Naslov
Ambient Air Mercury Measurements during Natural Gas Processing

Autori
Špirić, Zdravko ; Stockwell, Peter B.

Izvornik
American Environmental Laboratory (1051-2306) 10 (1998), 5; 16-20

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
ambient air; natural gas; mercury; detection; atomic fluorescence;

Sažetak
INA-Naftaplin, the major Oil and Gas Exploration and Production company in Croatia, has been confronted with mercury pollution of environment in scope of his complex technological process and activities involved with production and treatment of natural gas. Regulatory initiatives and the public opinion became also increasingly focused on issues related to environmental problems. Challenged by mercury's unique and quite specific properties and its potentially harmful effect on eco-systems (however small the quantities), those developing the adequate equipment and techniques for sampling and accurate determination of mercury content in environmental samples, and especially in ambient air (but also in other gas streams, including natural gas) have intensified their efforts to produce appropriate devices. Consequently, INA-Naftaplin obtained and adopted the modern "state of the art" sampling and analytical techniques and procedures for determination of mercury content, covering the process flow lines and the ambient air. For this purpose, as a consequence of constantly decreasing allowable levels of toxic material (along with mercury) present in our surroundings, the sophisticated method of sampling has been adopted. It comprises sampling of process gas streams and ambient air on Amasil traps*, followed by analysis of collected samples by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), using the PS Analytical's Sir Galahad instrument. Sensitivity and precision of this instrument enable not only the reliable control of mercury removal from natural gas in process units, but also determination of low levels of mercury present in ambient air surrounding the production plant(s). This paper deals with data, results and experience obtained by research and by application of the AFS while measuring concentrations of mercury in ambient air during production and enhancement of natural gas at the Gas Treatment Plant (GTP) Molve, Croatia. Mercury was detected at levels well below worker exposure standards. All test results clearly indicate INA-Naftaplin's mercury control program has been, and continues to be fully effective at minimising contribution of mercury in the working and living environment.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA