8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 1/17
TRINIDAD BULK TRADERS LIMITED
ETHANOL EMISSION TESTING REPORT
FIELD TESTING CARRIED OUT BY: DARLENE K OONJAL & DEVI RAMBARAN REPORT PREPARED BY: DARLENE K OONJAL & DEVI RAMBARAN
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 2/17
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Air quality 2
-emission survey
-emission measurements
The purpose of ethanol emission testing
5
Sampling points for emission testing
7
Results 8
Conclusions
17
AIR QUALITY CONTROL
1
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 3/17
Air quality control needs vary from small areas such as industrial parks
influenced by more than one emission sources, to those from large
areas, such as an urban area. Air pollution refers to the presence in the
atmosphere of one or more contaminants in quantities/and or
characteristics that will, over a period be injurious to or unreasonably
interfere with public health and welfare or natural environmental
processes. Contaminants may be categorized as particulate matter
and gases and their associated forms, including dust, smoke, fumes,
mist and vapour.
Generally, sources of air contaminants may be classified as
• stationary,
• mobile or
• fugitive (in which T.B.T.L’s ethanol emission would be
categorised).
They may be attributed to point sources, such as industrial stack
emissions; transportation activities, and uncontrolled sources
(fugitive). A substance is not normally identified as an air contaminant
until its presence and concentration contribute to a deleterious effect.
Air contaminants originate in a wide variety of chemical compositions
and different physical states and are emitted from a diversity of
sources.
CHARACTERIZATION
The characterization of an emission stream begins with a survey of
facility operations and determination of emission locations. The
2
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 4/17
emissions must be quantified through a sampling and measurement
program and in some cases ambient air monitoring may be required or
desirable.
EMISSION SURVEY
The first step in characterizing air pollution from an industrial facility is
the emission survey, which locates sources and defines quantities for
all air contaminants.
Source Identification:
The identification of emission sources begins with a review of process
flow sheets and associated data. With the design drawings at hand, an
inspection of the plant may be done to verify available records and
provide input. Design drawings were referred to relating to the plant
structure as well as Tank Farm to properly indicate where specific
pipes and valves were located in relation to the transport and storage
of the ethanol product. This enabled us to locate ideal testing
locations.
Emission Quantification--Compliance Program: Source testing is
required to define needs to achieve compliance, (Draft Air Pollutions
Rules, as well as OSHA) to demonstrate effectiveness of new control
techniques, or to provide records of continuing compliance based on
quantitative field results from individual sources.
THE APPLICATION OF EMISSION MEASUREMENTS
Measurement of plant emissions provides a database for determination
of needs for
new control equipment
3
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 5/17
effectiveness of existing control equipment
compliance with emission regulations and/or permit
requirements
losses of products or by-products via the emission
THE PURPOSE OF ETHANOL EMISSION TESTING
Fugitive emissions may be sufficient to cause violations of ambient airquality standards even after implementation of source controls.
Fugitive chemical emissions as a gas or as liquid emitting gas may
occur as an uncontrolled release from an industrial process, and
similar control approaches to those used for particulates may apply.
Fugitive emissions may also occur from leaking equipment. The
4
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 6/17
pollutants of most concern are volatile organic compounds. A problem
arises when the number of relatively small sources from equipment
leaks and other non-process sources accumulate to an undesirable
level. Typical sources include leaks from:
• Valves
• Pumps
• Compressors
• Pressure-relief valves
• Sampling connections
•
Open-ended lines• Flanges
Emission control of these equipment-related sources is unit specific.
Valves: With the exception of check and relief valves, a stem is used
to operate an industrial process valve. A source of a fugitive gas
emission comes from a failure of the stem to be adequately sealed.
The failure may be caused by improper installation, deterioration
overtime, and/or wear from use.
Pumps: the typical fugitive gas emissions from pumps occur because
of sealant failure.
Sampling connections: Since purging of sampling lines is a source of
fugitive emissions, closed-purge sampling systems should be used.
Particularly in the chemical process industry, a plant may have many
open-ended valves and lines to drain, purge or vent a process fluid.
Open-ended lines: particularly in the chemical process industry, a
plant may have open-ended valves and lines to drain, purge or vent a
process fluid.
5
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 7/17
The emission monitoring has been implemented to ensure that
releases do not adversely affect the health of the workers at T.B.T.L’s
plant. The majority of the monitoring would be done at ground level to
determine the effect it would have on the workers. This ensures that
the OSHA requirements have been met and continuously monitored as
well as keeping with the environmental standards proposed by the
local environmental body, the Environmental Management Authority
(EMA).
SAMPLING POINTS FOR EMISSION TESTING
There are several points on T.B.T.L’s plant and in Tank Farm that
requires monitoring in order to detect leaks and faulty equipment. The
following sites have been identified as the preferred sampling points.
Also indicated are the sampling times.
1. Tank Farm-Tank 20 when there is loading and lifting of
product.
2. Tank Farm-All Tanks (20, 70, 42, 43) when they are inactive.
3. Tank Farm-Tanks 70, 42 and 43 when there are loading and
lifting of feedstock.
6
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 8/17
4. Shift Tanks located on T.B.T.L’s plant- when there is product
lifting and no activity.
