Advances in Leak Advances in Leak Detection Technology Detection Technology

Bruce SteltzerBruce SteltzerDelaware DNREC Delaware DNREC -- Air Quality ManagementAir Quality Management

February 7, 2006February 7, 2006

Gas Gas FindIRFindIR CameraCamera

Manufactured by FLIR SystemsManufactured by FLIR SystemsTechnology uses infrared energy to Technology uses infrared energy to ““seesee”” gas gas vaporsvaporsThe gas vapors appear as smokeThe gas vapors appear as smokeThermal imaging cameraThermal imaging camera

FLIR Gas FLIR Gas FindIRFindIR

Capable of scanning large areas faster than flame Capable of scanning large areas faster than flame ionization detectors (FID) and ionization detectors (FID) and photo ionizationphoto ionizationdetectors (PID)detectors (PID)Shows gas leaks in real timeShows gas leaks in real timeRecord to videoRecord to video

What the Gas What the Gas FindIRFindIR seessees

Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons: --anesanes, , --enesenes, & , & --ynesynesFor example:For example:

BenzeneBenzeneButaneButaneMethaneMethaneHeptaneHeptanePropylenePropylene

What it doesnWhat it doesn’’t seet see

Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxideHydrogen sulfideHydrogen sulfideNitrogen dioxideNitrogen dioxideSulfur dioxideSulfur dioxideCarbon MonoxideCarbon MonoxideAmmoniaAmmonia

Gas Gas FindIRFindIR CameraCamera

The camera lens transmits IR energy with The camera lens transmits IR energy with wavelengths of 3.3 wavelengths of 3.3 –– 3.4 micrometers.3.4 micrometers.Transmission Transmission –– To cause energy, light, etc., to To cause energy, light, etc., to pass through space or a medium.pass through space or a medium.

Put in picture of lighterPut in picture of lighter

Similar to another test method?Similar to another test method?

RM 9 of 40 CFR Part 60 for OpacityRM 9 of 40 CFR Part 60 for OpacityWe determine the opacity of the smoke by We determine the opacity of the smoke by determining how much light is transmitted determining how much light is transmitted through it.through it.

To To ““seesee”” a gas clouda gas cloud

Cloud must absorb radiant energy at wavelength Cloud must absorb radiant energy at wavelength of the Gas of the Gas FindIRFindIRCloud must have a radiant contrast Cloud must have a radiant contrast (temperature) compared to the background or (temperature) compared to the background or surroundingssurroundingsGas cloud motion is keyGas cloud motion is key

Visible LightVisible Light

Infrared EnergyInfrared Energy

Thermal image in colorThermal image in color

Refinery Tank InspectionRefinery Tank Inspection

Object: Object: to view tanks storing variety of materialsto view tanks storing variety of materialsCrude oilCrude oilCrude residualsCrude residualsFinished GasolineFinished Gasoline

PropertiesProperties

Crude OilCrude OilAPI API –– 31.8, RVP 31.8, RVP –– N/A @ 63 deg FN/A @ 63 deg F

Crude ResidualsCrude ResidualsAPI API –– 14.0, RVP 14.0, RVP –– N/A @ 131 deg FN/A @ 131 deg F

GasolineGasolineAPI API –– 52.4, RVP 52.4, RVP –– 10.9 @ 40 deg F10.9 @ 40 deg F

Thermal Image of TanksThermal Image of Tanks

Tank SealTank Seal

Tank RoofTank Roof

Tanker Trucks Unloading GasTanker Trucks Unloading Gas

Observed truck transferring gasoline into a Observed truck transferring gasoline into a 12,000 gallon AGST12,000 gallon AGSTVapor recovery line coupling was not secured Vapor recovery line coupling was not secured tightlytightlyGas vapors observed with the cameraGas vapors observed with the cameraInformed truck operator of gas leakInformed truck operator of gas leakOperator secured the couplingOperator secured the couplingNo vapors noticed during rest of unloadingNo vapors noticed during rest of unloading

12,000 gal gas storage tank12,000 gal gas storage tank

Insert photo of tanker and tankInsert photo of tanker and tank

GasolineGasolineAnd And Vapor Line Vapor Line HookupsHookups

Gas & Vapor LinesGas & Vapor Lines

Vapor Line HookupVapor Line Hookup

Vapor Line Hookup to TruckVapor Line Hookup to Truck

Landfill Gas WellheadLandfill Gas Wellhead

FID detected 2300 FID detected 2300 ppmppm CHCH44

Company Company FAQsFAQs

How much does that thing cost?How much does that thing cost?Holy cow!! Or other similar expression Holy cow!! Or other similar expression What if you see a leak?What if you see a leak?Will it be considered as credible evidence?Will it be considered as credible evidence?

