Application of Portable CH<sub>4</sub> Detector Based on TDLAS Technology in Natural Gas Purification Plant

oleh: Yi Liu, Qianqian Shang, Lang Chen, Erxiao Wang, Xinyu Huang, Xiaobing Pang, Youhao Lu, Lei Zhou, Jue Zhou, Zhiwen Wang, Yan Lyu

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-11-01

Deskripsi

Methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) is the main pollutant in oil and gas production. The detection and accounting of CH<sub>4</sub> is an important issue in the process of greenhouse gas control and emission reduction in oil and gas industry. In this study, a portable CH<sub>4</sub> detector based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology was deployed. The three-dimensional distribution of CH<sub>4</sub> in a natural gas purification plant in Sichuan was obtained through vertical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight observations and ground mobile observations. According to the mass balance method, the emission of CH<sub>4</sub> on 30 m above ground level (AGL) and 60 m AGL in this site was about 0.012 kg/s (±42% at 1σ) and 0.034 kg/s (±47% at 1σ), respectively, in one day. The vertical distribution showed that the CH<sub>4</sub> concentration reached the maximum (2.75 ± 0.19 ppm) with height of 0 to 100 m AGL. The CH<sub>4</sub> concentration from 100 to 300 m AGL showed a downward trend with height. Atmospheric instability at high altitude and high wind speed promoted the diffusion of CH<sub>4</sub>. The CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations of horizontal distribution on 30 m AGL and 60 m AGL were 2.48 ± 0.11 ppm and 2.76 ± 0.34 ppm. In the observation of mobile campaigns, the connecting equipment of natural gas treatment facilities was prone to leakage, such as in valves and flanges. CH<sub>4</sub> leakage was also detected at the torch mouth, especially when there was an open flame at the torch mouth. During the mobile movement investigation, the downwind measurement (OTM-33A) was applied to determine the overall CH<sub>4</sub> emission rate shortly after patrolling the site. This work plays a vital role in optimizing the operation and maintenance of natural gas production stations pipe network, ensuring human safety and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.