Meghan Hodges
Condensate tanks are used to transform semi-liquid, semi-gaseous products of natural gas production into liquids. The release of gaseous contaminants from these tanks, used for hydraulic fracturing, is well-documented and widespread. The composition of condensates varies depending on their source and how they are processed, but they are typically composed mainly of alkanes and are low in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH). The main constituent of condensate released from an oil-injected compressor is water containing microscopic particles of oil and other contaminants. The pollution released from condensate tanks can have a negative impact on the environment and human health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main constituent | Water containing minute particles of oil and microscopic contaminants in suspension |
| Composition | Alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons, such as butane, pentane and hexane) and low in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) |
| Appearance | Colourless to yellow or brown |
| Properties | Very low density, very low viscosity, highly volatile |
| Storage tanks | Crude oil and gas condensate saturated with light hydrocarbons, including methane and other VOCs, natural gas liquids (NGLs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and some inert gases |
| Environmental impact | Oil droplets in the form of aerosols and vapours are present in the compressed air output |
| Contamination | Gaseous contaminants, Volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, iron and copper corrosion |
| Impact | Affects air and water, including drinking water, municipal water supplies, and irrigation water |
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What You'll Learn
Gaseous contaminants from hydraulic fracturing tanks
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a method used to extract natural gas and oil from deep rock formations. This process involves forcing water, sand, and chemicals into horizontally drilled wells, causing the rock to crack and release natural gas or oil. While this method has been used extensively, it has also raised concerns about its environmental and health impacts.
One of the primary concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing is water contamination. The chemicals used in the process can contaminate water sources, either through improper well installation, chemical spills, or ineffective containment of flowback water. Flowback water refers to the water used in hydraulic fracturing that flows out of the well, and it can contain toxic chemicals and hydrocarbons. If not properly stored and disposed of, this water can contaminate soil and groundwater, posing risks to human health and the environment.
In addition to water contamination, hydraulic fracturing also contributes to air pollution. The burning of excess natural gas, operation of heavy equipment, and use of diesel trucks can release toxic chemicals into the air. Moreover, the production of shale gas can lead to the release of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in fracturing fluid flowback wastes can also enter the air, posing additional health risks.
The use of hydraulic fracturing has been linked to health risks for workers, including the inhalation of silica sand and exposure to chemical spills and flowback operations. The presence of toxic chemicals and hydrocarbons in flowback water further exacerbates these risks. Additionally, the disposal of contaminated water through injection wells has been associated with seismic activity, including earthquakes in Texas and Oklahoma.
To mitigate these issues, measures such as secure storage of flowback water in heavy-duty tanks, double-lined pits, and maximising the reuse of flowback water can be implemented. However, the rapid expansion of the hydraulic fracturing industry underscores the urgency of comprehensive evaluations and effective remediation strategies to address water contamination, soil pollution, and air pollution associated with this process.
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Oil droplets in water supplies
Condensate released from oil-injected compressors primarily consists of water containing minute particles of oil and microscopic contaminants in suspension. The volume of water produced by a compressor is dependent on the inlet condition, the ambient air temperature, and the required application pressure.
The presence of water in oil tanks can lead to operational problems and tank damage. When water freezes, it can obstruct oil supply pipes, potentially causing system breakdowns during periods of high heating demand. Additionally, water accumulation creates a moist environment that promotes bacterial growth, leading to the formation of sludge and the production of acids that accelerate corrosion.
To address these issues, it is crucial to prevent water infiltration into oil tanks. This can be achieved through proper tank placement, regular inspections, and the use of water-finding pastes or soil contamination tests to detect water presence. By keeping water out of oil tanks, the potential for oil droplets to enter water supplies is significantly reduced.
It is important to note that compressor condensate containing oil droplets must be properly managed to avoid environmental damage and comply with water pollution regulations. Treated condensate can be drained into foul water drains, provided the necessary permissions are obtained from the local water authority.
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Volatile organic compounds in the air
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs are a group of chemicals that can vaporize into the air at room temperature and are mostly released during the use of products containing them. They are emitted from thousands of everyday products and can have serious short-term and long-term health impacts.