Credible EvidenceCredible Evidence

Clean Air Act section 113(a) authorizes EPA to Clean Air Act section 113(a) authorizes EPA to bring an administrative, civil, or criminal bring an administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement action enforcement action ““on the basis of any on the basis of any information available to the Administrator.information available to the Administrator.””

-- Federal Register, Feb. 24, 1997, pg 8320.Federal Register, Feb. 24, 1997, pg 8320.

Credible EvidenceCredible Evidence

The most common form of evidence is that The most common form of evidence is that gathered by the reference test methods of 40 gathered by the reference test methods of 40 CFR Part 60 and 63 as required by the NSPS CFR Part 60 and 63 as required by the NSPS and NESHAP regulations.and NESHAP regulations.Testing may be required under StateTesting may be required under State’’s s regulations.regulations.

Credible EvidenceCredible Evidence

The language of Section 113(a), together with The language of Section 113(a), together with the fact that the Act nowhere prohibits the use the fact that the Act nowhere prohibits the use of information other than reference test results of information other than reference test results to prove violations, indicates the Act does not to prove violations, indicates the Act does not limit the use of any information to prove a limit the use of any information to prove a violation.violation.

-- Federal Register, Feb. 24, 1997, pg 8320.Federal Register, Feb. 24, 1997, pg 8320.

Delaware Water & Delaware Water & Air Resources ActAir Resources Act

7 7 Del. C.Del. C. 60 section 6024 60 section 6024 –– Right of Entry:Right of Entry:

The Secretary, or duly authorized designee, in The Secretary, or duly authorized designee, in regulating water pollution, air pollution, solid regulating water pollution, air pollution, solid waste disposal or any other matter over which waste disposal or any other matter over which he has jurisdictionhe has jurisdiction……

Delaware Water & Delaware Water & Air Resources ActAir Resources Act

Right of Entry statute (paraphrased):Right of Entry statute (paraphrased):

DNREC staff may enter, at reasonable times, DNREC staff may enter, at reasonable times, private or public property to determine private or public property to determine compliance with a statute or regulation after compliance with a statute or regulation after giving verbal notice and presenting official ID.giving verbal notice and presenting official ID.

Right to InspectionRight to Inspection

Regulation No. 17, Section 2.3 Regulation No. 17, Section 2.3 ––

The Department may conduct tests of emissions The Department may conduct tests of emissions from or fuel used by any air contaminant source.from or fuel used by any air contaminant source.

Right to InspectionRight to Inspection

Regulation No. 30, Section 6(c)(2) Regulation No. 30, Section 6(c)(2) ––

……The The permiteepermitee shall allow authorized officials shall allow authorized officials of the Department to perform the followingof the Department to perform the following……

Right to InspectionRight to Inspection

Inspect at reasonable times and using reasonable Inspect at reasonable times and using reasonable safety practices any facilities, equipment, safety practices any facilities, equipment, practices, or operations regulated or required practices, or operations regulated or required under the permit.under the permit.As authorized under the CAA, sample or As authorized under the CAA, sample or monitor at reasonable times substances or monitor at reasonable times substances or parameters for the purpose of assuring parameters for the purpose of assuring compliance with the permit or applicable compliance with the permit or applicable requirements.requirements.

How DNREC uses thisHow DNREC uses this

Currently experimenting with the camera at Currently experimenting with the camera at different industries and in different different industries and in different environmentsenvironmentsCameraCamera’’s role in inspections and enforcement s role in inspections and enforcement will evolve over timewill evolve over time

How DNREC may use thisHow DNREC may use this

Use to determine compliance with equipment Use to determine compliance with equipment and operational standards (leak / no leak and operational standards (leak / no leak standard, tank seals)standard, tank seals)Use in conjunction with FID/PID for Use in conjunction with FID/PID for quantitative data for emission standards (leaks quantitative data for emission standards (leaks with concentration limit)with concentration limit)Community & business outreach Community & business outreach

ReferenceReference

FLIR Gas FLIR Gas FindIRFindIR course manualcourse manualwww.flirthermography.com/smartLDARwww.flirthermography.com/smartLDAR