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Latest news on KLINGER Group
KLINGER Innovation

Next level leak detection

After upgrading to a photonic system, KLINGER Australia division ATMECO can provide even more precise measurement and detection of methane leaks.

With more than twenty years of specialization in leak detection and repair (LDAR), KLINGER Australia‘s Integrity services department ATMECO has seen trends come and go. “We are looking continuously at advancements made within LDAR detection methods and reporting technologies,” explains Silvio Stojic, General Manager of ATMECO. The LDAR process captures fugitive emissions, so named because they require specialized tools to detect. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) can leak from valves, flanges, and pumps, causing risk to both employees and the environment. A combination of “boots on the ground” inspection and state-of-the-art equipment keeps the ATMECO team on the cutting edge of industry programs, with customers reaping the rewards.

Isolating compounds with optical gas imaging (OCI)

While plants have long tried to curb leaks as a cost saving measure, the environmental impact is more of a priority now than ever before. Customers are targeting methane detection in a bid to reach zero emissions, per United Nations (UN) standards. Optical gas imaging (OGI) is a preferred system for this work, which uses cameras with custom filters to detect the infrared bands that signal a leak. ATMECO has upgraded to a photonic system, which allows even more precise measurement.

“The advantage is that you can isolate other compounds in the vicinity. With the classic optical cameras, if you have steam in the background, you pick up steam. With photon detection, it doesn’t pick up steam, it just picks up methane.” 

Edwin Ukpiebo, Projects & IT Support Coordinator of KLINGER Australia

This and other cutting-edge tools feed directly into ATMECO’s bespoke component integrity management system (CIMS), allowing clients to manage all plant data and assets in one central web platform.

Gold standard emission reporting

Keeping up with laws and regulations can be just as challenging as keeping up with tech. With more than 140 countries pledging a net zero emissions target, efforts are ramping up across the globe to meet those dates. Further, more than 80 countries have committed to the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP), another UN effort that improves the accuracy of methane emissions reporting through a five-level framework. The top level, known as the “Gold Standard,” is highly ambitious, causing some companies to trial detection methods that prove inefficient. Satellite monitoring, for example, offers plants a bird’s eye view, but cannot account for which emissions are native to the facility, and which are brought in by wind.

Contacts mentioned in the article:

Silvio Stojic, General Manager of KLINGER ATMECO

Edwin Ukpiebo, Projects & IT Support Co-ordinator of KLINGER Australia

Fortunately, the ATMECO team has the experience to discern which techniques are both sensitive and accurate enough to meet OGMP guidelines, while also meeting the needs of the plant. As Edwin explains, “In classical monitoring, you will be at level three OGMP. To step up to level four and five, you need these extra technologies. It depends on the kind of facilities you have. A particular technology may be suitable for one type of facility, but it may not be good for another facility.” Whatever specific tools and methods are needed, be it sensors, drones, cameras, or old-fashioned hands-on exams, ATMECO’s LDAR team has the experience and resources to meet all the client’s needs.

“Our main focus is to assist companies to reach net zero emissions for the future. So, whether it’s our LDAR program or integrity management, it's part of that goal.”

Silvio Stojic, General Manager of ATMECO Integrity Services at KLINGER Australia

Fact Box

Did you know…

... that the term "fugitive emissions" refers to gases or vapors that escape from pipes or equipment due to leaks, flanges, or other malfunctions. These emissions can significantly contribute to air pollution and global warming. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fugitive emissions account for a substantial portion of greenhouse gases released in many industrial sectors, making the work of companies like KLINGER Australia crucial in the fight against climate change.

... that Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) technology, a key tool used by KLINGER Australia’s Integrity Services ATMECO, is not only effective in detecting methane leaks but also plays a crucial role in maintaining workplace safety. Methane, being a highly flammable gas, poses significant risks in industrial settings. By using OGI cameras, technicians can identify potentially hazardous leaks from a safe distance, thereby preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of personnel. Learn more about how to tackle methane emissions.

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