VOCs are found in both indoor and outdoor air. Some of the more familiar VOCs include benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene. They are commonly found in home cleaning products, building materials, personal care products, and outdoor sources that can enter homes. They are also present in industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene, fuel oxygenates such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and by-products produced by chlorination in water treatment, such as chloroform.
The US EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of location. Additionally, while using products containing organic chemicals, people can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after use.
Breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and damage the central nervous system and other organs. Some VOCs can cause cancer.
To reduce exposure to VOCs, it is recommended to read product labels, avoid or limit the use of items with harmful ingredients, safely dispose of unwanted products, and increase ventilation when using products containing VOCs.
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Ship-source condensate spills
Condensates are classified as a flammable liquid by the UN and are covered by Marpol Annex 1 (Prevention of Pollution by Oil). They are a generic term for a variety of very low-density, very low-viscosity liquid hydrocarbons that typically occur alongside natural gas. They can exist separately from crude oil or be combined with it. The term applies equally to condensate pumped in its liquid form from a well ('lease' condensate) or processed and separated from natural gas at a gas plant ('plant' condensate). Condensates are used as refinery feedstocks for the manufacture of products such as petrol, jet fuel, diesel, and heating fuels.
The Sanchi incident, which occurred on 6 January 2018, is the largest ship-source condensate spill reported to date. The tanker suffered a collision and subsequent fire and explosions that resulted in the loss of all 32 crew members. The majority of the cargo of gas condensate was consumed by the fire and explosions, and the remaining condensate broke up naturally in the wind and waves, with most of it evaporating within days.
Due to the nature of condensates, traditional containment and recovery operations are not recommended. Attempting to concentrate the condensate would reduce the rate of evaporation, and if the concentration of vapour becomes too high, it could cause the oil to ignite. In-situ burning is a potential option but may be challenging to achieve in a controlled manner unless in ice-infested waters.
Spills of condensate in the marine environment are relatively uncommon compared to other types of oil spills. However, the Sanchi incident has highlighted the potential risks associated with transporting condensate by sea. The incident has also brought attention to the lack of visibility of condensate spills, as it does not clump into black globules or produce visible slicks that can be easily spotted and pumped out. Experts advise that the best solution is to let it evaporate or dissolve, but it will remain toxic for a period of time and could have serious environmental and health impacts.
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Toxic substances from pressure changes
Condensate tanks are used to transform semi-liquid, semi-gaseous products of natural gas production into liquids. The release of gaseous contaminants from condensation tanks used for hydraulic fracturing is well-documented and widespread. These toxic substances are released due to pressure changes.
When crude oil and condensate are introduced into a storage tank, they experience a pressure drop, which causes gases dissolved in the liquid to vaporize or 'flash out' of the liquid state and collect in the vapour space between the liquid and the roof of the storage tank. These vapours, known as flashing losses, account for most emissions from storage tanks. Installing pressurised storage tanks to handle the produced liquids can significantly reduce methane emissions from this process.
The composition of condensates varies depending on their source and processing methods. They typically consist mainly of alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons like butane, pentane, and hexane) and have low Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) content, which is usually found in crude oils. Condensates are classified as flammable liquids and have a very low solubility in water, making them highly volatile.
The main constituent of condensate released from an oil-injected compressor is water containing microscopic oil particles and contaminants. The volume of water produced by an air compressor depends on factors such as inlet condition, ambient air temperature, and application pressure. Pressure dew point (PDP) is a standard method to measure water content in compressed air, indicating when air or gas becomes saturated with water and turns into a liquid state.
Compressor condensate also contains small amounts of oil aerosols and vapours, which can have a significant environmental impact. Proper disposal methods, such as draining treated condensate into foul water drains with the necessary permits, are crucial to prevent environmental damage and comply with water pollution regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Condensate is a generic term used to describe a variety of very low-density, very low-viscosity liquid hydrocarbons that typically occur along with natural gas.
The release of gaseous contaminants from condensation tanks used for hydraulic fracturing is well-documented and widespread. These include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), methane, disulfides, xylenes, and napthalenes.
The environmental impacts of pollution from condensate tanks include air pollution and groundwater pollution. These pollutants can travel long distances and appear in water sources used for drinking water, municipal water supplies, and irrigation water.
