Managing Inspections with Chateau LDAR Monitoring Software

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In the fast-paced world of industrial operations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations is crucial. Enter LDARtools’ Chateau, a powerful LDAR monitoring software specifically designed to help organizations manage and streamline their inspection processes.

For environmental engineers, industrial compliance officers, and LDAR professionals, Chateau offers a seamless solution for maintaining regulatory compliance while enhancing operational efficiency.

The Importance of Chateau

Chateau is an innovative leap forward for LDAR monitoring software, especially with managing inspections in industrial settings. It provides an all-in-one platform for scheduling and conducting various inspections, ensuring compliance standards are met and environmental safety is prioritized. For professionals tasked with maintaining LDAR compliance, Chateau simplifies the intricate process of organizing inspections, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—safety and compliance.

Chateau’s user-friendly interface and robust features make it an indispensable tool for anyone in the industry. Whether you are an environmental engineer overseeing multiple sites, or a compliance officer ensuring adherence to regulations, Chateau offers the ability to schedule inspections with precision and access comprehensive data.

LDAR Compliance and Four Key Inspections

In the realm of Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR), four types of inspections stand out for their critical role in environmental safety and compliance, and are integral components of any comprehensive LDAR program: M21, Optical Gas Imaging (OGI), Audio Visual Olfactory (AVO), and Cooling Tower. Chateau helps manage each one of these types of inspections in ways no other LDAR monitoring software can.

M21 Inspections

M21 inspections are the backbone of LDAR programs, focusing on identifying and measuring gaseous emissions from equipment in industrial facilities. Compliance with Method 21 regulations ensures fugitive emissions are detected and controlled, minimizing their impact on the environment. Conducting regular M21 inspections is vital for maintaining air quality and preventing adverse health effects.

Optical Gas Imaging (OGI)

Optical Gas Imaging represents a leap forward in inspection technology, enabling professionals to visualize and identify gas leaks using infrared cameras. OGI inspections enhance the visibility of invisible gases, providing a powerful tool for detecting leaks that would otherwise go unnoticed. This technology is instrumental in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable industrial practices.

Audio Visual Olfactory (AVO) Inspections

AVO inspections rely on the keen senses of inspectors to identify leaks through sight, sound, and smell. While simple conceptually, AVO inspections play a critical role in LDAR programs by providing an additional layer of detection. Trained inspectors use their expertise to spot anomalies, ensuring leaks are promptly addressed and environmental safety is upheld.

Cooling Tower Inspections

Cooling towers are essential components of many industrial facilities, responsible for dissipating excess heat. However, they can also be sources of fugitive emissions if not properly maintained. Regular inspections of cooling towers help identify issues such as leaks and inefficiencies, safeguarding environmental compliance and ensuring optimal performance.

Advantages of Using Chateau for Inspections

For environmental engineers, compliance officers, and safety professionals, the benefits of using Chateau LDAR monitoring software extend beyond scheduling and tracking inspections.

By automating the scheduling and management of inspections, Chateau reduces the administrative burden on professionals. This allows them to allocate more time to strategic tasks and decision-making. This efficiency translates into cost savings, as fewer resources are required to manage inspections and address compliance issues.

Additionally, Chateau’s centralized database ensures inspection data is accurate and easily accessible, eliminating the risk of data discrepancies and enhancing the reliability of compliance reporting. With accurate data at their fingertips, professionals can make informed decisions and implement effective corrective actions with Chateau better than any other LDAR monitoring software.

And finally, Chateau’s comprehensive tracking and reporting capabilities enable organizations to stay on top of compliance requirements. With real-time alerts and notifications, inspections are systematically conducted on schedule, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.

Conclusion

LDARtools’ Chateau is a powerful LDAR monitoring software for mastering industrial inspections, offering a seamless solution for scheduling, conducting, and managing compliance efforts. By understanding the significance of M21, OGI, AVO, and Cooling Tower inspections, and leveraging Chateau’s capabilities, professionals can enhance environmental safety and operational efficiency.

Ready to take your inspection processes to the next level? Explore the benefits of Chateau and discover how it can transform your approach to LDAR compliance. Contact us today at sales@ldartools.com to learn more about the advantages of efficient scheduling, accurate data management, and improved compliance outcomes. Your path to streamlined inspections and environmental excellence starts here.

