Detecting fugitive emissions
We organise programmes to detect and reduce fugitive emissions of nitrogen, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide.
IDENTIFYING AND QUANTIFYING GAS LEAKS
Bureau Veritas proposes an optimised method assisted by its software GEF Utilities. It can be used to carry out leak detection programmes to reduce fugitive emissions of all “Utility” fluids.
The leak detection technology we use quantifies the flow rates of the associated emissions. We can therefore estimate the annual financial losses generated by each leak. This technology can detect leaks that are both accessible and inaccessible (remote detection and measurement).
The aim is to optimise your consumption by monitoring equipment and providing several monitoring tools:
- Detailed report
- List of leaks in order of flow and/or financial loss
- Repair orders (photos of leaks, identification on drawings, etc.)
- Logs conserved for long-term monitoring
- etc.
In regulatory terms, this service meets the criteria of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2010/75/EU.
How you benefit:
- Significant savings by detecting and repairing leaks on these networks, thereby optimising your energy consumption. This approach of reducing energy losses by leak detection and repair is a perfect fit for ISO 50001 certification.
- Prevention of major industrial risks. Depending on the gas, the danger caused by a leak lies in its explosive or flammable properties.
- Protect the health and safety of employees and local residents, in light of the odours or irritations caused by some gas leaks.
OPTIMISING PROCESSES BY DETECTING UTILITY FLUID LEAKS
NITROGEN (N2)
Nitrogen is the most common element in ambient air (80%) but it remains very costly to produce on an industrial scale. The leak tightness of nitrogen pipelines represents a major issue in the energy optimisation of industrial sites.
Nitrogen is an excellent inerting and blowing gas, making it one of the most consumed industrial fluids. In terms of leaks, nitrogen pipelines are not exempt. Many unsuspected leaks can be detected on these networks. They cause heavy financial losses and represent a major safety risk.
METHANE (CH4)
Methane (CH4) can be transported in gas form, generally by gas pipeline, or in liquid form by tankers. It can also be used as a “utility fluid”, in particular supplying industrial furnace burners.
In addition to the risks inherent to its physical properties (flammability and explosiveness), methane has been considered a greenhouse gas since 1976.
AMMONIA (NH3)
The detection and repair of ammonia leaks improves the health and safety of personnel working in the sectors concerned, as well as neighbouring populations:
- Reduction in the risk of ignition or explosion
- Reduction in the risk of irritation (skin, eyes)
- Reduction in the risk of inhalation (olfactory nuisance)
We should note that olfactory pollution caused by ammonia emissions from pipeline leaks are immediately reduced by our LDAR (Leak Detection And Repair) programmes.
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
Carbon dioxide is the reference greenhouse gas. Its Global Warming Potential (GWP) is 1. It is a high added-value fluid. To optimise its consumption and make substantial savings, it is essential to ensure pipelines are leaktight.
Reducing CO2 emissions is a major issue for our whole planet.