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Summary description of module ��

An overview of global and local standards for treating associated gas

Discuss global standards for associated gas treatment and oil and gas industry in general, with country examples
Discuss national standards and regulatory practices and identify potential areas for improvement

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Best-practice in Alberta, Canada�Alberta CEMS Code: Continuous Emission Measurement Systems for stationary sources

The code by which the CEM is designed, installed, operated and maintained

A proper QA (Quality Assurance) / QC (Quality Control) plan is required
Daily validations, regular inspection and maintenance, and audits

Considerations include the need for a representative sample that is homogenous (i.e., well mixed) and is readily accessible for maintenance

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Depending on the industry and plant permit, a CEMS may measure SO₂, NO_x, CO, TRS (Total Reduced Sulfurs), CO₂ and PM (Particulate Matter)
The permit also determines reporting requirements

Emission rates reported in tons (1000 kg) per day are common

A CEMS will typically not measure wind speed and direction nor the low concentration levels that an ambient station does
A CEMS must pass a third-party audit or manual stack survey conducted in accordance with the Alberta Stack Sampling Code

Best-practice in Alberta, Canada�Alberta CEMS Code: Continuous Emission Measurement Systems for stationary sources – continued

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CEM typical methods of measurement – common but not exclusive

SO₂ – UV absorption
NOx – UV absorption or Chemiluminescence
CO and CO₂ – NDIR
Particulate Matter – Opacity

Best-practice in Alberta, Canada�Alberta CEMS Code: Continuous Emission Measurement Systems for stationary sources – continued

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CEM sampling methods – to extract a sample or not

In-situ measurement

Measurement “in the natural or original position”
Across the stack design is most common
Opacity is a common example

Extractive

Sample is removed (extracted) from the stack

Hot / wet sample
Cool / dry sample
Diluted sample

Best-practice in Alberta, Canada�Alberta CEMS Code: Continuous Emission Measurement Systems for stationary sources – continued

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In-situ vs extractive CEMS sampling

Figure 1. Types of CEM technology. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

In-situ analyzers seem the obvious choice for simplicity but keep in mind doing maintenance at 40m in January

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Opacity measurement

Based on transmittance of light across the stack
Percent opacity is reported in percent of light not transmitting across the stack

% Opacity = 100 - %T

E.g. 30% Opacity = 100 - 70%T

Where:

%T = percentage of light transmitting across the stack

Figure 2. In-situ stack opacity measurement. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

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Extractive systems: cool-dry or hot-wet

A sample dryer is not shown but is required for a cool/dry sample.

Think of the CEMS in the lab

An aspirator / eductor can be used in place of a pump. Again, think of the CEM in the lab. It has an aspirator integral to its design.

A heated sample bundle is common to both designs

Figure 3. Cool dry extractive CEM. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

Figure 4. Hot wet extractive CEM. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

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Extractive dilution systems

Dilute sample at controlled dilution ratio

Dilution lowers dew point to accommodate dry measurement analyzers
The target gas concentrations are also reduced

Use highly sensitive analyzers to measure the resulting lower concentrations

Figure 5. Diluted gas CEM system. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

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CEMS Code: �Continuous Emission Measurement Systems for stationary sources

The code by which the CEM is designed, installed, operated and maintained _[2]

A proper QA (Quality Assurance) / QC (Quality Control) plan is required
Daily validations, regular inspection and maintenance, and audits

Considerations include the need for a representative sample that is homogenous (i.e., well mixed) and is readily accessible for maintenance

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CEMS Code – continued

Performance Specifications evaluate the acceptability of the CEMS at the time of or soon after installation:

Linearity
Relative accuracy
Bias
Zero drift – 24 hr
Span drift – 24 hr
Availability per month

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Performance specifications excerpt

Analyzer	Linearity	Relative accuracy	Bias	Zero drift-24 hr	Span drift-24 hr	Availability
Sulfur dioxide	≤ ± 2.0% of span	≤ ± 10.0% of RM	≤ ± 5.0% of FS	≤ ± 2.5% of span	≤ ± 2.5% of span	≥ 90.0%
Nitrogen oxides	≤ ± 2.0% of span	≤ ± 10.0% of RM	≤ ± 5.0% of FS	≤ ± 2.5% of span	≤ ± 2.5% of span	≥ 90.0%

Table1. Performance specifications. Adapted from Government of Alberta CEMS Code – Draft Version, (2018)

What is the same from your government?

CEMS Code – continued

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Figure 6. Air quality monitoring station (Warren 2018).

CEMS Code – continued

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Airshed zones: ambient air quality measurement

Figure 7. Alberta’s airshed zones. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part B, 310404cB, (2019)

What is in your country?

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Ambient typical methods of measurement

H₂S and SO₂ – UV Fluorescence
NO_x – Chemiluminescence
CO and CO₂ – NDIR
Ozone – UV Absorption
THC (total hydrocarbons) – Flame Ionization Detector
VOC – GC or Mass Spectrometry
Particulate Matter – Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance
Total Suspended Particulate – High Volume Sampler c/w a weight analysis

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Wind speed and direction

Figure 8. Wind speed and direction (Warren 2018).