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LDAR Options for Pegged Emission Rates and Analyzers

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Note: This article will outline the options available to LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) programs regarding pegged emission rates and analyzers, focusing on valves in light liquid/gas vapor service. The information is prepared solely for your consideration. LDARtools does not provide regulatory advice or guidance.

Originally published by Fugitive Emissions Journal 10/02/2024.

Definitions and Background

Pegged Emission Rate – The specified emission rate used for any leak with a “pegged” screening value (i.e., any PPM reading exceeding the Analyzer Peg Value).

 

Analyzer Peg Value – The highest PPM reading an analyzer is designed to detect.

 

When a PPM reading is higher than the Analyzer Peg – “The instrument measurement may exceed the scale of the instrument, referred to as a ‘pegged’ readout. For several instruments, the highest readout on the scale is 10,000 ppmv. For generating an emissions estimate, a dilution probe should be employed to measure concentrations greater than the instrument’s normal range unless average emission factors for greater than or equal to the ‘pegged’ readout are applied. Extending the measurement range necessitates calibrating the instrument to the higher concentrations.” (From section 2.3.3 of the 1995 Protocol for Equipment Leak Emission Estimates).

 

Calculation of Emissions Using Correlation Equation

To estimate emissions using the EPA Correlation Approach, measured concentrations (screening values in PPM) for each component are individually calculated by applying the PPM reading to a specific Correlation Equation, specified for that component type and physical state.

 

How it works: There are three possible scenarios in calculating emission for a specific component.

  1. If there is no actual inspection available (represented in PPM), then you must use the Average Emission Factors provided by the EPA for the component type and physical state.
  2. If there is an inspection available (represented in PPM), and the PPM reading is lower than the Analyzer Peg Value, you must use the specific Correlation Equation provided by the EPA for that component type and physical state.
  3. If there is an inspection available (represented in PPM) and the PPM reading is equal to or greater than the Analyzer Peg Value, then you must use the Pegged Emission Rate for that component type and physical state. This Pegged Emission Rate inevitably results in a significantly higher emission rate than would the Correlation Equation calculation (#2, above).

For an analyzer with an Analyzer Peg Value of 10,000 PPM, any reading above 10,000 ppm can be easily calculated using the 10k PPM Pegged Emission Rate. Similarly, for an analyzer that pegs at 100k, use the 100k Pegged Emission Rate (potentially subject to the calibration requirements below).

Considerations for Different Analyzer Peg Values

If you have an analyzer with an Analyzer Peg Value of 30k or 50k, it would be prudent to use the correlation equation up until that pegged value, and then use the 100k pegged value above it. However, this approach may result in an increase in reported emissions.

Example: Using an analyzer with a 30k pegged emission rate:

  • PPM value is 30,001 (a pegged reading).
  • 100k emissions factor converted back to ppm is 2.6 million ppm.
  • If using a 10k ppm analyzer peg, emissions reported would be about 912,000 ppm.

Converting mass back to ppm is not considered best practice, but is used here for illustration purposes.

Increased accuracy of reporting for components leaking between 10k and the analyzer peg value is a benefit of using a 30k or 50k analyzer peg, but pegged values could significantly increase reported emissions.

 

Questions

Do you need to calibrate to the Analyzer Pegged Value?

Maybe. The 1995 Protocol states: “The instrument measurement may exceed the scale of the instrument, referred to as a ‘pegged’ readout. A dilution probe should be employed for concentrations beyond the instrument’s normal range unless average emission factors for greater than or equal to the ‘pegged’ readout are applied. Extending the measurement range necessitates calibrating the instrument to higher concentrations.”

Since “higher concentrations” are not defined, one interpretation is to use the highest available concentration for calibration, which for methane is ~25k ppm in air (above which it becomes explosive).

Another option is to have a factory calibration done annually at 100,000 ppm. This calibration would persist during routine daily calibration.

 

What is my Analyzer Peg Value?

The 1995 protocol was developed with analog analyzers that could not exceed the meter dial’s printing. Modern analyzers use dynamic ranging to extend the upper limit significantly, but accuracy and linearity above 10,000 ppm (except for phx42) are uncertain, especially without higher value calibration.

The 2011 & 2015 protocols state: “If the monitoring instrument measures concentrations only up to 10,000 ppmv or 100,000 ppmv, the applicable values for pegged emission rates in Table 2-2 (below) are used to estimate emissions.”

