A refinery must begin report its annual fugitive emissions (leaks) of volatile o

Question

A refinery must begin report its annual fugitive emissions (leaks) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for all of its equipment valves, pumps, compressor seals, connectors, etc. Each one of these represent a potential source where VOC can be emitted. Two different methods for estimating these emissions are being considered. Method I. Using average emission factors without VOC screening data. In this method, the number of each process component is simply counted and then the average emission factors below are used. Method 2: Using Screening Value Range with VOC screening data. In this method, a hydrocarbon (HC) gas monitoring instrument is used to measure the background HC concentration at each source. Depending on whether the measured HC concentration falls in the range greater than or equal to 10,000 PPM (v/v) or less than 10,000 PPM (v/v), the different average emission factors given below are used. Use the source data given below to determine which of the two above methods you believe the refinery would prefer to use for estimating their annual VOC emissions. Also, give your reasoning behind the method you have indicated. Assume that each source, with the exception of process drains and open-ended pipes, will have been taken off-line for 14 days each year to perform routine maintenance on the different process areas.

Explanation / Answer

Solution:

Emissions that are not released through stack, vent, duct pipes and other confined air stream are termed as fugitive sources. These emissions include equipment leaks and area emissions.

The average emission factor is commonly used to calculate emissions when site specific screening data are unavailable.

The screening range emission factor are a better indication of actual leak rate from individual euipment than the average emission factors.

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