Summary:

Direct emission rate measurement devices, often called high-flow samplers, are niche products with limited sales volumes. The main commercial product (Bacharach HiFlow®) was discontinued by the manufacturer creating a gap in emission quantification abilities.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently approved the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities (Oil and Gas Regulation) in 2017 to reduce methane emissions in California. The regulation requires emission rate measurements, which would typically be made using a high-flow sampler. The timing of these events created an opportunity to develop a new high-flow sampler.

Objectives:

The objective of this project is to develop and test a new high-flow sampler. Colorado State University (CSU) and SLR will develop an open-source design that could be constructed by multiple parties. The open-source design will include the following:

• Preliminary designs for any key components which are currently not available off-the-shelf.
• Preliminary designs to retrofit existing instruments with improved sensors and electronics – if retrofits emerge as a viable path forward.
• Pre-production software that not only operates the instrument but assists the operator in making measurements.
• Recommended component selection or design for intrinsic safety.
• Sourcing and construction instructions to build the instrument.
• Improved performance using best practices and modern technology.

The resulting high-flow sampler prototype will need final product development and safety certification to become a saleable instrument. CSU will work with potential manufacturing and distribution partners to achieve a high likelihood of productization.

In addition to its critical role in implementing CARB’s Oil and Gas Regulation, the device could be customized for use with a variety of target gas and aerosol species. Customized designs will be useful for both research and regulatory compliance in oil and gas and other industries.