WorldWide Drilling Resource

28 DECEMBER 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Real-Time Monitoring of VOCs Adapted from Information by RJ Lee Group Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are tremendous indicators for multiple processes in drilling, mining, oil and gas production, and transport systems. Under- standing emission signatures and details can positively impact operations and in- crease profits. The industrial and environmental forensic industry can be enhanced by the use of a Proton Transfer Reaction - Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS), specifically de- veloped for quick response with low detection limits, thereby providing direct real-time monitoring of most VOCs like BTEX at the ppt (parts per trillion) levels in seconds. The PTR-MS lends itself well to a mobile platform. The Mobile Organic Monitoring laboratory (MOMlab) com- bines this new technology with the tra- ditional powers of gas chromatography mass spectrometry and portable methane monitoring methods to allow simultane- ous real-time absolute quantitative moni- toring of most VOCs to the pptv-range with response times down to 100 millisec- onds. The MOMlab uses a global posi- tioning system and new vapor and air handling technologies and strategies in a variety of configurations to allow monitor- ing of indoor or outdoor ambient air, stack emissions, syngas, storage tanks, pipe leaks, well gas, sump air, enclosed spaces, head space, exhaust, intake air, or bleed air. Samples do not need to be prepared or preconcentrated before the measure- ment and there is no carrier gas to dilute samples, thus whole-air samples can be introduced directly into the instrument, allowing for dynamic headspace sampling or VOC flux measurements. Sampling lines and hoses can be used with no loss of sensitivity. Natural oxygen and nitro- +1*0 '* 0 0#/ .+1*" 0#. 4,+ # .1 .5 0 0&# -1 .'1/ /'*+ #/+.0 1%&('* +. )+.# '*$+.) 0'+* 2'/'0 1/ +*('*# )+1*0 '*/0 0#/%.+1*"3 0#. !+) ) '( '*$+ )+1*0 '*/0 0#/%.+1*"3 0#. !+) &# +1*0 '* 0 0#/ .+1*" 0#. 4,+ '/ &+/0#" 5 0&# 0#. #(( *" .+1*" 0#. //+!' 0'+*/ +$ .'6+* +(+. "+ #2 " #3 #4'!+ *" 0 & gen in air do not interfere with the meas- urement process, allowing extremely low detection limits. This technique operates under a range of ASTM, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and AIHA standards and procedures, with NIST-traceable stan- dards and materials, and a full quality assurance/quality control program so the results are fully traceable and admis- sible when necessary.