Challenge

In anticipation of an increase in benzene emissions regulation, a Canadian facility wanted to proactively reduce their outputs for benzene loading operations. Normally, this facility would load both barges and railcars with liquid benzene for shipment to their customers. They would need to implement a vapor control system that could seamlessly integrate with these operations while reducing benzene emissions to near-zero levels.

 

Solution

Envent would provide this customer with two separate vapor control systems to support these loading operations.

 

(1) For the barge loading, Envent would provide an EDSU (Envent Dock Safety Unit) and EMECS thermal oxidizer to safely enrich displaced barge vapors as the vessel fills with product. The EDSU is constructed in full compliance to USCG 33 CFR 154 Subpart P to reduce explosion hazards for marine vessels and provide overpressure/vacuum protection for the barge containment. Vapors that are treated by the EDSU are sent to an EMECS thermal oxidizer, a mobile VCU capable of combusting VOC with upwards of 99.9% destruction efficiency.

 

(2) Similarly, for the railcar loading, Envent would provide an EMTOS thermal oxidizer unit to capture emissions purged from the railcar. The EMTOS is capable of high-flow vapor control while also achieving 99.9% destruction efficiency. Envent worked alongside the customer to integrate its logic interface with the customer’s PLC to ensure that loading could not occur unless the thermal oxidizer was fully operational.

 

Both of these systems required equipment that was complaint with Canadian federal statutes and guidelines. Envent worked directly with the local district authority to ensure that the electrical and fuel-burning appliance aspects met the requirements of the relevant CSA codes. Envent was able to manage this relationship, receive approval to set up the temporary unit, and arrange a field inspection for the system.

 

Benefit

Thanks to the integration of both vapor control systems, this customer has been able to continue their loading operations with an immediate impact on the reduction of benzene emissions. Fence line monitors stationed near these operations have had a significant reduction in non-compliance events thanks to the efficiency of the provided combustion systems reducing fugitive benzene emissions to the PPB range. Although Canada is imposing stricter HAP regulations, Envent is able to provide turnkey systems, such as these, to support our customers’ goal of maintaining environmental compliance.