5. Pump House- at the 16” Line when there is loading and no
activity.
NOTE: Measurements at Tank Farm would include one sample
done at the base of the tank near the main valve and at the
top of the tank near the Dip port.
The above sampling points have been chosen since these are key
areas where there would be the transfer and storage of ethanol. There
would be T.BT.L personnel as well as contractual workers interacting in
some of these areas on a daily basis, for instance the Shift Tanks and
as such, the sampling points reflect where there may be the most
exposure to ethanol fumes.
RESULTS OF ETHANOL EMISSION TESTING
Table 1.0 indicates the Results for the first round of Ethanol Emission
tests carried out at T.B.T.L’s plant and associated infrastructure(s).
CONCENTRATION OF ETHANOL EMISSIONPERTAINING TO TBTL OPERATIONS
DATESURVEYED
LOCATIONOPERATION
INPROGRESS
CONCENTRATION OF ETHANOL
DETECTED(ppm)
PERMISSABLE
LIMIT(ppm)
OBSERVATIONS/COMMENTS
21.08.2009 Tank 20-Tank
Farm Tank wasinactive
Below detectionlimit
1000ppm(OSHA)
Taken at valve locateat the base of the tan
7
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 9/17
02.09.2009 Tank 20-Tank
Farm Tank wasinactive
1000ppm1000ppm(OSHA)
Met the OSHArequirement
03.09.2009 Tank 42-Tank
Farm Tank wasinactive
>4000ppm1000ppm(OSHA)
Due to the height ofthe tank (50 ft) off th
ground poses nosignificant health risk
to workers.
03.09.2009 Tank 43-Tank
Farm Tank wasinactive
3000ppm1000ppm(OSHA)
Due to the height othe tank (51.75 ft) ofthe ground poses nosignificant health risk
to workers.
03.09.2009 Tank 70-Tank
Farm Tank wasinactive
200ppm1000ppm(OSHA)
Below the OSHArequirement
03.09.200916"line at
Pump HousePlant Down
Below detectionlimit
1000ppm(OSHA)
Below the OSHArequirement
ETHANOL EMISSION TESTS CARRIED OUT ON AN OPEN SAMPLE
26.08.2009Shift TankArea (opensample)
Plant Down 500ppm1000ppm(OSHA)
Line between T9521 & T9522
26.08.2009 Shift Tank Plant Down 200ppm1000ppm(OSHA) T9521
G
8
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 10/17
The above graph illustrates the test that was carried out on an open
sample on the plant. In particular, it was taken on an open line
between T9521 and T9522 Shift tanks. This was done to confirm the
ability of the Drager Tubes to effectively detect and measure ethanol
fumes.
G
9
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 11/17
The above graph illustrates the result for Tank 20 (base valve), and as
can be seen it is well within the OSHA specification, and therefore
poses no significant health and safety as well as environmental risk.
p
m )
The above graph of the ethanol tests atop Tank 20 indicates that the
result is 1000ppm, which is the specification set by OSHA. It poses a
health and safety as well as environmental risk; however, it does not
exceed the limit.
10
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 12/17
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 13/17
(p
p m )
The above graph indicates the ethanol emission results for Tank 43
(top). It can be seen that the results exceed that of the OSHA
specification, however, due to its location (Tank Farm- refer to analysis
of results) the ethanol emissions would not greatly affect humans or
the environment.
12
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 14/17
G
(p
p m )
The above graph indicates that the ethanol emissions detected at Tank
70 (Top) are within the OSHA specified limit and as such does not pose
a significant heath and safety as well as environmental risk.
13
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 15/17
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 16/17
From Table 1.0, it can be seen that there are some instances where
the concentration of the ethanol detected is above that stipulated by
occupational standards. It is important, however, to note the sampleareas in which these readings were detected.
It was detected in Tank Farm, atop Tanks 42 and 43. These tanks are
located in an area of a considerable distance away from residential
zones and therefore poses minimal or no threat to humans.
They are approximately 50 feet (Tank 42) and 51.75 feet (Tank 43)
from the ground. Taking into consideration also at this height, there
are mild to strong gusts of wind, which would ensure that there is no
local build up of the ethanol fumes. As a result, they pose no threat to
human health since the chances of such an exposure is minimal due to
the mere location and conditions of the Tanks.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of the ethanol emission tests being conducted at T.B.T.L
is to detect any leaks in its plant and supporting infrastructure, as well
15
8/8/2019 Modified Ethanol Emission Report'
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/modified-ethanol-emission-report 17/17
as to ensure that the ethanol emissions do not pose any considerable
health effects to humans. Furthermore, this would also contribute to
the continuous air-monitoring program at T.B.T.L and ensure that there
are no safety hazards posed by the fumes.
The results from the first ethanol emission trials indicate that there are
considerable emissions detected on the tanks located on Tank Farm-
Tanks 42 & 43. However, these would not affect humans due to its
location (that is height off the ground) and the conditions at
those heights (winds).
The tests conducted on the plant (Shift Tanks), Pump House and Tanks
70 & 20 all were well within the OSHA permissible limits of 1000ppm.
It is therefore a reasonable conclusion that T.B.T.L’s activities do not
pose a significant environmental or health and safety threat to its
workers as well as surrounding residents.
16