ENV-07-101 Results of a Plant Monitoring Program to Support Rule Making to Allow Smart LDAR in Louisiana

Description:

This study, conducted at the ExxonMobil Complex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has conclusively shown that using optical imaging in a Smart LDAR1 program for fugitive emissions control results in lower emissions compared with the current Method 212-based regulatory required procedures. Also, small concentration leaks were shown to not generally increase over time and become big leakers. This study demonstrated that finding the big mass rate leakers sooner and repairing them more quickly offset small mass rate leakers that would be not be detected using the AWP (alternative work practice). Also, the AWP overwhelmingly shows that fewer monitoring personnel can monitor a facility in a fraction of the time required to conduct a survey using the CWP (current work practice). The combination of all these benefits demonstrates that optical imaging should replace Method 21 for fugitive emissions control.