CEM - Abstract

Abstract Information :

Industrial installations now require passive monitoring of fugitive emissions around the perimeter of their facilities. The current example is that of refineries which are living with new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) requirements which necessitates monitoring of fugitive benzene emissions around the premises. Passive monitors absorb many different air pollutants and can be deployed to detect “ambient air” concentrations (defined as the other side of the fence) at relatively low cost. Their use is rapidly expanding beyond refineries and beyond simple compliance monitoring because the communities around the installations demand more information regarding emissions from such facilities in their environment while on the other hand industry values low-cost but reliable and effective methods to identify problems early and demonstrate compliance and environmental stewardship. As passive monitoring proves its utility in the refinery sector and becomes mainstream, more opportunities to utilize it for “next-generation compliance” could be forthcoming for other types of facilities too. Parallelly next generation air measurement technologies are making it easier to track air pollution leaks from pipes, seals, and other areas at industrial facilities. These new high-tech tools can be used to help determine where leaks are occurring and what chemicals are being released. Challenges in Implementation of Fenceline Monitoring Program: Although the goal of fenceline monitoring is to ensure facility emissions are fully characterized and to trigger action if elevated levels of emissions are observed at the fenceline but establishing a fenceline monitoring program presents the risks and challenges to the regulated community such as : 1. Related areas 2. Designing the monitoring network 3. Meteorological data 4. Corrective actions 5. Public reporting 6. Site-specific monitoring plans Future of Fenceline Monitoring Concept: When applied properly, passive fenceline monitoring has proven to be a low-cost, readily available, and reliable tool for assessing emissions at industrial installations so the reach of these types of tools is likely to expand beyond benzene monitoring at oil refineries. Therefore, many other large industrial facilities have cause to be interested in the process and lessons learned from implementing the refinery regulations.