| Fugitive Emission Tracking Fundamentals |
| Written by Daniel Stouffer | |
| Wednesday, 08 April 2009 | |
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The United States and a host of other foreign countries are focusing on fugitive emission tracking for certain industries. The goal is to identify the amount of substances that are emitted into the atmosphere when a hazardous leak occurs. This will give government officials a better understanding of the amount of greenhouse gases harming the environment each year and contributing to global warming.
The United States and a host of other foreign countries are focusing on fugitive emission tracking for certain industries. The goal is to identify the amount of substances that are emitted into the atmosphere when a hazardous leak occurs. This will give government officials a better understanding of the amount of greenhouse gases harming the environment each year and contributing to global warming. When an unexpected leak of a hazardous substance occurs, and is not contained in a stack, vent, or duct, this is classified as a fugitive emission. Such an occurrence could occur as a result of an equipment leak, a breakdown in the processing procedure, or a problem with maintenance. Leakage can cause harmful gases to enter the environment. Some compounds prove resilient and when transferred to the stratosphere, damaging our protective ozone layer. Fugitive emissions tracking needs have increased over time due to the levels of emissions, both in the United States and abroad. The USA alone is responsible for over 300,000 tons of emissions. Such strict laws have been brought in to try and reduce the harmful effects of emissions upon the ozone layer. The EPA has established a set of rules to address the fugitive emission problem. The rules apply to a number of different industries including existing and newly constructed facilities with operations which utilize refrigerant gas in their heating and cooling systems. Industries affected include those involved with chemical manufacturing, pulp and paper mills, electrical services and petroleum. Fugitive emission tracking of known harmful substances is required by facilities that use or produce them. The EPA has identified a number of dangerous compounds, among them chloroflurocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, methyl bromide, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. A particular concern for fugitive emission problems is with refrigerant gas, because it contains chloroflurocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons, two primary contributors to the weakening of the ozone layer. Furthermore, refrigerant gas is used across many industries in refrigeration and cooling units, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and fire protection systems. When a fugitive emission occurs, businesses are required to track the leakage rate and report it to the EPA. It is important that the severity of the leak and the repair process is documented. In addition, regulations require regular inspections of equipment or processes that involve volatile chemicals. The new fugitive emission regulations provide a more standardized approach to thresholds identified by the U.S. Clean Air Act. These include continuous monitoring, tracking of leaks, and reporting of leak repair and containment. The deadline for the first report submission is early 2011. To prepare for this requirement, many companies are using automated, rather than manual, processes, in particular tracking software programs and web-based applications created by companies who specialize in the area. They ensure compliance and reduce the likelihood of substantial fines. The Article Author: Daniel Stouffer has a lot more information on the importance of good refrigerant gas management and more data concerning the fugitive emission issue.. |
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