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Investigation of Low Cost Sensor-Based Leak Detection System for Fence Line Applications
Citation:
Jiao, W., E. Thoma, H. Brantley, B. Squier, Bill Mitchell, E. Escobar, M. Modrack, AND S. Amin. Investigation of Low Cost Sensor-Based Leak Detection System for Fence Line Applications. Presented at 108th Annual Conference of the Air & Waste Management Association, Raleigh, NC, June 23 - 26, 2015.
Impact/Purpose:
This is an extended abstract for the 2015 AWMA conference in Raleigh NC. The subject is low cost fence line sensor systems developed by EPA ORD
Description:
With recent technological advances, low-cost time-resolved sensors may become effective tools to support time-integrated passive sampling strategies by helping to decipher origin of emissions in real-time. As part of the Petroleum Refinery Risk and Technology Review, New Source Performance Standards rule, the US EPA is proposing use of two-week passive sorbent tube fence line monitoring for benzene. A prototype low-cost sensor-based, stand-alone air measurement (SAM) network, called SEnsor NeTwork INtelligent Emission Locator (SENTINEL), was developed by EPA’s Office of Research and Development and deployed near a refinery in South Philadelphia. The sensor network consists of a base station and one solar-powered remote station, measuring non-speciated air pollutant concentrations using passive photoionization detectors (PIDs), with sensors for temperature, pressure, and humidity and a 3-D sonic anemometer for wind field diagnostics. Logged at one second intervals, data from the remote station is transferred over a short range network to the base station where it can be accessed remotely via cellular modem. In addition to system design and current sensor performance characteristics, time-series analysis providing insights into source identification under different meteorological conditions will be presented. The limitations of the current design and recommendations for future improvements will also be discussed.