Emission risk: busting common myths around the risk factors
As we demonstrated in a previous article, – ‘Fugitive Emissions: mitigating the risks at new and existing facilities’ the common belief that older production facilities or process areas are more prone to component integrity and leak problems is not usually the case. KLINGER Atmeco research, covering numerous facilities of different types and ages that experienced component integrity and leak problems disproves this notion.
In fact our research shows that the following factors do not notably increase the risk of emissions:
Facility age
Clearly older facilities have, on average, older equipment and components, however individual items of equipment are eventually replaced, valves and pumps overhauled, and flanges broken and resealed.
Provided this renewal process is done competently, with new sealing technologies displacing older types (where available), the facility risk from loss of component integrity will remain low regardless of the age of the facility.
Subject to a continuing diligent maintenance program and, in particular, continuing operation of a component integrity management system (CIMS), the age of a facility is not a significant leak risk factor in itself.
Component age for non-moving parts
Seals on components with moving parts are subject to wear and leak risk increases as wear occurs.
Non-moving parts, once properly sealed, will generally remain sealed until disturbed, either through the general risk factors of pressure fluctuations or vibration, or through maintenance activities.
Facility type or operating company
KLINGER Atmeco Integrity Services conducts surveys for many companies operating gas and oil producing facilities, gas plants, oil refineries, petrochemical plants, organic extractives plants, printing works, and a variety of other industries.
The leak risk profile of each type of these facilities is similar, regardless of age, or operating company. The biggest difference in leak risk profiling is whether a CIMS has been implemented, and how long it has been active.
The absence of a robust component integrity management system is in itself a major factor in increased emission risk at facilities, regardless of age or facility type.
Without the right component integrity management system in place, it can be difficult to identify and holistically manage the many thousands of components that are critical to the safe, efficient and clean operation of a facility. When it comes to fugitive emissions caused by compromised components, the risks can be high. Talking to an expert can get you on the right path of managing fugitive emissions due to leaking equipment or components.
KLINGER Atmeco Integrity Services is the leading service provider of end-to-end emission management and asset integrity assessment solutions. For 20 years we have worked in numerous types of facilities and have continuing contracts with long-standing local and multi-national clients in the energy, oil and gas, resource, chemical and processing sectors.
Read more about emission management or CIMS.
KLINGER Atmeco Integrity Services
We are the leading service provider of end-to-end emission management and asset integrity assessment solutions. Our services provide a holistic approach to managing and improving the integrity of operating facilities.
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