A Public/Private Approach for Technical Evaluation of an Innovative Open-path Hydrogen Sulfide Air Monitoring System

Participatory Science
Oral Presentation

Presented by E. Stevenson
Prepared by D. Gamiles1, C. Gordon2
1 - Argos Scientific, Inc., 4600 NW Camas Meadows Dr, Suite 100, Camas, Washington, 98607, United States
2 - M&C TechGroup North America, 6019 Olivas Park Dr, Suite G, Ventura, CA, 93003, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 503-421-0228

ABSTRACT

This abstract presents a summary of a technical evaluation of the Airoptic open-path Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) air monitoring system, conducted to assess its suitability for meeting the performance criteria established by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) as part of Regulation 12, Rule 15 (Rule 12-15) for fence-line air monitoring. The rule mandated the installation of open-path fence-line air monitoring systems, including the detection of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gas, at refineries in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Initially, the BAAQMD exempted refineries from installing H2S monitoring equipment due to the lack of commercially available technology meeting the required detection levels. To promote the development of acceptable technology, the BAAQMD encouraged the testing of open-path technologies. To evaluate the suitability of the candidate technology, the operational parameters of the Airoptic open-path TDL system were compared against accepted test methodologies, including the EPA Compendium Method TO-16 and the EPA's Environmental Technology Verification Program's Generic Verification Protocol for Optical Open-Path Monitors.

At the request of the Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program (BCAMP) a local community group that advocates for the open and transparent demonstration of the innovative environmental technologies, Argos Scientific, demonstrated the Airoptic system as part of a two-week technology evaluation in December 2023. The evaluation included open-forum demonstrations of the technology with local political officials, the Bay Area Qir Quality Management District, oil refineries, the general public and technology vendors. This demonstration marked a new era in the partnership with governmental agencies, environmental groups, and industry to collect, share and report environmental data.