Intelligent monitoring of fugitive emissions – comparison of continuous monitoring with intelligent analytics to other emissions monitoring technologies
Michelle J. Liu A * , Karren N. Izquierdo A and Dennis S. Prince AA Airdar Inc., Edmonton, AB, Canada.
The APPEA Journal 62(1) 56-65 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21116
Submitted: 11 December 2021 Accepted: 21 February 2022 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
Studies have shown that fugitive emissions are dominated by a small number of sources with extremely high emission rates, known as super-emitters. These super-emitters present an opportunity to significantly reduce emissions in a cost-effective manner if they are managed effectively. This requires the ability to detect, locate, and accurately measure emissions. However, the uncertain nature of fugitive emissions presents challenges to monitoring. Existing and emerging technologies enable emissions management with varying levels of success. This paper provides a practical comparison of several fugitive emissions monitoring technologies, including handheld gas detectors, optical gas imaging cameras, vehicle-based systems, satellites, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. These technologies provide periodic monitoring of a facility and are compared to continuous monitoring technologies that monitor emissions on a 24/7 basis using fixed sensors and advanced analytics to identify and track emission plumes. Continuous monitoring with intelligent analytics has demonstrated great potential in overcoming the challenges of monitoring fugitive emissions to reduce greenhouse gases and other problematic emissions. Features, capabilities, and limitations of these technologies are explored in the context of gas facilities, including their ability to detect intermittent sources, identify unsuspected and off-site sources, and quantify emissions. The range of monitoring for each technology and safety concerns associated with their use are discussed.
Keywords: continuous emissions monitoring, emissions management, fugitive emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, hydrogen sulfide, leak detection and repair, methane, super-emitters, VOCs.
Michelle Liu graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and is working towards her Master of Engineering at the University of Alberta. Michelle has experience working in both industrial and research settings and is currently an Engineer-in-Training and Data Analyst at Airdar Inc., applying data analytics to locate and quantify emissions. Michelle is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of Alberta (APEGA). |
Karren Izquierdo graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Structural Engineering. Karren has experience in the environmental field, having previously worked as a Data Analyst and Communications Lead at Airdar Inc., an environmental consulting company. Karren is currently a Structural Engineer-in-Training at ISL Engineering and Land Services and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of Alberta (APEGA). |
Dennis Prince obtained a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering in 1993 from the University of Alberta and is a Professional Engineer with APEGA. With 25 years of experience in emissions monitoring, Dennis Prince is the inventor of the Airdar technology and currently the CEO of Airdar Inc. In 2003, Dennis realised that ambient air concentration data could be used to visualise plumes of airborne compounds and track them back to their sources. Since then, his focus has been on developing Airdar to help industry resolve emission problems to protect the environment and the people in it. Dennis has led numerous projects in the oil and gas, chemical, wastewater treatment, and waste management industries, using the Airdar technology to locate and quantify emissions related to problems such as odours and GHG emissions. |
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