COLORADO APCD IR Camera Survey Program Guidance/Protocol (rev. 11/8/11)

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COLORADO APCD IR Camera Survey Program Guidance/Protocol (rev. 11/8/11)

Disclaimer: This document is designed to assist regulatory agency staff in conducting IR camera surveys

at upstream and midstream oil & gas facilities as part of a compliance assurance program pursuant to

Clean Air Act (CAA) regulatory requirements. This document briefly outlines how the IR camera is used

and suggests specific equipment found to be common sources of leaks to observe using the IR camera. It

does not address, nor intended to address, any necessary training, health and safety, evidence handling,

or other such requirements necessary to conduct an IR camera survey. Adherence to this checklist, or

lack thereof, does not prevent an agency from taking appropriate compliance assurance actions (i.e.,

seeking information, enforcement, etc.). APCD reserves the right to change this document, at any time,

and without prior notice.

I. General IR Camera Usage Tips

A. Do’s

1. Read and follow the IR camera manufacturer’s guideline and specifications

1

_.

2. Allow about five minutes after starting the camera before beginning to film: when the

camera initially starts, a sterling motor is engaged to cool the infrared sensing element.

B. Don’t

1. Point the camera at intense energy sources (e.g. the sun, lasers, etc.) it will damage the

camera.

2. Do not charge the battery from a car lighter and only charge the battery in ambient

temperatures of 32 to 113˚F.

3. Do not over clean the IR camera lens. Over cleaning the IR camera lens can damage the

chemical coating on the lens itself (if you need to clean lens, refer to manual).

II. General IR Camera Calibration & Operation Practices

A. The operator must follow the IR camera manufacturer’s guideline and specifications.

B. Set the current date and time in the camera and turn on the GPS setting.

C. When performing a Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) inspection of a gas plant for the purposes

of NSPS KKK (e.g. to assess a leak rate of a random sample of components versus historical

reported leak rates), the inspection must conform to the Alternative Work Practice (AWP) in 40

CFR § 60.18(g) and the leak detection must be performed prior to using the IR camera.

D. To survey a site, it is helpful to scan the environment in High Sensitivity Mode (HSM) to see gas

movement and then switch to Auto or Manual mode to record leak.

E. When emissions are found, they are reachable, and if the equipment is available, use a Toxic

Vapor Analyzer (TVA), Organic Vapor Analyzer (OVA), Photo Ionization Detector (PID), or other

similar tool to determine the concentration of the leak.

III. Emission Point Details: Recording Emissions

A. When recording a leak with the IR camera, switch recording from non-Infrared mode to

conventional mode to capture the emission point in the same frame/video number to show

there is not steam present.

B. Measure or estimate the distance, in feet, to the leak or emission source and note in Table 1-7.

C. Record at least 30 seconds of footage in grayscale, “white” hot mode, holding the camera still.

1_{This document was based on a FLIR GF-320 IR camera and some features may or may not be available on your}

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D. If recording emissions from a thermally active source (e.g., flares, engines, turbines), pan the

camera away from the thermal source until it is out of the viewing screen and hold it there for a

few seconds to let the camera adjust. This will allow for a clearer plume contrast against the

environment. Similarly, changing the “equalization mode” from manual to histogram will also

help to minimize the contrast of the picture.

E. If possible, obtain the chemical speciation of the leak from the site representative.

F. If possible, obtain any information from the site representative regarding operating conditions

(i.e., normal operating conditions versus upset conditions) at the time the leak or emissions are

observed.

G. Record any relevant quantitative process data available.

H. Fill out the emission point details in Table 1-Table 7.

IV. Specific Equipment to Observe at Oil and Gas facilities.

A. Inspection points at well sites

• Piping routing emissions from storage tanks

• Enclosed flare/combustor (top)

• Wellhead, pumping jack

B. Inspection points at compressor stations

• Piping routing emissions from storage tanks

• Pipe routing of emissions from glycol dehydrator

A. Still vent emissions

B. Flash tank emissions

• Reciprocating Internal Compression Engines (RICE)*

• Compressor skids*

• Emissions control device on the engine (pre-catalyst exhaust leaks)*

• Hydrocarbon dew point control/JT skids

• Unintentional gas carry-through (e.g. blowdown vent stacks)

