Air Pollution in Petroleum

Industry
Introduction
Sources of Air Pollution in Oil Field
Classification of Pollutants
 Types of Pollutants
Harmful Effects of Air Pollution
 Precautionary Measures to Check Air
Pollution
Introduction:

The exploration & exploitation activities of

petroleum industry often causes
environmental degradation that have
significant impact on quality of air, water, soil,
vegetation and on health unless adequate
preventive measures are planned.
Introduction (Cont…..)
It is also true that we cannot get absolutely
pure air. All our developmental activities that
are concentrated towards utilization of HC
resources or improving the quality of life, lead
to various environmental problems and air
pollution is one of the most important area
concern.
However , it is possible for us to minimize the
impact of such developmental activities on
quality of air if, only, we are aware of the
hazards and phenomena involved in air
pollution apart statutory significance.
Introduction (Cont…..)
Environment:
“ The objects or the region surrounding
anything”.

“It is the sum total of influences which modify

and determine the development of life and
character.”
Introduction (Cont…..)
Environmental Pollution:

It may be defined as “ the introduction by man

into the environment by substances or energy
liable to cause hazards to human health, harm
to living resources & ecological systems,
damage to structures or interference with
legitimate uses of the environment.
Introduction (Cont…..)
Air Pollution:

“ The presence of one or more contaminants

such as dust fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke or
vapour in such quantities that are injurious
to human, plant or animal life or to property.
Introduction (Cont…..)
Requisites for Air Pollution:
There are 3 basic requisites to enter any air
pollution problem :
 There must be an emission.
 After emission it must be confined to a
restricted volume of air.
 The polluted air must interfere with the
physical, mental and social. well being of
people
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION IN OIL
FIELD:
The various sources of air contamination which
are encountered in oil fields are :
1. The exhaust of derrick engines and
generators, pump engines, compressors etc.
2. Pungent fumes, odours and dust from
cementing units and from mud banks.
3. Evaporation of crude oil from oil pits in the
form of vapours during production testing .
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION IN OIL
FIELD (Cont……) :
4. Discharge of natural gas directly to the
atmosphere during production testing.
5. Burning of the oil from effluent pit.
6. Flaring of natural gas to the atmosphere.
7. Burning of gas and effluent water from the
flare pit in the air directly from various oil
terminals.
8. Presence of smoke , Fog, Mist & wind in
which S.P.M. remains suspended near the
earth surface.
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION IN OIL
FIELD (Cont……) :
9. Oxidation of various pollutants .
10. Depletion of the natural resources &
decrease in forest areas disturbing the
eco system.
11. The weather & orography of oil fields.
12. Discharge of associated low pressure
natural gas to the atmosphere.
13. Increase in surrounding temp. due to
flare.
14. Glare effect of flare which adversely
effect the nearby vegetation.
Classification of Pollutants:
Pollutants or contaminants generated due to various
operational & developmental activities may be
classified as:
1. Primary Pollutants : These are emitted on a
consequence of a process. These exist in air in
the same form as it was discharged. E.g. the
exhaust of oxides of nitrogen from a car.
2. Secondary Pollutants: They are formed as
products of some reactions, generally, the
existing pollutants react with some other some
substance in the atmosphere. e.g. smog formed
when oxides of nitrogen combine with HCs in the
presence of sunlight
Primary Pollutants : This can be categorized:

(A) PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS ----- Fine

particles suspended in air or gas and

(B) GASEOUS POLLUTANTS ----- such as

sulphur, nitrogen, carbon and halogen
containing compounds.
 PARTICULATE POLLUTANTS: This refers to fine
particles that are more than 0.01 micron in size.
These can be fine droplets of liquids as in fogs
and mists or solid particles like soot or those
suspended in smoke.
Particulate Pollutant Category
TYPE DESCRIPTION
Aerosols Particles dispersed in gases , < 0.01 m
Dusts Solid particle , >1 m
Fog Dispersion of fine water/ ice in air or gas visible
to eye
Fume Solid particles formed by condensation from
volatile state , <1m
Haze Combination of water droplets, pollutant gas
and /or dust, <1 m
 Particulate Pollutant Category

TYPE DESCRIPTION
Smog Combination of smoke and fog
Smoke Fine gas borne particles as a result
of incomplete combustion of fuels,
> m
Soot Particles of carbon or HCs or their
agglomerates combined with tar
formed during incomplete
combustion of fuels, usually, liquid.
 Particulate Pollutant Category
The sources of these Particulate pollutants
include:
1. Natural Sources: Winds, Drought, Storm,
Forest Fires etc.

