Apparatus and methods for reducing fugitive gas emissions at oil facilities
Apparatus and methods for detecting and reporting pollution at an oil facility are disclosed. The technology utilizes a logic control system to read from a pollution sensor and present the sensed data as a pollutant from a leak. The pollution leakage can be further managed and reduced.
1. A pollution monitor for an oil facility comprising:
a housing comprising:
an interior;
an exterior;
a first venturi opening formed in the housing configured to allow airflow between the exterior and interior;
a second venturi opening formed in the housing configured to allow airflow between the interior and exterior; and
an airstream path in the interior between the first venturi opening and the second venturi opening;
an electronics package positioned in the interior of the housing adjacent to the airstream path, the electronics package comprising:
a pollution sensor electrically interfaced with the electronics package and configured to output a signal representative of an airborne pollutant concentration; and
a communications circuit electrically interfaced with the electronics package and configured to transmit the airborne pollutant concentration;
a panel mount attached to the housing comprising
a top configured at
a pitch angle formed between the top and a global-horizontal plane, wherein the pitch angle is greater than zero degrees;
a solar panel:
attached to the top of the panel mount,
electrically interfaced with the electronics package, and
configured to drain water and to increase solar charging;
an expansion connector formed on the exterior of the housing and in electrical communication with the electronics package; and
a power conductor:
electrically interfaced with the solar panel,
electrically interfaced with the electronics package, and
passing through the housing.
2. The pollution monitor of claim 1 , wherein the expansion connector is a telecommunications registered jack.
3. The pollution monitor of claim 1 and further comprising:
a physical sampling system:
attached to the expansion connector,
in electrical communication with the electronics package, and
configured to flow a sample of air into the physical sampling system.
4. The pollution monitor of claim 3 wherein the pollution monitor is configured to capture and preserve the sample of air with the physical sampling system.
5. The pollution monitor of claim 1 and further comprising:
a metrological connector electrically interfaced with the electronics package and configured to receive data representative of at least one meteorological condition.
6. The pollution monitor of claim 5 and further comprising:
a metrological circuit electrically interfaced with the metrological connector and configured to output a signal representative of direction of wind.
7. The pollution monitor of claim 1 wherein the panel mount further comprises:
an insulating body configured to reduce heat transfer from the solar panel to the electronics package.
8. The pollution monitor of claim 7 wherein the insulating body further comprises:
a wood portion; and
wherein the housing is attached to the wood portion.
9. The pollution monitor of claim 1 wherein the panel mount further comprises:
a box comprising:
an interior; and
an exterior; and
a bird passage formed in the box and configured to provide physical passage for a bird between the interior and the exterior.
10. The pollution monitor of claim 1 wherein the pitch angle is between 15 degrees and 55 degrees.
11. The pollution monitor of claim 1 and further comprising:
a brim parallel to the first venturi opening, the brim configured to block rain from entering the interior via the first venturi opening;
an airgap located between the venturi opening and the brim; and
wherein the airgap is in fluid communication with the interior and the exterior.
12. The pollution monitor of claim 1 and further comprising:
a vertical object anchored to ground; and
a fastener configured to attach the pollution monitor to the vertical object.
13. The pollution monitor of claim 12 wherein the vertical object further comprises:
an elongated member:
having a uniform cross-section, and
at least three feet long.
14. The pollution monitor of claim 13 wherein the elongated member further comprises:
a spade formed on a proximal end of the elongated member; and
an anvil formed on a distal end of the elongated member.
15. A method for sampling air pollution at an oil facility comprising:
providing a pollution monitor comprising:
a housing configured to receive one or more components and to protect the components from outdoor environmental conditions;
an electronics package disposed in the housing, wherein the electronics package determines a location using trilateration;
a pollution sensor in electrical communication with the electronics package, the pollution sensor configured to output a signal representative of a pollutant concentration; and
a physical sampling system in electrical communication with the electronics package, wherein the physical sampling system is coupled to the pollution monitor using an expansion connector attached to the housing;
establishing a rule for invoking a sampling event;
monitoring for breach of the rule;
invoking, upon breach of the rule, the pollution monitor to initiate sampling; and
sampling air pollution by:
capturing a sample of air with the physical sampling system; and
storing the location of the sample of air.
16. The method for sampling of claim 15 wherein the providing the pollution monitor further comprises providing:
a real-time clock in electrical communication with the electronics package; and
wherein the sampling air pollution further comprises:
storing the time of the sample of air.
17. The method for sampling of claim 15 and further comprising:
energizing the physical sampling system during the sampling.
18. The method for sampling of claim 17 and further comprising:
wherein the energizing the physical sampling system comprises energizing a solenoid during sampling.
19. A pollution monitor for an oil facility comprising:
a housing comprising:
an interior;
an exterior;
a first venturi opening formed in the housing configured to allow airflow between the exterior and interior;
a second venturi opening formed in the housing configured to allow airflow between the interior and exterior; and
an airstream path in the interior between the first venturi opening and the second venturi opening;
an electronics package positioned in the interior of the housing adjacent to the airstream path, the electronics package comprising:
a pollution sensor electrically interfaced with the electronics package and configured to output a signal representative of an airborne pollutant concentration; and
a communications circuit electrically interfaced with the electronics package and configured to transmit the airborne pollutant concentration:
a panel mount attached to the housing comprising a top configured at a pitch angle formed between the top and a global-horizontal plane, wherein the pitch angle is greater than zero degrees;
a solar panel:
attached to the top of the panel mount,
electrically interfaced with the electronics package, and
configured to drain water and to increase solar charging; and
a power conductor:
electrically interfaced with the solar panel,
electrically interfaced with the electronics package, and
passing through the housing:
a vertical object configured for anchoring to ground;
a fastener configured to attach the pollution monitor to the vertical object,
an elongated member:
having a uniform cross-section, and
at least three feet long;
a spade formed on a proximal end of the elongated member; and
an anvil formed on a distal end of the elongated member.
20. The pollution monitor of claim 19 , further comprising an expansion connector formed on the exterior of the housing and in electrical communication with the electronics package.