Thursday
Time
10:30AM
Location
Room 415B
New and Emerging Fenceline Monitoring Technologies: Current vs Emerging Technology Strategies for Sampling and Quantitation of HRVOC and OHAP in Ambient and Emission Sources
Description
Various types of sampling and analysis strategies have been developed and implemented for the identification and quantitation of HRVOC and other OHAP. This presentation will present the advantages and disadvantages of the current testing methods, and compare and contrast them to emerging technologies that are currently in development for the field and laboratory. Discussion will focus on sampling and analysis techniques including gas chromatography via USEPA Method 18, USEPA Method 320 for organics, optically enhanced FTIR for low level detection of specific organic analytes, and quantitation of various ultra-low detection limit concentrations of HRVOC and OHAP using real-time Proton Transfer Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (PTR) and GC Interfaced PTR compliance testing by EPA Method 18. Emphasis will be placed on the emerging technologies utilized by PTR mass spectrometry instrumentation.
Date
Thursday
Time
1:30PM
Location
Room 415B
Avoiding Under-Reporting and Over-Reporting of Fenceline Plant Emissions
Description
Using a point measurement wind sensor for fenceline applications will result in under or over-estimating large body wind movement from your plant. OSI’s Long-baseline Optical Anemometer provides path-averaged wind data to give you an honest and accurate picture of plant emissions and can be a valuable tool in the case of an accidental release.
Date
Thursday
Time
11:30AM
Location
Room 415B
The State of Fenceline Monitoring Systems Lessons from the California Experience
Description
Several air quality regulating bodies in California are requiring major petroleum refiners to implement fenceline monitoring programs using open path sensing technologies. The first continuous open path Fenceline Monitoring system in California was at the Unocal Rodeo refinery (now P66) installed in 1996. This TAS system is effectively the prototype for projects currently being required at most other California refineries. Broader interest in similar fenceline systems has increased in recent years for environmental impact and general safety. The California experience provides some good examples to discuss the state of the technologies and the successful implementation of fenceline monitoring programs and systems. TAS has a unique perspective having been instrumental in creating the design and guiding implementation for most of these systems in partnerships with several refiners and local companies. Success cannot be defined or achieved without realistic purpose. Communicating purpose and building this into design before committing to engineering is often a significant obstacle. Several purposes for the California fenceline monitoring initiatives were defined in early regulation support studies. However, most of the refinery projects were being started without design purpose awareness. Technology and product readiness for these systems were not as clearly defined as regulators or even manufacturers understood. Sensor detection capabilities were overstated by operators, consultants, and some manufacturers. This led to unrealistic expectations in regulations and monitoring plans. Community attention as well as regulations requiring standards for uptime and data quality presented challenges to current products and practices. This has driven improvements in methods, equipment, and support systems. It has required manufacturers to transition products and systems from various stages of commercial readiness to address full industrial implementation. As systems come online and continuous operations are scrutinized, further developments are ongoing. Designing open path systems is not as simple as it would appear. Regulations written to operate continuously at the limits of the technology require close attention to details usually not important to refinery engineers. This often becomes a challenge. It can be aggravated in plan execution as environmental and construction challenges are often met by compromising design details. Close attention at every step of implementation is important. Most of the new experts promoting themselves in this California initiative operate in effect under a batching support and quality assurance paradigm. This is largely accepted by regulators and customers, but it carries risks. Experience with dozens of safety and operations critical open path systems, TAS brings a design paradigm of continuous operations that is well suited to the demands of operating in refinery and other heavy industry environments.
Date
Thursday
Time
11:30AM
Location
Room 417B
Portable GC for Fenceline Monitoring
Description
Coming soon.
Date
Thursday
Time
3:00PM
Location
Room 415B
SPOD: Continuous VOC Monitoring for Targeted Grab Sample Acquisition
Description
The SENSIT® SPOD is solar-powered fenceline monitoring system for VOCs. This low-powered, easily deployable system combines wind and VOC measurements to identify and locate emission sources in real-time. When combined with the highly configurable sample acquisition system, the SENSIT SPOD can enable targeted grab sampling using evacuated canisters or sorption tubes for later laboratory VOC analysis.
Date
Thursday
Time
2:00PM
Location
Room 415B
California Rule 1180 Fence Line Monitoring Regulation: Lessons Learned and planning for Regulatory Compliance
Description
Atmosfir Optics, Ltd, will discuss California’s South Coast’s Air Quality Measurement Division’s Rule 1180 fence-line monitoring requirements, how they came into existence, where they protect public health, and where there are inconsistencies as applied to known risk levels. We will discuss cost effective ways to apply advanced technology that can quickly adapt to potential upcoming requirements from other regulators that may use this rule as a model. Lessons learned from supporting a refinery’s response will be presented.
Date
Thursday
Time
1:00PM
Location
Room 415B