- 期刊
煉油廠設備元件查漏新技術－紅外線氣體顯像測漏法
A Novel Technology for Searching Leaking Components in a Refinery-Infrared Gas Imaging
摘要
從環保、工安及經濟上來看，VOC減量是煉油廠及石化廠的當務之急。煉油廠及石化廠的VOC主要來自設備元件的逸散排放，而洩漏嚴重的設備元件數量雖佔不到1%，但VOC排放量卻佔了近90%，因此VOC減量需從洩漏嚴重的設備元件著手。VOC成份中的C-H鍵對紅外光有很強的吸收，因而使得VOC煙柱與背景問產生光強度差，紅外線氣體顯像利漏法即是利用此光強度差以產生負影像，再透過處理，將波長移轉至可見光範圍，即可看到VOC煙柱的黑白影像。紅外線氣體顯像法可快速查出有嚴重洩漏的設備元件，並且「看到」洩漏狀況及洩漏位置，以便採取正確的維修對策。紅外線氣體顯像法因具遙利功能，除了地面附近的設備元件外，特別適用在難以接近及高處的設備元件查漏上，但現有的手提式毒性氣體分析儀查漏方法則無此功能。五種市售的紅外線氣體顯像設備被簡要地介紹。中油煉製研究所於民國96年底購入一台紅外線氣體顯像利漏儀－GasFindIR，由美國FLIR公司出品。該設備已成功地用在高雄煉油廠、大林廠及林園石化廠的設備元件查漏上，深獲佳評，實際案例及心得在文中有詳細說明。紅外線氣體顯像儀的缺點為無法利出VOC濃度，但已有廠商宣稱研發成功可同時顯像及利得濃度的新型產品。目前環保署正在做方法驗証，相信不久即可公告為標準方法。
並列摘要
VOCs abation is a crucial concern for a refinery or a petrochemical plant in terms of environmental protection, safety and economy. Most VOCs are originated from the fugitive leakage of components such as valves, flanges, vents, pumps and so on. The survey by API (America Petroleum Institute, USA) from 1991 to 1996 disclosed that major leakages, even though less than 1 % in number, contributed more than 90 % of total VOCs in amount to the air. This fact implies that we should target major, instead of minor, leakages if we desire to cut down VOCs effectively and economically. Infrared Gas Imaging is based on the fact that C-H bonds in VOCs absorb infrared ray to give an intensity difference between VOC plume and its background, which is transformed and then processed on the computer into a visible image in black and white. In this way, one can locate the leakage by seeing where and how VOCs are leaking from a component, which facilitates repairing and renewing leaking components precisely and correctly. In addition, this method is used especially for locating leaking components hard-approaching or in the elevation, because of its function of remote detection. This article briefly introduced five kinds of devices for Infrared Gas Imaging (called as IR cameras) on the market. RMRC, CPC purchased an IR camera, called GasFindIR (FLIR company, USA), in the end of 2007, which has been successfully applied to locate leaking components in Koushiung refinery, Darlin refinery and Linyan petrochemical plant respectively. Some examples and experiences were presented in detail. To our regret, GasFindIR is unable to determine the concentration of total VOCs. However, a maker declares that he has devised a novel type of IR camera with capability to determine the concentration of VOCs. By the way, Infrared Gas Imaging is being under accreditation by EPA, Taiwan.