2. Industrial /Anthropogenic sources:

Industries, Incineration, Vehicle exhausts etc.

3. Household Sources

4. Agricultural Sources
(B) GASEOUS POLLUTANTS:

Gaseous pollutants such as SOx, Nox,

mercury or organic vapour are miscible with air
in all proportions. They are generated during
combustion and other industrial process.
SECODARY POLLUTANTS:

As a result of chemical reactions between

volatile organic compounds ( emitted from
vehicles, industries) and oxides of nitrogen
( generated through transportation & industrial
sources), a principal component of smog is
formed.

e.g. 1. Oxidation of NO to NO2

2. Oxidation of Hydrocarbon
3. Formation of Ozone
On shore Air Pollution :
The main sources of continuous or non –
continuous air emissions resulting from
onshore activities include:
 Combustion sources from power & heat
generation.
 Use of compressors, pumps & engines
( boilers, turbines etc.)
 Flaring & Venting of HCs.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):
The principal pollutants from these air
emission sources :
1. Nitrogen Oxides
2. Sulfur Oxides
3. Carbon monoxide & Particulate
4. Additional Pollutants------
--- Hydrogen Sulfide
--- Volatile Organic Compounds.
--- Benzene(C6H6)
--- Toluene(C6H8), Xylenes (C8H10) etc.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):

Air quality impacts are estimated by

comparing with baseline air quality which
ensures that no adverse impacts to human
health & the environment.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):
1. Exhaust Gases: The most significant
sources of exhaust gas emissions from
onshore facilities :

 Combustion of gas or liquid fuels in

turbines, boilers, compressors, pumps &
other engines for power and heat generation.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):
2. Venting & Flaring: Associated gas brought
to the surface with crude oil during oil
production is sometimes disposed off at
onshore facilities by venting or flaring to the
atmosphere. This practice is now widely
recognized to be a waste of a valuable
resource, as well as a significant source of
GHG emissions.
However , flaring or venting are also important
safety measures used on onshore oil & gas
facilities to ensure gas and other HCs are
safely disposed in the event of an emergency,
power or equipment failure etc.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):
Continuous venting of associated gas is not
considered a good practice and should be
avoided. The associated gas stream should be
routed to an efficient flare system, although
continuous flaring of gas should be avoided if
feasible alternatives are available. Before flaring
is adopted, feasible alternatives for the use of
gas should be evaluated to the maximum extent
possible and integrated into production design.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):
What are those alternative options?
Alternative options may include:
1. Gas utilization for on- site energy needs
2. Export of the gas to a neighboring facility or
to the market
3. Gas injection for reservoir pressure
maintenance.
4. Enhanced recovery using gas lift.
if none of these alternatives is feasible,
continuous improvement in flaring
technology should be implemented.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):

3. Fugitive Emissions:

Fugitive emissions at onshore facility may be

associated with vents, leaking pipes & tubings,
valves, connections, pump seals, compressor
seals, pressure relief valves, tanks or open pits
and HC loading & unloading operations.
On shore Air Pollution (Cont…….)
To control fugitive emissions:
1. good design and maintenance of facility is
must.
2. The selection of valves, fittings, seals etc
should be maintained for the same.
3. Leak detection facility should be there.
4. Vapour control units should be installed for
HC loading and unloading operations.
5. Use of open vents in tank roofs should be
avoided by installing pressure relief valves.
Off shore Air Pollution
 The main sources of air emissions resulting
from offshore activities include:
1. Combustion sources from power and heat
generation
2. Use of Compressors, pumps, boilers, turbines
etc.
3. Flaring & venting of HCs.
4. Fugitive emissions.
 The principal pollutants from these air emission
sources :
1. Nitrogen Oxides
2. Sulfur Oxides
3. Carbon monoxide, CO2 & Particulate
4. Additional Pollutants------
--- Hydrogen Sulfide
--- Volatile Organic Compounds.
--- methane & ethane
--- Benzene
--- Toluene, Xylenes etc.
Off shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):

1. Exhaust Gases: Exhaust gas emissions

produced by Combustion of gas or liquid
fuels in turbines, boilers, compressors,
pumps & other engines for power and heat
generation can be the most significant
sources of exhaust gas emissions from
offshore facilities.
Off shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):
2. Venting & Flaring: Associated gas brought
to the surface with crude oil during oil
production is sometimes disposed off at
onshore facilities by venting or flaring to the
atmosphere. This practice is now widely
recognized to be a waste of a valuable
resource, as well as a significant source of
GHG emissions.
All efforts should be made to keep flaring to
the minimum and only for technical reasons
and safety. Flares are also a problem in terms
of aesthetics.
Off shore Air Pollution (Cont…….):
3. Fugitive Emissions:

