Federal, state efforts force reexamination of glycol-reboiler emissions

Journal Article · Mon May 17 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6164934

True, W R

Regulatory pressures by the U.S. government and several individual states are forcing gas processors to examine their operations for sources of toxic emissions. Of specific concern are emissions from the reboiler still vents of glycol dehydration units. These emissions are being analyzed to determine levels of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and the xylene isomers (BTEX) and other volatile organic compounds (VOC). Concern over BTEX/VOC emissions from these units has been surfacing at industry meetings, such as the recent Gas Processors Association 72nd Annual Convention, and prompted a technical conference on the subject last year sponsored by GRI. Its siting-New Orleans-was intentional: Louisiana has led states' efforts to quantify and control toxic emissions from glycol reboiler stacks. This is the first of three articles which derive from that GRI conference. The paper discusses the regulatory push, efforts in Louisiana, two regulations, other states' efforts, company activities, incinerating vapors, condensing vapors, Rocky Mountain conditions, testing, solutions, and Amoco's experience.

• OSTI ID: 6164934
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 91:20; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030800* -- Natural Gas-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290301 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety-- Regional & Global Environmental Aspects-- (1992-)
294003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Natural Gas
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ALCOHOLS
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
CONTROL
DEHYDRATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GASEOUS WASTES
GLYCOLS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INCINERATORS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LOUISIANA
MATERIALS
MATTER
MEETINGS
MOUNTAINS
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS
NORTH AMERICA
OKLAHOMA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
ROCKY MOUNTAINS
STATE GOVERNMENT
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TOLUENE
TOXIC MATERIALS
US CLEAN AIR ACT
USA
VAPOR CONDENSATION
VOLATILE MATTER
WASTES
XYLENES