Refineries

Special Monitoring Solutions for Refineries

Limited Hot Work
RKI’s GP-03, a portable single gas combustible monitor, is being used to minimize the permitting process for what is called, Limited Hot Work. Refineries in Northern California eliminate the need to pre-test areas by using the GP-03 gas monitor.

Limited Hot Work is when any electrical device like laptops, PDA’s, pagers, and cell phones are used in a Class 1, potentially hazardous, flammable or explosive environment. Since these items are usually not intrinsically safe, there is a protocol covering the use of these items at refineries. When any employee or contractor is using any of the above-mentioned items at a refinery, they are issued a portable LEL meter (like the GP-03). As long as the GP-03 is not in alarm (below 10% LEL), it is OK to operate the electrical device.

The GP-03’s size and price make it an ideal hands free solution for Limited Hot Work. Measuring only 2.6 inches tall and weighing only 2.8 ounces, the GP-03 is literally the smallest single gas combustible monitor in the world. With a low price and a two year warranty, it’s also the best value on the market. All GP-03’s are equipped with a rubber protective boot and alligator clip.

Method 21 for Tanks with Inert Enclosures
Method 21 is an EPA protocol for monitoring VOC leaks to ensure that those emissions are kept within certain levels to control air pollution. The EAGLE is being used extensively at refineries in Northern California to comply with Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) mandated emissions monitoring. For refineries that have storage tanks with an inert enclosure, monitoring the inert space for hydrocarbons with an instrument that complies with Method 21 is required. RKI has configured an EAGLE specifically for this application.

The part number for this particular version of the EAGLE is 72-5101RK-11T and is described as an EAGLE with catalytic sensor (ppm/LEL), internal dilution to add fresh air (oxygen) to the catalytic sensor, and a Teflon sample hose to accommodate the heavier hydrocarbon samples. The EAGLE has been extensively tested against flame ionization detectors (FIDs), which is the most widely used monitoring technology for Method 21. The EAGLE complies with Method 21, is less expensive than an FID, and can be operated for longer periods of time (30 continuous hours on 4 D size alkaline batteries). Also an FID cannot be used for this application due to the inert gas background.

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