AQMD’s Governing Board has
directed AQMD staff to work closely with the Western States Petroleum
Association (WSPA) and its members in conducting pilot programs to:
- Demonstrate the technical feasibility of total sulfur analyzers; and
- Evaluate the data collected from higher heating value analyzers
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 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 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.
Temperature Control (above left)
(1) Slave Sulfur Analyzer (3)
Gas Switching Panel
Sample Pump (above right)
(2) Air Purge Conditioner (4) Master Sulfur
Analyzer
Status
The twelve-month pilot program began April 25, 2006, when a total sulfur
analyzer installed in one of BP’s flares began operation. Through mid-2007,
the system will be tested under real world conditions to evaluate and
demonstrate its performance. Once AQMD certifies that the system (or other
similar systems) is capable of operating in a manner that meets the
requirements outlined in Rule 1118 Attachment A, other refineries and
related facilities will install comparable equipment to meet rule
requirements.
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 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 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 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.
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