Practice and development of leak detection and repair technology in petroleum refining and petrochemical industry in the United States
The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)was the first in the world to introduce leak detection and repair technology(LDAR)to control fugitive volatile organic compounds(VOCs)emissions from equipment leaks in petroleum refining and petrochemical industry.They have experienced the primary(1983-1999)and enhanced(around 2000-2020)stages,and is currently in the early stage of technological innovation.Their development history and experience are significant reference for policies,regulations,standards and techniques related to LDAR in China.This paper outlines the foundation and development of LDAR,technological progress and quality improvement in the United States,as well as the equivalent emission reduction policies and alternative means of emission control for LDAR.Additionally,the progress of technical innovations and the application such as optical gas imaging(OGI)detection,low-emission techniques,sensor-based automated and continuous detection and other high temporal and spatial resolution monitoring technologies is discussed and compared to LDAR.The future development of LDAR technology upgrades and innovations is explored.In general,the United States lead the world in the development and application of innovative LDAR technologies such as sensor-based leak detection,OGI detection and low-emission sealing techniques.Intelligent leak detection sensor network will probably be the dominant direction of LDAR technology innovation or next-generation LDAR research and development.Low-emission sealing technology will probably be an important auxiliary method to LDAR,while OGI will be an important alternative and supplementary LDAR detection technology.
environmentpollutionmeasurementleak detection and repairpetroleum refining and petrochemical industry