South Coast AQMD’s Governing Board has directed South Coast AQMD staff to work closely with the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and its members in conducting pilot programs to:
Total Sulfur Analyzer Pilot Project
Rule 1118 requires that refineries and related facilities continuously or semi-continuously analyze the composition of flare vent gases using a total sulfur monitoring system. Such systems must be operated in compliance with requirements outlined in Attachment A of the rule in order to be certified by South Coast AQMD.
Flare vent gas composition and temperatures can vary widely in a short period of time. Sulfur analyzers available in today’s market have not yet been proven in these rapidly fluctuating conditions to effectively provide verifiable representative emissions data required by Rule 1118. The Total Sulfur Analyzer Pilot Project was undertaken by BP and South Coast AQMD to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using a total sulfur analyzer designed specifically for flare vent gas environments to provide continuous or semi-continuous data that are verifiable, meaningful, and representative of such environments.
Higher Heating Value Analyzer Pilot Project
Rule 1118 requires that refineries and related facilities continuously analyze the higher heating value of flare event gases using a higher heating value monitoring system. Such systems must be operated in compliance with requirements outlined in Attachment A of the rule in order to be certified by South Coast AQMD.
Flare vent gas composition and temperatures can vary widely within short periods of time. Higher heating value analyzers available in today’s market have not yet been proven in these fluctuating conditions to effectively provide the verifiable representative emissions data required by Rule 1118. The Higher Heating Value Analyzer Project was undertaken by Chevron and South Coast AQMD in order to demonstrate the technical feasibility of higher heating value analyzers specifically designed for flare vent gas environments to provide continuous data that are verifiable, meaningful, and representative of such environments.
Pictured: Higher Heating Value Analyzer – calorimeter in temperature controlled enclosure
Status
A six-month pilot program will begin in February, 2007, when a higher heating value analyzer using calorimetry technology installed in one of Chevron’s flares begins operation. Through at least August 2007, and possibly longer depending on the volume of data collected, the system will be tested under real world conditions to evaluate and demonstrate its performance. Additionally, Chevron will be installing a higher heating value analyzer which uses mass spectrometry technology. This system is estimated to become operational in March, 2007. Once South Coast AQMD certifies that the system or other analyzer systems is capable of operating in a manner that meets the requirements outlined in Rule 1118 Attachment A, other refineries and related facilities may elect to install similar equipment to meet rule requirements.