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EMISSION FACTORS AND FREQUENCY OF LEAK OCCURRENCE FOR FITTINGS IN REFINERY PROCESS UNITS
Citation:
Wetherold, R. AND L. Provost. EMISSION FACTORS AND FREQUENCY OF LEAK OCCURRENCE FOR FITTINGS IN REFINERY PROCESS UNITS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-79/044 (NTIS PB294741), 1979.
Description:
The report gives results of sampling fugitive emissions at nine integrated oil refineries throughout the U.S. The petroleum refining industry is a significant source of atmospheric hydrocarbon (HC) emissions in the U.S. Each refinery has a large number of potential emission sources, both controlled (e.g., stacks and vents) and uncontrolled (e.g., leaks). HC emission data were collected for valves, flanges, pump and compressor seals, pressure relief valves, and process drains. The sampling techniques are presented. Potential leaking components were initially screened using portable HC detectors; screened devices which indicate significant emissions were then subjected to fully qualitative and quantitative sampling and analysis. For the nine refineries, 5680 sources were screened, 1250 of which were sampled and analyzed. Data on non-methane HC emission rates are presented for each fugitive source, with statistics on data variability. Information on frequency of leaks is also provided. These data show that most HC emissions from fugitive sources occur due to a relatively few leaking components. Gas/vapor streams contribute a proportionately greater amount of emissions than the light and heavy liquid streams.