2025 Valero Report on Guiding Principles - Flipbook - Page 33
Introduction
Safety
Environment
Community
People
Governance
Appendix
Managing Air Emissions
In addition to the comprehensive air monitoring programs already deployed at our re昀椀neries as required by
regulations and/or air permits, we have implemented advanced monitoring systems that go beyond regulations
that identify opportunities to reduce air emissions. Ambient air measurements allow re昀椀neries to monitor the
surrounding communities and take early response and mitigation actions even on small emissions sources. We
have the following air monitoring programs:
GMAP Vans Equipped with Duvas DV3000 Instruments
provide real-time mobile air monitoring and quality
screenings. The vehicle-mounted DV3000 is a monitoring
instrument with a gas analyzer that uses ultraviolet
spectroscopy and a meteorological station to identify and
quantify up to 14 different gases, including benzene, SO2
and NO x , at low part-per-billion levels. With an analyzer
response time as short as one second, the DV3000
combines measurements with geographic mapping of
gas concentrations, and enables rapid detection and
source location of air emissions during monitoring.
ATLAS Emissions Management platform
was implemented in 2024 to streamline emissions
calculations and reporting, support permit compliance
tracking, drive consistency across Valero’s facilities, and
facilitate company-wide benchmarking and air emissions
performance initiatives. Additionally, accounting-style
data quality controls have been built into the platform to
assure information integrity.
NEW
Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) are
placed in the outlet stacks of certain 昀椀red equipment
(boilers and heaters) as well as process vents like the
Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU). CEMS continuously
measure the concentration of compounds, such as NOx
and SO2, exiting the stack to con昀椀rm operations are within
permitted limits.
Continuous Flare Monitoring Systems are installed on
昀氀ares to measure the amount of process gases routed to
the 昀氀are for destruction and track operational parameters
to con昀椀rm the 昀氀are is operating properly.
Stack Testing is conducted periodically on equipment to
con昀椀rm it is operating properly and within permitted limits.
Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs ensure our
operating sites comply with the EPA's air quality regulations
for reducing fugitive emissions. Inspections are conducted
on a routine basis. Leaks identi昀椀ed are 昀椀xed and remonitored to con昀椀rm repairs were effective. In 2023, we
implemented an enhanced LDAR program using optical
gas imaging, resulting in improved leak identi昀椀cation and
cost savings.
Routine Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) Inspections of
storage tanks, wastewater treatment operations and other
equipment are performed using OGI cameras equipped
with infrared technology capable of detecting VOC leaks
that are not visible to the naked eye.
NEW
Leak Detection Sensor Networks (LDSN)
is a pilot program to drive the next generation of leak
detection. Strategically placed throughout a process
unit or facility, LDSN is a network of real-time air quality
monitors that offers continuous leak monitoring, and
enables faster detection of leaks to augment process
safety and emissions reduction efforts.
Unit Battery Limits Monitors placed around the
perimeter of re昀椀nery process units continuously
measure for target compounds. These stationary air
monitors serve as an early warning system if elevated
concentrations are detected.
Personal Gas Monitors are being used throughout all
Valero re昀椀neries. Employees and contractors are required
to wear this monitor while in and around process units.
The monitors sound an alarm and record the event when
elevated levels of gases are detected.
Upgraded Personal Four-Gas Monitors are
NEW
being rolled out to continuously measure O2 , CO, H 2S and
lower explosive limit.
Fenceline Benzene Monitors are located around a
majority of our re昀椀neries at designated intervals to collect
composite samples. Additionally, environmental Gas
Chromatographs (eGCs), stationary analyzers that detect
chemicals in ambient air or speci昀椀c compounds such
as benzene, are deployed at certain sites in areas at or
inside the fenceline to allow for advanced noti昀椀cation of
elevated concentrations.
Methane emissions are mainly associated with the extraction and transportation of
oil and gas, and smaller methane emissions may also be emitted from 昀氀ares or fuel
gas combustion as part of the re昀椀ning process. Although our re昀椀neries use natural
gas, methane emissions account for less than 1% of our GHG emissions inventory.
Valero Report on Guiding Principles •
33
