Comparative study of leak detection capabilities of USEPA Method 21 and Optical Gas Imaging

摘要

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks ("Ministry") has developed industry standards for benzene and 1.3-butadiene for the petroleum refining and petrochemical sectors under Ontario Regulation 419/05 - Local Air Quality. The Petroleum Refining Industry Standard and the Petrochemical Industry Standard ("Industry Standards") released in 2016 require three leak detection campaigns to be conducted annually fur components that contain or come in contact with specified concentrations of benzene or 1,3-butadiene and to repair leaks found within specified timelines. To facilitate the implementation of the Industry Standards, a collaborative project was initiated. Many groups participated and provided technical, financial and in-kind contributions during the multi-year project. Participants included 3 industry associations. 7 petroleum refineries and petrochemical facilities, 2 First Nations, a local Environmental Group. Environment and Climate Change Canada. United Slates Environmental Protection Agency and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. This presentation describes one of the studies that was conducted during the Collaborative Project at volunteer Ontario facilities to provide real-world information on LDAR activities targeting fugitive emissions. The purpose of the study was to evaluate technologies and methodologies to assist in the implementation of new fugitive air emission monitoring programs as required by the industry Standards. The Specific objective of the study was to compare the leak detection capabilities of the two most recognized methods for leak detection used by petroleum refineries and petrochemical facilities (United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA] Method 21 and Optical Gas Imaging (OGI)). These two leak detection methods are compared based on their capacity to find leaks and their fugitive emission rats of the leaks detected. The Ministry will present the background, goals, structure and methodology of the study. SNC-Lavalin. who was contracted by the Ministry to organize and analyze the data of the study and to compile the results, will present the key findings ot the study.