In May 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed rule that would further control toxic air emissions from petroleum refineries. This proposed rule is based on EPA’s risk and technology review of two existing emissions standards: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Petroleum Refineries (Refinery MACT 1) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Petroleum Refineries: Catalytic Cracking Units, Catalytic Reforming Units, and Sulfur Recovery Units (Refinery MACT 2).
On September 29, 2015, EPA finalized the methodology to monitor benzene emissions in parts per billion (ppb) at refinery fencelines. This monitoring requirement uses passive diffusive tube monitoring with samplers mounted on a support structure.
To comply with the new rulemaking, petroleum refineries are faced with the challenges of securely collecting data, performing accurate data analysis and calculations, developing reports for appropriate agencies including the public, and archiving data. Among the most critical obstacles for facilities are reducing human-induced errors during data collection, combining meteorological data with lab and field data, understanding outside influences beyond facility boundaries, tracking corrective actions, and creating an easily auditable process.
To meet these challenges, Trihydro developed
Fenceline ProTM, a proactive, transparent, and secure software solution that enables refineries to make timely, efficient, and intelligent decisions resulting in reduced costs and less stress. Fenceline Pro connects the refinery’s field monitoring operations, metrological station and laboratory data to securely collect, validate, and aggregate data. The tool performs calculations, alert stakeholders, refinery activity logs, and provides both visual analysis and access to data. Fenceline Pro
TM is built on a SQL server platform.
Fenceline Pro
TM is a fully integrated system with a straight-forward user interface that provides refinery personnel the ability to accurately and efficiently collect and monitor benzene data at the fenceline. Fenceline Pro
TM maintains data integrity and features an intuitive dashboard, automated alerts, and geographic information system (GIS) visuals to facilitate communication with internal and external stakeholders. The tool features corrective action management tools, immediate access to archived data, report generation, and EPA upload tools.
Trihydro is offering Fenceline Pro
TM as a stand-alone IT solution to fenceline monitoring. Fenceline Pro
TM can also be packaged with Trihydro’s technical and field experts to assist refineries in the implementation and collection of benzene data.