Estimation of Diffuse Hydrocarbon Leakages from Petrochemical Factories

Tracer experiments were carried out to quantify the diffuse leakages of hydrocarbons at two petrochemical complexes in Norway. Single tracer (SF₆) and dual tracer (SF₆/CBrF₃) experiments were performed for different test designs and different meteorological conditions.A simple proportionality model was applied to estimate leakage rates of ethylene, propylene, ethane, propane and isobutane from different parts of the plants. A discussion of uncertainties in the release rate estimates is also included.Dispersion models were applied to verify concentration profiles and to identify leakage areas. A model using K_z for estimating vertical spread and σ_Θ for estimating horizontal spread, including building size parameters as initial dilution factors, was best correlated to measured tracer concentrations.