Tank Degassing – Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Does my Degassing Contractor know what can go wrong when bringing the tank through the explosive range and eliminate that hazard?
  • Have I checked the experience level of my Degassing Contractor — how long has the company been doing this? Do I want them learning on my dime?
  • Does my Degassing Contractor have an assured grounding & bonding program? Does he even know what that is?
  • Does this contractor have many references or are they learning at my expense?
  • Is the Degassing Contractor a specialty degassing contractor or a “full service jack-of-all-trades-expert-at-none” contractor?
  • Does the Degassing Unit Operator know how to calibrate his instruments? Does he know that if he doesn’t or he forgets to take a single reading, the plant environmental manager will need to report a violation or Title V Permit Deviation?
  • Has the Degassing or Vapor Control Unit been subject to a Hazardous Operability Study (HAZOP) by other major oil companies?
  • Does my Degassing Contractor have a TRIR of 0 and an A rating in ISNET? If not, what are my contractor’s safety stats?
  • Does the size of the unit matter or should I just hire the company with the lowest hourly rate?
  • Does Flow Rate (SCFM) and BTU/hr really matter or should I just use these ICEngines and tiny thermal oxidizers?

While you ask these questions, also consider:

     One thing many companies are considering is the longer term impact of not controlling these emissions. Like dumping waste in a landfill; the waste doesn’t go away and you are always responsible for it. Some major petrochemical companies look at toxic air emissions in the same way. Will operators who dump air pollution unabated into the atmosphere be held accountable some day for calculating those emissions and then having to offset them or pay a fee of some sort… some think so, preferring to deal with it now, using contractors to combust the vapors with 99.9% efficiency and provide the very important report. The report is the most critical part and must contain the details for the calibration of the monitoring device per USEPA Method 21 and supporting source test via USEPA Method 18 or 25A.

    As the tank & vessel degassing evolves and moves from West to East and every in-between, tank owners are going to learn how to most efficiently degas their tanks. Some full service environmental companies are going to jump in to the degassing game because they see a buck can be made, not realizing the dangers and compliance issues. One safety mistake can result in a catastrophe. One small error on the Compliance Report will result in an EPA Title V Deviation or Notice of Violation. That is why 100% of the tank degassing work in California and 90% of the degassing work in Texas is now performed by specialty contractors that do one thing. Envent does one thing and does it better than anyone in the business. 

    Envent Corporation engineers are the best in the business. Our mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineers are the best in the industry. When it comes to: MSS Compliance, USCG Marine Loading, Barge Loading, Tank Degassing, Vessel Degassing, Tank Refloating, Vapor Loading Calculations, Loading Rack Vapor Controls, Scrubber Vapor Controls, Odor Controls, call an Envent engineer at 888-997-9465, email us at Solutions@Envent.net for specific contact information.