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ENV-04-189 Gas Imaging - An Alternative to Method 21 for Detecting Fugitive Emissions

Michael Smylie- ENVIRON International Corporation

Format:
Electronic (digital download/no shipping)

Associate Member, International Member, Petrochemical Member, Refining Member - $0.00
Government, NonMember - $25.00

Description:

In August and September 2000, an intensive field study, called the Texas Air Quality Study (TxAQS), was conducted in the Houston-Galveston area (HGA) to study ozone and other air pollution issues in that region. As part of TxAQS, aerial surveys of chemical species in the atmosphere above the HGA showed higher ozone and ozone-precursor concentrations than would be expected from the emission inventory of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In a Technical Support Document dated June 5, 2002, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) noted this discrepancy: “Much of the early analysis focused on why the HGA is different from other areas of the nation. A survey of the area indicates the most striking difference in HGA and other areas of the nation is the extensive refining and petrochemical industry located around the Houston Ship Channel. The HGA produces over half of the chemical and refining needs of the nation. Not surprisingly, the early results have pointed to high levels of VOC emissions from industrial sources in the area; which are much higher than those reported in the annual and special emissions inventories.” One possible source of unreported emissions from industrial facilities are fugitive emissions. Fugitive emissions are normally relatively small and hard-to-detect emissions from valve packings, pump seals, compressor seals, and piping connections that occur as part of normal industrial plant operations. They are characterized by a diffuse release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. According to the EPA, fugitive emissions from petrochemical and chemical plants can account for as much as 30 to 70 percent of the total air emissions from these facilities.

Product Details:

Product ID: ENV-04-189
Publication Year: 2004