Product category:
Trade effluent monitoring + on-site treatment
News Release from: Wilks Enterprise | Subject: InfraCal TOG/TPH
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 March 2007
Offshore discharges monitored to meet
OPPC
New oil-in-water infrared analysis method, with a crude oil specific validation against GC-FID, meets the OPPC Regulations for discharge of produced water, well interventions or acid stimulations
New European regulations governing the measurement of oil-in-water, a 15% hydrocarbon emission reduction target and Hydrocarbon Trading have all heightened the importance of monitoring oil concentration levels As a result, the US instrument manufacturer, Wilks Enterprise, and their UK representative - Quantitech - have reported a rapid growth in demand for the InfraCal portable TOG/TPH Analysers
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 18 Feb 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Wilks Enterprise InfraCal TOG/TPH Analyser can be used to test the solvent where metal parts to be tested are soaked, to confirm no grease has been found
IR analysers measure fats, oils and greases (FOG)
Wilks Enterprise portable IR Analysers provide an accurate, easy on-site analysis to assist regulators, as well as industry, reduce the build up of fats, oils, and greases (FOG) in sewers
The Oil Pollution Prevention and Control (OPPC) Regulations prohibit the discharge of oil into the sea unless it is in accordance with the schedule conditions of a permit issued to cover the discharge.
In support of OPPC, the UK DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) has provided industry with technical guidance on suitable methods for the sampling and analysis of produced water and other samples containing hydrocarbons.
The determination of oil in produced water has been traditionally carried out using a standard reference method based on solvent extraction followed by infrared analysis.
Further reading
EPA oily effluent discharge regulations tightened
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established limitation guidelines for discharges of "oily wastes" from facilities that produce, maintain or rebuild metal products and machinery
Hydrocarbon (oil/grease) contamination in water
Wilks Enterprise manufactures portable infrared analysers for easy, on-site measurement of the hydrocarbon (oil/grease) contamination level in water
Oil-in-water measurements on site
Oil-in-water measurements on off-shore platforms, in refineries or wastewater treatment facilities with easy-to-use, portable infrared analysers
However, the solvent Freon 113 is no longer permitted (Montreal Protocol) and there have been health and safety concerns with its replacement, Tetrachloroethylene, so there has been a drive to develop and adopt a new reference oil-in-water analysis method by both the authorities and the offshore industry.
As a result, an OSPAR modified version of the ISO 9377-2 GC-FID method (Gas Chromatography and Flame Ionization Detection) has been adopted as the reference method and this became effective from 1 January 2007.
Since GC-FID analysis is generally done in a laboratory and not onsite, the DTI guidelines permit the use of other methods that have a crude oil specific validation against the GC-FID.
As a result, many operators have chosen the InfraCal TOG/TPH Analyser for use at their facilities because it is a portable device providing faster results at a much lower cost.
The InfraCal Analyser is a portable instrument, marketed and sold exclusively in the UK by Quantitech, for the measurement of total hydrocarbons (both soluble and dispersed).
A typical analysis takes just 10-15 minutes including the extraction process.
Sarah McGillivray, Operational Chemist for the CETCO Oilfield in the UK, says "We use an InfraCal TOG/TPH Analyser on every job that we undertake including produced water treatment, well interventions or acid stimulations.
We use the InfraCal Analyser in each of these applications in order to determine the oil in water content of the treated fluids.
This analysis allows the operator of our equipment to fully optimise the equipment and also to determine the point at which our consumable media has been exhausted.
One of the key advantages of on-site analysis is that it enables the facility to demonstrate successful treatment quickly and easily.
Also, without an InfraCal Analyser, we would not be permitted to treat contaminated produced water and dispose of it directly overboard".
The R.U.M Consultancy, also in the UK, provides analytical services including mass spectrometry for organics and, commenting on the monitoring regulations, Richard Morrison from R.U.M commented: "The InfraCal TOG/TPH Analyser is now the main portable device for the measurement of oil in water; it is robust, easy to use and most people are familiar with it.
We also provide the instrument validation service that is required under the new regulations.
In summary, I believe that the new monitoring guidelines will help protect the environment without imposing a heavy cost burden". Request a free brochure from Wilks Enterprise ...
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