• Enclosed flare/combustor (top)

C. Inspection points at gas processing plants

• All the same inspection points as compressor stations

• Amine units (routing of still vent and flash tank emissions)

• Turbines*

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Date (Month/Day/Year): _____________________________________________________________

Facility Name, Owner/Operator (company) & AIRS ID: ______________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Ambient Conditions, (e.g. – Sky Conditions, Ambient Temperature, Humidity, Wind Speed &

Direction):_________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Inspector(s):_______________________________________________________________________

Table 1 - Inspection Points at Compressor Stations and Gas processing plants

EG/TEG/DEG Dehydrator or Amine Unit Emission Points

Observation/

Inspection Point Emissions Found? Leak details

1. The emissions routing of the Flash tank on the dehydrator or amine unit  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

 Conventional (non-Infrared) video captured?  White-hot Polarity?

 High-Sensitivity Mode?

 Emissions leak seen with naked eye (shadows, heat waves, condensation, ice, etc., visible)?_____________________________________________  Emissions leak smelled (odor)?__________________________________  Emissions leak heard (hissing or whistling sound, for ex.)?____________

___________________________________________________________ 2. Glycol or amine regeneration still vents  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

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Oil & Condensate Storage tanks

Observation/

3. “Closed Vent” system (all tank emissions that are routed to a control device)  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

___________________________________________________________

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Flaring – Enclosed or Candlestick

Observation/

4. Flare Tip*  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

___________________________________________________________

Remember to pan the camera away from the hot flare tip until it is out of the viewing screen and hold it

there for a few seconds to let the camera adjust. This will allow for a clearer plume contrast against the

environment. Follow the plume as far as possible.

Describe:

• Visual (Flame - ugly orange, small blue flame, transparent, not visible, etc.; Steam plume exiting the

tip)

• Sound (high pitch indicative of a lot of steam emanating from nozzles, fan running, etc.)

NOTES: If extended hydrocarbon plumes are observed from the flare tip ask for the following

information:

• Source(s) of waste gas stream(s) directed to the flare

• Volumetric flow rate of waste gas – how could they estimate such if they do not measure (e.g. if

dehydrator emissions routed to flare, use GLYCalc w/ contemperaneous operating parameters)

• BTU content of waste gas stream - how could they estimate such if they do not measure

• Volumetric flow rate of steam or air assist – If they do not measure this, then ask for the fan speed or

amperage of the fan (factory spec curves can also provide flow rate vs. rpm) for air assisted flares or

note the valve position for the steam or air assist. For fans, also note whether single, dual, or

variable speed.

• If possible, record further IR camera observations of the flare with the steam or air assist rate

lowered.

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Engines & Turbines 5. RICE (Reciprocating Internal Compression Engine)*  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

___________________________________________________________ 6. Turbines*  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

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Compressor Skids & RICE/Turbine Emissions Control Device 7. Compressor Skid*  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

___________________________________________________________ 8. Emissions Control Device (pre-catalyst exhaust leaks)*  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

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Hydrocarbon dew point skids (a.k.a – Joules Thompson or JT Skid)

Observation/

9. Where are the Hydrocarbon emissions from the skid routed? __________________________ a. Is that point controlled? _______________

10. If answered no to #9 a., flash emissions recorded?  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Picture #:______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

___________________________________________________________ 11. Piping, valves and fitting on the skid  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Video #: ______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________

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Leaks & Unintentional Gas Carry Through

12. All Vent Stacks

 Blowdown Vent Stack  Oil Sump Pit  Glycol Drain Tank  Other: _____________ _____________ _____________  Yes  No  N/A Video #: ______________________ Video #: ______________________ Distance/Direction to Leak: _______________________________________ Equipment Unit # (Point/Permit) & Description:_______________________ ______________________________________________________________ Leak Description:________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Operator Informed of Leak? ____________ Operator Informed of Leak?

____________  Conventional (non-Infrared) video captured?

 White-hot Polarity?  High-Sensitivity Mode?

___________________________________________________________

13. All Vent Stacks

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Leaks & Unintentional Gas Carry Through

14. All Vent Stacks

___________________________________________________________

15. All Vent Stacks

___________________________________________________________ * - if emissions are found use section I.D to increase resolution of the camera in the range of the emissions.