ENV-05-188 Implementation of a Large Real-time Environmental Data Management System

Description:

Valero Energy Corporation (Valero) has installed and is currently completing the implementation of a real-time environmental data management system (EDMS) project at the Corpus Christi refinery (capacity of 340,000 barrels per day). The principal purpose is to enhance the existing calculations and reporting system that used spreadsheets with continuous, real-time calculations and monitoring of air emissions. The real-time notification of environmental staff when a reportable quantity (RQ) violation has occurred was viewed as critical enhancement. This project was the final test for selection of a corporate standard real-time EDMS solution that will be deployed to many of the domestic Valero refineries. This paper presents the background for pursuing a corporate real-time EDMS to replace the legacy air calculations, the pilot and project scope of the large Corpus Christi system, and the benefits and challenges in the Corpus Christi implementation. With the success of this initial project, Valero has begun corporate-wide deployment of the real-time environmental package, E!CEMS.