Arresting runaway fugitive emissions

Journal Article · Sat May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Pollution Engineering; (United States)

OSTI ID:6433307

Jones, A L ^[1]

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1. Woodward-Clyde Consultants, Lake Charles, LA (United States)

Fugitive emissions are losses of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and volatile hazardous air pollutants (VHAPs) through the sealing mechanism that separates the process fluid in equipment from the environment. Due to the large number of valves, pumps and other process equipment used in chemical processing industries, fugitive emissions can account for up to one-third of routine VOC emissions from a facility. Existing air quality regulations mandate leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs to reduce fugitive VOC emissions from equipment leaks. LDAR regulations are word practice standards that define a concentration or action level at which an affected component is considered to be leaking, and specify the time frame in which the leak must be repaired. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that a properly executed LDAR program that repairs equipment with leak concentrations of 10,000 parts per million by volume (ppmv) or greater can reduce fugitive emissions by 60% to 70%. LDAR programs also save a facility money by reducing the loss of valuable product from equipment leaks. This article reviews regulatory programs that can trigger implementation of LDAR and describes the elements of a successful LDAR program.

• OSTI ID: 6433307
• Journal Information: Pollution Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Pollution Engineering; (United States) Vol. 25:10; ISSN PLENBW; ISSN 0032-3640
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
CHEMICAL PLANTS
COMPLIANCE
CONTROL
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
EQUIPMENT
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
IMPLEMENTATION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LEAKS
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
PROCESS CONTROL
REGULATIONS
REPAIR
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VOLATILITY