 

Factors Determining Max Reliable PPM

  1. Hardware on the Circuit Board: This chip reads minimal current from the detector. Better accuracy at low ppms generally means a lower max reading before saturation. Analyzers impacted: All.
  2. Software Controlled Max PPM Value: Possible for phx42 but not implemented.
  3. Lack of O2 to Maintain Flame: For sample pumps providing combustion air (assuming methane), the limit is ~50k ppm. Linearity is impacted below this, and calibration to a higher value like 25k ppm can somewhat correct for this for values below the calibration point. Analyzers impacted: phx21, TVA1000b, and TVA2020.
  4. Detector Temperature Max: Prevents Teflon inside the detector from overheating; this only applies to phx42. The limit will not initiate shutdown until well over 100k ppm for some time.

 

Specifications from Common Manufacturers (as of 07/29/24)

TVA1000b:

  • Dynamic Range: 5-2,000 ppm (PID) isobutylene; 0.5-50,000 ppm (FID) methane
  • Linear Range: 5-500 ppm (PID) isobutylene; 0.5-10,000 ppm (FID) methane

TVA2020:

  • FID Instrument: ±10% of reading or ±1.0 ppm, from 1.0 to 10,000 ppm
  • Dynamic Range: 5-2,000 ppm (PID) isobutylene; 0.5-50,000 ppm (FID) methane
  • PID Instrument: ±20% of reading or ±0.5 ppm, from 0.5 to 500 ppm
  • Concentration: FID: 0-30,000 ppm (methane); PID: 0-2,000 ppm (isobutylene)

PHX21:

  • Range: 0-50,000 ppm Methane

phx42:

  • Range: 0-100,000+ ppm Methane
  • When calibrated to Zero and 25,000ppm Methane, 15% accuracy is maintained at 100,000ppm.
  • Annual Factory Calibration is available for 100,000ppm. A factory calibration will not be overwritten by daily calibrations in the lower spans.
  • Higher linear performance due to combustion air scrubber and second pump preventing oxygen displacement in combustion air.

Conclusion

End Users must determine the digital equivalent to “off scale,” “measures,” and the necessary calibration requirements. These decisions will determine what to select for your Analyzer Peg Value.

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Winter Weather Update for 1/22/2025

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Due to winter weather in the Houston area, our home office in Dickinson will be closed Wednesday morning (1/22) until 12:00 PM.

Support responses might also be delayed.

Please call 877-788-1110 x 6 before coming to the office to pick up or drop off.

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Winter Weather Advisory for 1/21 – 1/22/2025

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Due to winter weather in the Houston area, our home office in Dickinson will be closed Tuesday 1/21 and may also be closed Wednesday 1/22.

Support responses might also be delayed.

Please call 877-788-1110 x 6 before coming to the office to pick up or drop off.

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Chateau: Streamlining Inspections with a Cloud-based Database

Managing inspections can be a daunting task, especially when juggling multiple inspection types such as M21, OGI, AVO, and Cooling Tower checks. Each inspection requires unique tools, methodologies, and documentation, making it challenging to stay organized while ensuring compliance. Fortunately, with Chateau, scheduling and managing these inspections in a cloud-based database has never been easier or more efficient.

 

Why Choose Chateau for Your Inspections?

Chateau isn’t just a database; it’s a powerful cloud-based database specifically designed to simplify inspection management. Trusted by industry professionals, it offers unmatched reliability, precision, and adaptability. Whether you’re overseeing environmental compliance, safety protocols, or operational standards, Chateau provides an all-in-one platform that ensures every inspection type is executed seamlessly.

 

Key Benefits:

  • Centralized Management: Access all inspection data from one secure location, eliminating the need for multiple platforms.
  • Improved Efficiency: Automate scheduling and reduce the risk of missed inspections.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Stay ahead of industry regulations with streamlined documentation and reporting features.
  • Scalability: Ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small teams to enterprise-level operations.

Scheduling M21 Inspections

M21 inspections, performed under EPA regulations, involve using a flame ionization detector (FID)—commonly known as a Toxic Vapor Analyzer or TVA—or other approved instruments to measure emissions from equipment components. With a cloud-based database platform such as Chateau, scheduling and tracking M21 inspections becomes straightforward.

