Technical paper
Are Produced Water Emission Factors Accurate?
Rules of thumb are often used for estimating emissions from Produced Water storage tanks, especially when entrained hydrocarbons are present. The rules of thumb are used because of difficulties in obtaining accurate compositional information as well as deficiencies in the estimation calculation methods. The different rules of thumb yield substantially different emissions estimates, and it is questionable whether some provide accurate estimates. A new process simulator-based method is presented that overcomes some of the sample analysis and calculation shortcomings. Predictions of the new method are presented that show the effect of hydrocarbon entrainment on produced water emissions. In addition, definitions and emissions estimates of some of the currently used rules of thumb are presented and contrasted with the new method.
Rules of thumb are often used for estimating emissions from Produced Water storage tanks, especially when entrained hydrocarbons are present. The rules of thumb are used because of difficulties in obtaining accurate compositional information as well as deficiencies in the estimation calculation methods. The different rules of thumb yield substantially different emissions estimates, and it is questionable whether some provide accurate estimates. A new process simulator-based method is presented that overcomes some of the sample analysis and calculation shortcomings. Predictions of the new method are presented that show the effect of hydrocarbon entrainment on produced water emissions. In addition, definitions and emissions estimates of some of the currently used rules of thumb are presented and contrasted with the new method.