22-02-2023

mPACT2WO leak detection solution enables US EPA approved AMEL for LDAR

mPACT2WO, a Molex business, today announced AirCompliance, a groundbreaking, end-to-end leak detection solution that systemizes an Alternative Means of Emission Limitation (AMEL) as approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is a result of a multi-year collaboration between Molex, the EPA and Flint Hills Resources (FHR) to innovate a fixed, continuous detection mechanism as an alternative to existing manual component-by-component periodic EPA Method 21 monitoring requirements.

Existing manual component-by-component periodic EPA Method 21 monitoring requirements have been in place for over 40 years. The implementation of these requirements can be challenging due to the time-based and human-dependent approach. Emerging sensor technologies and state-of-the-art software approaches offer the potential to address the limitations in meeting existing Method 21 monitoring requirements. Other technology innovations have been tried but failed to gain wide-spread acceptance due to the siloed approach of technology-proofing in isolation of regulatory and industrial guidance.

In 2017, the EPA ORD CEMM, FHR, and Molex, LLC, a global electronics leader and connectivity innovator, initiated work under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) to explore new next generation emission measurement (NGEM) based detection techniques for refineries, petrochemical manufacturing, and other industrial facilities. The “LDAR Innovation CRADA”, (EPA #914-16), successfully developed and tested a first-of-its-kind leak detection sensor network (LDSN) that operates with specialized facility procedures defined in a detection response framework (DRF) to produce an integrated emission monitoring and documentation system. The LDSN-DRF system demonstrated improved fugitive emission detection and mitigation capability for select applications during pilot deployments in operating refineries and chemical manufacturing facilities.

“The three-way technology, regulatory and industry partnership shows the potential for successful development of innovative concept-to-compliance solutions. We value and appreciate the multi-year collaboration with EPA and FHR to ensure LDSN meets the regulatory and industry expectations. With the EPA AMEL approval framework, Molex AirCompliance LDSN solution will now enable a wide variety of industrial facilities to adopt an optimal alternative to their existing method 21 implementations,” said Krishna Uppuluri, Vice President and General Manager of mPACT2WO. “Based on our innovative technology, Molex’s AirCompliance is designed to be a holistic solution for expansion beyond LDAR applications to additional emissions monitoring use cases such as Fenceline, Tank farms, Process safety and other community-partnership activities.”

“At Flint Hills Resources, we are in constant pursuit of innovative methods to achieve superior outcomes for environmental compliance and operational excellence,” said Chip Hilarides, Vice President, Quality & Stewardship. “Our CRADA collaboration with Molex and the EPA shows the power of transformation when technology, regulatory and industrial innovations come together. This collaboration is part of our overall stewardship approach to continually reduce emissions, enhance safety, and drive operational efficiency.”

The EPA fact sheet also includes the following quote: “This AMEL will be a landmark use of continuous leak detection systems at a refinery. Continuous monitoring has the potential to detect leaks, especially large ones, much faster than the current practice of monitoring periodically using EPA Method 21. This potential reduction in large leaks alone would lead to less pollution and cleaner air for communities near these sites.”