Decarbonisation Technology - February 2024 Issue

The challenge for tank farm operators is how to monitor tank farm emissions and confirm that they are from permitted venting and not from unsecured thief hatches – and how to do so in an automated and efficient manner. Technology suppliers now offer wireless monitoring systems that can be retrofitted easily onto existing thief hatch and tank vent systems to accurately monitor both kinds of devices in real time. These reliable monitoring systems, engineered for use in outdoor environments, give tank farm operators the data they need to ensure that thief hatches are secured and are not the source of fugitive emissions (see Figure 3 ). With the wide range of thief hatch and latch configurations installed across the industry, it is important to select monitoring devices that feature modular designs that can reliably retrofit hatches using simple tools. This also minimises the risk of false positives showing an unsecured hatch is fully latched. Adding wireless monitoring to pressure safety valves complements thief valve monitoring by providing documentation that any emissions that do occur are the result of necessary safety release events. The data make it easier for facilities to satisfy required documentation. Ultimately, this kind of data can also provide oil and gas companies with valuable insights into the health and performance of these widely dispersed and sensitive storage systems. Many highly automated manufacturers in multiple industry segments are pursuing extensive digital transformation programmes that leverage smart

technology to improve their ability to capture and better utilise manufacturing and process data from across their operations to improve efficiency, productivity, and return on investment. This Floor to Cloud approach combines new sensors and smart valve systems to generate critical performance data. These data are aggregated and processed by edge computing systems for real-time reporting on production machine and line data; the same data are then shared in cloud-based analytics platforms for in-depth analysis and process improvements. Insights on the condition of thief hatches, how often they are opened and closed, as well as data on pressure relief valves can be correlated with other data to help improve preventative maintenance practices, guide investments in tank farm replacement and upgrades, and contribute vital data on fugitive emissions reductions programmes that oil and gas companies track for their decarbonisation efforts. Safely expanding blue ammonia production One of the key methods to help the oil and gas industry meet critical decarbonisation goals is carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Carbon capture is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions at the source or directly from the air, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. Once captured, CO2 is then purified, liquefied, and either utilised in other marketable industrial and commercial products or sent for long-term storage. Ammonia is manufactured by combining

Figure 3 Retrofitting tank thief hatches with smart monitoring tools such as the TopWorx Thief Hatch Monitoring Kit from Emerson can help reduce fugitive emissions by ensuring and documenting that hatches are secured when not in use