Determination of Hydrocarbon Emissions from Oil Field Production Sump; Evaluation Report

摘要

Hydrocarbon emissions from seven oil field production sumps were determined using a 'flux box' draft test method developed by the Engineering Evaluation Branch of the California Air Resources Board. The method involves drawing a measured amount of air through the open face of an open-bottom containment vessel which is floated on the sump. The total hydrocarbon and methane concentrations of the air entering and leaving the containment vessel are determined using both continuous analyzer and Tedlar bag sample analysis techniques. The field tests took place during the spring and summer of 1986 in Kern County, California. The sumps tested were characterized as primary, secondary or tertiary sumps as defined by their stage in the oil-water separation process. Average emission rates were found to range from 4.6 times ten to the sixth power to 186 x ten to sixth power lbs/min/sq. ft. Calculated daily emissions from individual sumps ranged from 26 to 1080 lbs/day. Because of known and unknown factors causing variability in the data, it is not recommended that an overall average emission factor be applied to predict hydrocarbon emissions from oil field production sumps.