Fugitive emissions at offshore facility

may be associated with vents, leaking
pipes & turbines, valves, connections,
pump seals, compressor seals, pressure
relief valves, tanks or open pits and HC
loading & unloading operations.
Air Quality Standards:
They are the standards that specify allowable
emission.
It can either be related to :
1. Quality of the air in the surrounding
atmosphere (ambient air quality) – Useful for
the protection of the health of living
populations, animals and of property.
2. Gaseous emissions from a particular unit
( emission standard) --- used for planning
pollution control strategy.
Ambient Air Quality Standards:
In India, for AAQS, various areas have been
classified into 3 categories:

1. Category A: covers Industrial and mixed – use

areas.

2. Category B: Covers residential and Rural

areas.

3. Category C: Covers sensitive areas such as

sanctuaries, national parks, hill stations etc.
 Ambient Air Quality Standards: India
Category/ Concentration in micrograms/ m3
Area
SPM SO2 NOx CO
A. 500 120 120 2000
Industrial &
Mixed Use

B. 200 80 80 1000
Residential
& Rural

C. Sensitive 100 30 30 500

Harmful Effects of Air Pollution:
Polluted air can cause:
1. sickness or death that lead to human &
economic losses.
2. Reduce visibility
3. Cause unpleasant odors ( like from
sulfur compounds).
4. Can damage agricultural crops, plants,
livestock ( Fluorine and arsenic settle on
or react with animal fodder). Consuming
such fodder result into loss of strength,
weight and death.
Harmful Effects of Air Pollution:
e.g. Although SO2 has a disagreeable odour above
about 0.5 ppm, its immediate effects on most people
are negligible below a few ppm.
However, a one hour exposure to 5ppm causes
choking, and one hour at 10ppm produces great
distress.
A few sensitive individuals have experienced severe
bronchospasm at even 1 to 2 ppm.
Sulphur dioxide when released in the atmosphere can
also convert to SO3, which leads to production of
sulphuric acid. When SO3 is inhaled it is likely to be
absorbed in moist passages of respiratory tract and it
may reach to deeper into lungs.
Harmful Effects of Air Pollution:

The toxicity of Nitrogen dioxide is considerably

less than that of Sulphur di oxide. Most people
first notice eye and nasal irritation at about 13
ppm.

Almost all NOx emissions are in the form of NO,

which has no, known adverse health effects in
the concentrations found in the atmosphere,
which in turn may give rise to secondary
pollutants, which are injurious. NO2 may also
lead to formation of HNO3, which is washed out
of the atmosphere as acid rain.
Harmful Effects of Air Pollution:
Most of the CO emissions are from
transportation sector. Peek concentrations
occur at street level in busy urban centers
particularly when there is no atmospheric
mixing as it happens during winter season.

Carbon monoxide is not an odorous or

irritating gas, but, combines with the
hemoglobin of the blood and reduces its
oxygen carrying capacity.
Most people experience dizziness, headache,
lassitude etc. after 1 or 2 hrs. exposure to 100
ppm of CO.
Harmful Effects of Air Pollution:

Lead released from motor vehicle exhaust may

affect human populations by direct inhalations ,
in which case people living nearest to highways
are at greatest risk.

Lead can be ingested also after it is deposited

on the foodstuffs. it may cause behavioral
changes, learning disabilities and permanent
brain damage.
 Precautionary Measures to check Air Pollution
Problems
1. By Using Absorbers
2. Application of Vapour Recovery System
3. Standardization of the height of the flare stacks.
4. By introduction of diluters
5. Air regulation control during the combustion of natural
gas
6. Pre burning treatment to the various effluents before
discharging to atmosphere.
7. Replacement of the damages of greenery near
installations, work centers etc.
8. Control of flare light by virtue of which majority of
birds & insects have been migrated.
9. Good design of equipments.
THERMAL POWER PLANTS:
Thermal power plants are major sources of
SPM, SO2 and Nox depending upon the type
of Fuel used.
Emission of one or more of these pollutants
may be of environmental significance.
A large amount of SPM as fly ash is emitted
from coal fired power plants, particularly if the
ash removal unit such as an electrostatic or
precipitation (ESP ) is not used.
AUTOMOBILES:

In urban areas automobiles form a significant

source of a number of air pollutants namely
particulates, hydrocarbon and lead.

Non- uniform oxygen supply within the

combustion chamber and lower flame
temperature leads to incomplete combustion
releasing CO, HC and unburnt particles in the
exhaust.