Hatch Scout

Oil/gas production tank hatch monitoring – Eliminate methane emissions

We calculate fugitive emission volumes from the thief hatch, real time, when leaking or venting.

EXCLUSIVE PATENTED TECHNOLOGY

Benefits the Environment AND Results in More Sellable Gas for the Operator

Advantis, LLC has developed and patented a new low-cost device to monitor, real time, tank thief hatches for methane emissions. When leaks or venting occur, the amount of methane released into the environment is calculated – an Advantis, LLC exclusive technology. An immediate notification is sent when the oil/gas production tank hatch status changes – whether open/closed/closed and latched/leaking or venting. When the hatch is open, closed but not latched, leaking or venting, methane and other volatile hydrocarbon gases are being emitted directly into the atmosphere. The amount of methane released into the environment is calculated during the leak/venting status.
This product offers a more complete, real time, and inexpensive solution for operators to know when methane is escaping and to calculate how much. The goal is to manage quickly and efficiently the reduction of methane gas emissions into the environment, thereby reducing its impact on global warming. Methane emissions are a high priority issue as global warming has been in the environmental forefront. One example is EPA’s recent proposal – the 2021 Clean Air Act – to reduce pollution from the oil and natural gas industry. In 2022 The Inflation Reduction Act passed with further wording toward fossil fuel methane reductions. Then in 2024 taxes are to be levied on industry where methane is released into the environment. This product is an innovative solution to provide actual (not estimated) tank hatch emission volumes and real time notification when the emission occurs.
The Hatch Scout provides active monitoring of tank hatches to determine if the hatch is sealed, leaking, venting, or open. Hatch Scout knows the difference between a leak (when the gasket no longer has a 100% seal but not fully opened) and when the hatch is in vent (when tank pressure is high enough to fully open and start using the hatch manufacturers volume flow chart). In either case, Hatch Scout calculates the leak or vent volume real time.

As each of these conditions change, a notification is sent to the operator.

Hatch sealed – closed and latched with proper spring pressure on the gasket.  The gasket has a 100% seal.

Hatch leak – there is just enough internal tank pressure to cause the gasket to rise off the landing ring.  The gasket is between 100% seal down to 0% seal.  Volume is based on empirical testing for the hatch.

Hatch vent – the internal tank pressure has met the minimum pressure on the manufacturers flow chart.  The gasket has 0% seal.  Volume is based on manufacturers flow chart for the hatch.

Hatch open – The internal tank pressure matches the external pressure.  There is no force on the gasket.

Currently this type of monitoring is not being done and operators do not know how much or how often methane is leaking into the environment. They can be fined for excessive venting as well as not having hatches latched.

Can Improve ESG rating

ESG stands for E nvironmental S ocial and G overnance, and refers to the three key factors when measuring the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment in a business or company. Most socially responsible investors check companies out using ESG criteria to screen investments. Active monitoring of methane gas at the production tanks is a low cost yet high return on environmental improvement and improved ESG scores.

LDAR – Real Time

This project is innovative because it brings real-time, around-the-clock, measurable data to operators as opposed to current methods, such as LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) programs that are not ongoing or measurable. LDAR detects emissions with a specified number of inspections per year. LDAR programs often do not cover all well sites at all. Even if emissions are detected and corrected, more fugitive emissions may occur and go undetected until the next inspection. Upcoming satellite monitoring systems will only be able to bring near-weekly reports. The Advantis system reporting is immediate.

How it Works

Hatch Scout has a combination of a force sensor and a pressure sensor. A very thin force sensor between the gasket and metal landing ring on the tank hatch provides a percent of gasket contact. As pressure in the tank increases, the force on the gasket seal decreases and at a point starts leaking. The pressure sensor provides internal tank pressure for calculating vent volume. The combination of force on a hatch gasket and internal tank pressure results in notifications of hatch status. Operators can immediately address the fugitive emissions. Included with the Hatch Scout solution is a self-contained field computer in an enclosure rated to U.L. 913 standard – meaning intrinsically safe for explosive environments.
This is a new concept and a patented technology (US 9764893).

Improves the Environment

Advantis’ hatch monitoring system has the potential to improve the environment by detecting methane emissions immediately and thereby preventing further emissions into the atmosphere. Methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, reducing the amount in the atmosphere reduces the impact on global warming.
The system has been in extended field testing, so the true measure of success will come as operators use the system to quickly address and correct methane emissions from tank hatches, the largest single source of methane emissions at an oilfield tank battery. LDAR and other emission monitoring systems will never be as effective in curtailing methane emissions as the ongoing monitoring of tank hatches. Depending on the site, tank hatches may vent many times daily and are opened once or twice weekly, so monitoring the hatch status is the only method to control emissions from that source.

Other Uses of the Technology

This technology can serve as a model for other applications that require a gasket/seal on their equipment to prevent spills or leakage. Examples are: railcar tanks, over-the-road tanker trucks, barges on intercoastal waterways, ocean going vessels, tanks and vessels in petrochemical plants, and general industry. The initial intention for the idea was focused solely on oil/gas production tank hatches. However, as development and testing were done, more ideas of how to use the product in industry became apparent. Advantis would like the opportunity to partner with others that may have ideas on how to apply the technology to benefit industry and the environment
This technology has the potential to greatly impact future environmental quality and slowing climate change by cutting methane emissions NOW.

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