Texas chem industry cuts emissions 10% - council

03 March 2008 17:26  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The Texas chemicals industry reduced airborne emissions nearly 10% during a two-year period ending in 2006, according to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report cited on Monday by the Texas Chemical Council.

Total industry emissions in Texas fell from 144.6m lbs (65,590 tonnes) in 2004 to 130.8m lbs in 2006, according to annual EPA findings cited by the chemical council.

In the Houston area, which is home to about 80% of the state’s chemical producers, emissions were cut 20% from 2004 to 2006, the chemical council said.

Benzene emissions in the Houston area fell by 12% in the two-year period, according to the chemical council.

The council cited the growing use of infra-red (IR) imaging technology to detect leaks that otherwise could be found only by visual and manual inspections requiring thousands of man-hours.

A $100,000 IR camera can be used to quickly scan large production areas and miles of pipeline to deliver thermal images of gas leaks in real time, the council said in a statement.

“The greatest benefit is that it allows us to pinpoint fugitive emissions much sooner than we would by using other technologies,” said Dave Seitz, a plant manager for LyondellBasell’s Channelview complex.

“We are using IR cameras in our olefins and refining facilities across the US.”

“With this camera, you can scan 3,500 pieces of equipment in an hour, versus 500 a day with older, conventional methods,” said Russ Roberts, spokesperson for ExxonMobil Chemical in Baytown.

By: Brian Ford
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