  • Custom Scheduling: Set recurring M21 inspections and assign specific technicians.
  • Data Integration: Automatically log emission readings into your Chateau database for easy analysis and reporting.
  • Prevent Overlaps: Ensure inspections are coordinated without conflicting with other operational activities.

Chateau’s intuitive interface ensures each M21 inspection is completed on time while maintaining precise record-keeping for regulatory submissions.

 

Managing OGI Inspections

OGI (Optical Gas Imaging) inspections require advanced infrared technology to detect gas leaks. These inspections are critical for environmental safety and compliance under regulatory frameworks like NSPS OOOOa.

  • Dynamic Workflows: Tailor workflows to align with your OGI inspection requirements.
  • Archiving Footage: Store captured OGI footage securely and link it to corresponding inspection records within Chateau.

With Chateau’s robust capabilities, OGI inspections are conducted efficiently while ensuring that all findings are meticulously documented.

 

Simplify AVO Inspections

Audio, Visual, and Olfactory (AVO) inspections are often the first line of defense in identifying leaks or equipment malfunctions. Unlike instrument-based inspections, AVO relies on a technician’s senses to detect irregularities.

  • Flexible Scheduling: Set weekly, monthly or annual AVO inspections at the component level.
  • Instant Documentation: Record observations directly into Chateau using a handheld.
  • Team Coordination: Assign inspections to technicians.

By bringing AVO inspections into a cloud-based database platform like Chateau, businesses gain a streamlined way to combine their sensory-based findings with other data-driven inspections.

 

Optimize Cooling Tower Inspections

Cooling Tower inspections play a vital role in maintaining energy efficiency. With Chateau, tracking these often-complex inspections becomes hassle-free.

  • Comprehensive Checklists: Create and manage detailed inspection checklists tailored to cooling tower systems.
  • Automated Alerts: Receive notifications when inspections are due or elements require prompt attention.
  • Historical Insights: Access historical data to monitor trends and plan maintenance schedules proactively.

Chateau allows teams to safeguard cooling tower performance while ensuring regulatory compliance standards are met.

 

Why a Cloud-based Solution Benefits Your Inspections

Unlike traditional, on-premise systems, a cloud-based database platform like Chateau offers unparalleled advantages for inspection management.

  • Accessibility: Inspectors and managers can access data from anywhere, ensuring seamless collaboration regardless of location.
  • Enhanced Security: Chateau ensures your data is protected with industry-leading cloud security protocols.
  • Scalability: As your inspection needs grow, Chateau adapts to support a larger database and more complex workflows.

 

Streamline Compliance and Inspections with Chateau

From regulatory obligations to operational efficiencies, inspections are a critical aspect of any industrial operation. With Chateau, you can ensure every M21, OGI, AVO, and Cooling Tower inspection is scheduled, managed, and documented to perfection in a cloud-based database.

Don’t leave your inspection processes to chance. Empower your team with a solution trusted by industry professionals worldwide. Experience how Chateau can revolutionize your inspection management system.

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phx21 End of Service

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Effective January 1, 2025, we will no longer repair phx21s, or make them available for rent. If you have a phx21 requiring repairs, please request an RMA by 12/31/24, and we will repair it if the required parts are available.

For now, we will continue to support phx21 troubleshooting through hardware issues, and supply the following parts for level 1 repairs while supplies last:

LPN Part Name
766 Glow Plug
1016 Probe Quick Connect
1157 Thermocouple
1163 Pump Assembly
1541 Batt. Connection Harness

Since the phx21 made its debut in 2008, LDARtools has worked to produce high-quality products and services for our customers. With 1,219 phx21s and 17 Brownie Celebrations (no machines in for repair) later, we say a fond farewell as the era of the phx21 draws to a close.

We look forward to our continued support of your LDAR programs with the phx42 and Chateau.

Please contact sales@ldartools.com if you need assistance with a quote.

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Celebrating Chateau with 1,000 Users and Counting!

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The achievement of 1,000 users is not just a number; it’s a reflection of the trust and satisfaction of our community.

Our users come from various industries, each utilizing Chateau to streamline processes, boost productivity, and achieve their goals. It is this diversity and the success stories of our users that drive us to keep pushing boundaries and setting new standards.

