Ah, it must be national burn super toxic gas day at the refineries. I took the following shots for the highly active flares this evening. Not only with the fireworks, but the smell of this weekly event is just wonderful. The smell has gotten progressively worse for the years. Speaking as a person who lives downtown, if we want to attract people downtown with events and living spaces, we might want to take a look at these markers of the 20th century.
Sun:
(http://www.law.utulsa.edu/users/larrycurtis/pic/sun.jpg)
Sinclair:
(http://www.law.utulsa.edu/users/larrycurtis/pic/sinclair.jpg)
Ooooh preeety.[8D] Reminds me of the kewl intro scenes in Blade Runner. Perhaps we could build that huge pyramid building, the Tyrell Corporation, to complete the effect?
(http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/734/blade1va9.jpg)
(http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/3118/cap002nm5.jpg)
It was said on one of the news programs that the larger-than-normal flare tonight was due to the power outage. Not a direct participant, rather due to process being interrupted and having to burn off instead.
That, however, does not explain the fowl smelling cloud I drove through along South 75 last night.
The EPA tells us in their recent Sinclair action that visible emissions from the flare = violation.
We've already learned we cannot rely on the operations' brain trust to keep us safe.
Somebody lives at the University Club :D
The Busheviks removed safety requirements the second the war started to increase production and lower costs to the energy industry. Now that prices have subsided, the idiots in charge have yet to put the protection of our citizens back as a priority over industry profits. Our air is fowl and dangerous and the big fools say push on.....
I have studied somewhat in the area of oil and gas as well as environmental law - and this is the first I've heard of the removal of scrubbing equipment.
Perhaps you are thinking of the killing of the bill that would have required all old refineries and plants to conform to the new guidelines - instead of being grandfathered in as they currently are?
If you are trying to say that the guidelines were indeed drop, as you appear to be, please give me a source so I can better education myself.
::on a side note, Des Moines has a spice factory along I-35 for McKormic (sp?). It gives the city a different spell each day of the week - all better than tar. With the exception of cumin. ::
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
I have studied somewhat in the area of oil and gas as well as environmental law - and this is the first I've heard of the removal of scrubbing equipment.
Perhaps you are thinking of the killing of the bill that would have required all old refineries and plants to conform to the new guidelines - instead of being grandfathered in as they currently are?
If you are trying to say that the guidelines were indeed drop, as you appear to be, please give me a source so I can better education myself.
::on a side note, Des Moines has a spice factory along I-35 for McKormic (sp?). It gives the city a different spell each day of the week - all better than tar. With the exception of cumin. ::
Now there's a thought. Ad fragrance enhancers to the refinery flares! Different smell each week. Cinnamon, Bayberry, Strawberry. Then put up 30ft walls around the visible side of the operations and paint flowers on them. Seriously. Would be a lot of fun.
In 05 the EPA granted enforcement relief for the entire country allowing for the sale of gasoline with a higher Reid Vapor Pressure. Gasoline production was raised in Tulsa by Sinclair by 8,000 gallons per day. Then they proved what a horrible corporate citizen they were by further polluting our air and water and were just given hand slaps by our judicial system.
What happend to "ozone season" when the pressure was lowered? It went away. Call your Senators. Never mind. They could care less about the adverse environmental affects.
(http://www.law.utulsa.edu/users/larrycurtis/pic/flarepine.jpg)
Yup, a University Club Member [;)]
Flares? My Oil & Gas professor told me they were giant sticks of incense.
As per the pollution - they I thought he was saying they werent required to scrub at all anymore. I didnt remember that the vapor level restrictions were reduced. Thanks for the info.
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Flares? My Oil & Gas professor told me they were giant sticks of incense.
As per the pollution - they I thought he was saying they werent required to scrub at all anymore. I didnt remember that the vapor level restrictions were reduced. Thanks for the info.
Would that have been Dobie Langenkamp?
quote:
Originally posted by iplaw
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Flares? My Oil & Gas professor told me they were giant sticks of incense.
As per the pollution - they I thought he was saying they werent required to scrub at all anymore. I didnt remember that the vapor level restrictions were reduced. Thanks for the info.
Would that have been Dobie Langenkamp?
It very well could have been [;)]
quote:
Originally posted by Wrinkle
The EPA tells us in their recent Sinclair action that visible emissions from the flare = violation.
So this lovely Christmas Eve pic would indicate an...uh...violation?
(http://preview.sk786.photosite.com/~photos/tn/8368699_348.ts1171003180000.jpg)
Of course it was Dobie!
"See them flares? I love the smell of profits in the morning."
That made makes me chuckle, which is good.
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
quote:
Originally posted by Wrinkle
The EPA tells us in their recent Sinclair action that visible emissions from the flare = violation.
So this lovely Christmas Eve pic would indicate an...uh...violation?
(http://preview.sk786.photosite.com/~photos/tn/8368699_348.ts1171003180000.jpg)
...that would appear to be so.
In cold weather, it's important to distinguish between 'something' and steam. However, that doesn't look a bit like steam to me.
quote:
Originally posted by cannon_fodder
Of course it was Dobie!
"See them flares? I love the smell of profits in the morning."
That made makes me chuckle, which is good.
Brilliant man. I had him for Federal Energy Policy and studied the Bush Energy Plan. I didn't realize he was a member of the Sierra Club until after I took the class. I always loved when he discussed "tight hole" drilling processes...always good for a laugh.
He was both knowledgeable and good for a laugh. His stories that start "these hippies..." were personal favorites. He retired this year to start a oil company of some kind. I think he facilitates deals.
Of course, the rumor was he was being encouraged to leave as he was getting more and more lax with the rules and absent minded. In any event, gotta love Dobie.