Cup anemometer

Wind vane

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Fugitive emissions – unwanted escape

Pollutants released by leaks from pressurized process equipment

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are commonly monitored fugitive emissions

Measure at multiple sample points near high-risk sources
Possible measuring techniques

Mass spectrometer
Open-path devices

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Acid rain formation

Figure 9. Acid Rain. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

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Acid rain – SO₂, NOx and H₂S + water

SO₂, NO_x, H₂S react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acid rain
A pH of less than 5 defines acid rain

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Sulfur emissions – think acid rain

Sulfuric acid formation in the atmosphere contributes to acid rain

S + O₂ SO₂
SO₂ + H₂O H₂SO₃ (sulfurous acid)
SO₂ + oxidize SO₃ + H₂O H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid)

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Sulfur emission harmful effects – continued

Physiological

E.g., tiny sulphate particles penetrate the lungs which can aggravate respiratory conditions or diseases

Defoliation and other harmful effects to plants
Corrosion

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Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) – acid rain and smog contributor

A product of high temperature combustion

Consider temperatures in excess of 1200 °C
Internal combustion engines a major source

Reacts with oxygen to create ground-level ozone

Ozone contributes to smog

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Smog formation – remember the Calgary photo?

Figure 10. Smog. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

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Smog: air pollutants + particulates

Originally coined from a contraction of the words “smoke” and “fog”
Composed of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ozone and particulates
Particulate matter size is very important when assessing risk to human health

PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 refer to the particulate diameter size in µm
PM_2.5 is the more dangerous particulate because it refers to particulate size 2.5 µm or less, which is more easily lodged in the lungs when inhaled

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Fine particulate matter PM₁₀vs PM_2.5 vs human hair

Figure 11. PM_2.5 (Warren 2018).

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Greenhouse effect

Figure 12. Greenhouse effect. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

Beyond CO₂, GHG’s also include water vapour, CH₄ (methane), N₂O (nitrous oxide) and ozone (O₃)

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Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Major GHGs are water vapour, CO₂, CH₄ (methane), N₂O (nitrous oxide) and ozone (O₃)
Abnormal amounts of GHGs absorb IR energy emitted from earth’s surface, resulting in a warming of the atmosphere
Acidification of the oceans (i.e. absorption of CO₂ forms carbonic acid) is also a huge concern

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Ambient water quality measurement

Two sources include:

Surface water
Ground water – water below the surface accessible by wells

Water-effluent contaminants and conditions needing measurement include:

Dissolved oxygen
pH
Temperature
Turbidity

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Water quality measurement categories

“I’m not getting a lot of propulsion”

Figure 13. Water quality measurements for fish. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

Figure 6. Water quality measurement categories. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

What is 2 mg/L dissolved O₂ in ppm?

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Industrial air quality management

Management accomplished through:

Regulation
Environmental assessment
Approvals
Enforcement

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Government regulation

Through one type of body:

Government ministries

Part of the whole country‘s government

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Government roles

Government’s bodies

Ministries include

Environment
Agriculture
Health
Transport

Independent agencies

Environmental Assessment Agency
National Energy Board (e.g. Energy East Pipeline assessment)
Regulating agencies

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Country’s key acts – acts are laws

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
Water Act
Climate Change Emissions Management Act

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Regulatory compliance

The government's bodies enforce regulatory compliance under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
Compliance program consists of:

Inspection
Investigation
Compulsory monitoring
Reclamation programs

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Case study: Alberta ESRD (AEP) – key acts are laws

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
Water Act
Climate Change Emissions Management Act

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Case study: regulatory compliance – continued

The ESRD (AEP) enforces regulatory compliance under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
Compliance program consists of:

Inspection
Investigation
Compulsory monitoring
Reclamation programs

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Case study: regulatory compliance – continued�Government roles

Environmental protection enacted through by-laws
Examples:

Regulate drainage in storm sewers
Transportation of dangerous goods
Waste management
Wastewater disposal
Water utility system protection

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Air Monitoring Directive (AMD): it starts here

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Applicable standards and codes for CEMS and ambient stations

Follow these codes and guidelines when working on air pollution monitoring equipment

Air Monitoring Directive

General document addressing all major air pollutants
Procedures for following proper monitoring and reporting protocol for both source (CEM) and ambient stations

Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) Code

Installation, operation, maintenance and certification of the CEM

Ambient Air Quality Objectives and Guidelines

Maximum acceptable ambient air concentrations

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Management framework�Approvals are at the centre of most tasks

Figure 1. Industrial air quality management. Adapted from Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA, (2019)

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Main take-aways

Compare standards in your country to standards that Alberta, Canada is adopting
Suggest an addition to current regulatory measures in your country
Apply the BAT mentioned in Module 2 to current local standards
Consider safety and mitigation SOPs in the local standard proposed “suggested” changes as mentioned in Module 2

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References

1. Buracas, Ted. (2008). Smoggy Calgary-800x600[Image file.] Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/teddyboy/412721365/in/photolist-2iCj8ui-H4cBEd-HyB495-4QLc1x-CtiFB-4oi76c-5zScLo-5zMUSM-5zSe9s-5zMV3H-hM9iy9
2. Government of Alberta – Environment and Parks (Draft Version, 2018). Alberta Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) Code.
3. Government of Alberta – Advanced Education (2019). Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part A, 310404cA
4. Government of Alberta – Advanced Education (2019). Instrument Technician ILM, Environmental Monitoring – Part B, 310404cB
5. United States Environmental Protection Agency – Acid Rain Division (1994). An Operator’s Guide to Eliminating Bias in CEM Systems.
6. Warren, Kevin – AMAROK Consulting (2018). Parkland Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ) [PowerPoint slides]