Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) is currently the preferred technology for detecting leaks and fugitive emissions of hydrocarbon compounds worldwide. This thermal camera-based technology uses an infrared bandwidth filter in the spectral absorption range of all volatile organic compounds (VOCs). American regulations, both state and federal, are transitioning from conventional methods, such as gas sniffers, to visualizing leaks and detection using OGI cameras [i]. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s federal regulation approved in 2016 states that this is the Best System of Emissions Reduction (BSER) [ii].
Gas Leak Event Description and Discovery
In coordination with Haifa Municipality, Opgal demonstrated remote detection (up to 0.65 miles or 1 km) of VOCs using Opgal’s EyeCGas camera by observing the tank terminals of Petroleum & Energy Infrastructures (Tashan) in Kiryat Haim.
This demonstration’s main idea was to show the regulator’s ability to monitor Oil & Gas infrastructure without entering the site; an initial step in indicating the need to monitor 24/7 fugitive gas emissions in the petrochemical industry. In this demonstration, from the roof of a school, it was possible to scan the storage tanks at Tashan’s site using three EyeCGas cameras in different hardware and software configurations (for research and development purposes). First, the Opgal team scanned the tanks westward, and the EyeCGas cameras saw no visible emissions. The tanks to the southeast were examined next, again with no visible emissions. At 1:50 pm, the cameras scanned in a southwesterly direction into the low winter sun; immediately, there was a visible emission of VOCs in all the cameras (Figure 1), despite the unfavorable observation conditions in front of the sun.
Initially, the emitted plume was blowing to the west (Figure 2), and after a few minutes, the wind direction changed to westerly, which blew the emitted plume to the east (Figure 3). During the wind direction transition, the emitted plume blew from the southwest towards the school.
Everyone present on the roof of the school smelt a strong odor for several minutes. The emission event lasted as long as the team was on the school roof until 2:30 pm.
It was not initially clear from which tank the plume emitted; however, an additional camera looking at the tanks from a different direction would have helped determine the leak’s location.
According to the plume’s speed and the moderate wind, it’s possible to estimate that the cloud came from one or two nearby tanks (at a distance between 250 and 350 meters from the camera location, see Figure 1).
The nearest tank is inactive, but the camera shows a shallow liquid level at the bottom of that tank as a dark layer, with a cooler temperature than the rest of the tank wall (Figures 2 and 3).
Opgal in the Field of Gas Discovery
In 2011, Opgal developed and started to sell the most sensitive Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) camera, EyeCGas, worldwide.
EyeCGas is intrinsically safe and complies with the EPA’s “Quad Oa” (OOOOa) regulations. EyeCGas is used globally for LDAR compliance.
Today, Opgal offers a line of products for a wide range of OGI applications, including auto-detection software for stationary cameras installed near potential emission sources, for example, storage tanks, natural gas installations, etc.
Opgal has recently developed a unique remote detection capability and can cover a tank farm’s vast area with a few stationary cameras.
During the test phase, the Opgal team demonstrated a ten-kilometer controlled venting event detection capability at an offshore rig.
Automatic detection algorithm applied to the EyeCGas image taken at the
Tashan site, showing the gas emissions in color and automated alerts.
If you have any questions or clarifications, you can contact Dr. Ram Hashmonay, Principal Innovation Scientist, Industrial Division at Opgal.
[i] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Stationary Sources of Air Pollution, September 22, 2020, https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution
[ii] Environmental Protection Agency. Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources [PDF File]. Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 107 / Friday, June 3, 2016 / Rules and Regulations, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-06-03/pdf/2016-11971.pdf