Chateau’s growth is not merely about numbers; it’s about the stories and the successes of our users. With a focus on delivering the best possible service, our platform has evolved significantly over time. Each update and feature has been carefully crafted to enhance user experience, ensuring that Chateau remains at the forefront of the industry. We’ve listened to user feedback and made continuous improvements, resulting in a platform that is both user-friendly and highly functional.

Click here to receive celebration stickers!

You can also email sales@ldartools.com with the following information:

  1. City, State  ZIP
  2. Street Address Line 1
  3. Street Address Line 2
  4. Complete shipping address (cannot be a PO Box)
  5. Email address
  6. First and Last Name
  7. Site ID or Company Name
  8. Number of stickers requested at your site

Thank you for being part of the Chateau community. Here’s to your continued success—and to reaching new milestones together!

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New Monthly Webinar Series: Chateau Connect

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Exciting News from LDARtools!

 

We are thrilled to announce our new monthly webinar series, Chateau Connect, dedicated to all things Chateau! Through Chateau Connect, we will provide all of you with a quick-dive into various Chateau topics each month. The purpose of this webinar, of course, is to not only improve your experience using Chateau, but to also show Chateau’s full capabilities in the world of LDAR database software. With this being our first webinar in the series, we would love to have you join us!

 

If you are a current Chateau user, you should have received a registration link in your inbox. If you do not see the email, please reach out to sales@ldartools.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

And if you are not a Chateau user but are curious as to what our new monthly webinar series will entail, you can get a sneak peek by booking a no pressure meeting with our Client Success Specialist.
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Ensure Environmental Compliance with LDARtools

Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs are essential for managing and mitigating fugitive emissions in industrial environments. Furthermore, by leveraging advanced technologies, such as the phx42 FID analyzer, SpanBox5 calibration system, and Chateau database software, you can streamline the detection, quantification, and reporting of leaks to ensure safety and environmental compliance.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an effective LDAR program using these tools.

Step 1: Set Up the phx42 FID Analyzer

The phx42 Flame Ionization Detector (FID) analyzer, also commonly known as Toxic Vapor Analyzer or TVA*, is at the heart of your LDAR program, designed for accurate detection of hydrocarbons to aid with environmental compliance. Begin by:

  1. Charging the battery.
  2. Powering on the phx42.
  3. Filling with Hydrogen.

The phx42 FID analyzer is an innovative tool to ensure a robust LDAR program for the purpose of ensuring environmental compliance.

 

*This is a misnomer, but also a term the industry has accepted to describe portable FIDs.

 

Step 2: Integrate SpanBox5 for Calibration Management

A quality analyzer is not enough, however. Additionally, you will need an efficient calibration system for your analyzers. The SpanBox5 FID calibration system is an innovative tool for automating the calibration and verification process of the phx42. To integrate the SpanBox5:

  1. Connect the phx42 to your gas bottles using the appropriate regulators.
  2. Perform calibrations.
  3. Sync the calibration data to maintain an accurate record of calibration history, which is crucial for compliance and auditing.

SpanBox5 Ionization Detector Calibration System

Step 3: Use Chateau Software for Comprehensive Data Management

Lastly, you will need a central to house all of this information. LDARtools’ Chateau LDAR database software serves as this hub for managing all the data collected from your LDAR program, and is the final step in meeting the highest standards of environmental management. Here is how to use it:

  1. Import data from the phx42.
  2. Utilize Chateau’s reporting tools to generate detailed reports on leak detection, calibration status, and compliance. Customize reports to meet regulatory requirements and internal standards.
  3. Maintain a detailed record of all detected leaks, repairs, and calibration checks. This ensures your LDAR program remains compliant with industry regulations.

Chateau LDAR database software

Conclusion

Creating an LDAR program with the phx42 FID analyzer, SpanBox5 calibration system, and Chateau database software offers a robust, integrated approach to managing fugitive emissions to ensure environmental compliance. By following these steps, you can ensure your program is efficient, compliant, and capable of detecting leaks accurately and responding promptly.

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New Chateau Onboarding Setup Pricing Structure

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Price increases are not surprising. In spite of rising prices for virtually everything we need, we have continued to invest in making our products the most innovative and valuable tools for the LDAR industry.
Effective August 13, 2024, all new Chateau quotes will include a Chateau Set-up/Import Fee to cover the cost of basic imports. All existing quotes will be honored with POs received before September 1, 2024, or the quote expiration date.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact sales@ldartools.com.

 

Through it all, we appreciate your business.
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