Featured Stories

A fundamental aspect of air quality compliance is quantifying emissions, which can be achieved with an emissions inventory. Whether for actual emissions or potential emissions, short-term emissions or annual emissions, historic emissions or future emissions, emissions inventories can come in many shapes and sizes. But while conceptually straightforward, emissions inventories require strategic thinking to be representative and accurate. By Lindsey Kroos, ALL4.

Flares are combustion devices used to burn off associated, unwanted or excess combustible gases during many industrial processes, such as oil and gas extraction, refineries, chemical plants, coal mines, bioreactors, and landfills. Flares are used both as safety (pressure relief) devices and as emissions control devices.

According to Emission Reduction Alberta, there has been CAD $607 million in funding to 183 projects with a cumulative worth of CAD $4.1 billion, resulting in a reduction of 34.8 million tons of greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide). With such initiatives, Canada has reached #1 in the Environmental Performance Index 2020. By Gobind Khiani, M.Eng.,PEng., Fellow - Piping/Pipelines.

Luke Chou is no stranger to the world of valves and fugitive emission control. In just ten years, Chou progressed through the ranks of a leading valve manufacturer, from engineer to Technical Team Lead, to Assistant Plant Director. He continuously refines his skills and expands his knowledge of standards, testing procedures and new technologies. Chou recently joined the Sunbelt Supply team as the Quality Assurance Manager.

A.W. Chesterton Company prides itself on providing the best, most innovative low emission sealing solutions to the industrial market. Offering value since 1884 with humble beginnings as a purveyor of steamboat and engineering supplies, the company has grown into a trusted partner for packing & gasketing, mechanical sealing, engineering solutions, and equipment reliability expertise for many industry majors today.

Daily emissions in early April were comparable to those in 2006 due to the recent pandemic. The effect of the confinement was a decrease of daily global CO2 emissions by –17 (–11 to –25) MtCO2 d−1, or –17% (–11 to –25%) by April 2020, relative to levels in 2019. (1)

Optical gas imaging (OGI) refers to thermal imaging technology utilizing high-sensitivity infrared (IR) cameras to detect fugitive emissions of industrial gases. OGI cameras can help operators detect hydrocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, refrigerants and hundreds of other industrial gases quickly, accurately, and safely – without shutting down systems.

The oil and gas industry faces the dual challenge of transitioning to a low carbon energy future to manage the risks of air pollution and climate change, while simultaneously expanding access to the economic and social benefits afforded by petroleum energy to the global population. By Michelle Schulze, Emerson.

Ensuring the robust security of operations and mitigating fugitive gas emissions in industry is a priority. Likewise, it is mandatory to comply with environmental safety protocols, therefore there must be a network of sensors capable of detecting and mitigating risks in areas where hazardous gases or flames can create a precarious workplace. By Francisco Cortes, Sensia Solutions.

Environmental engineers are essential to the protection of the environment as well as the health and safety of vital industry workers. Their careers are dedicated to ensuring that the integrity of equipment used in industrial processes are up to global standards, and are performing on the frontline against leakage and fugitive emissions.