Leak detection and repair (LDAR) is a process that maintenance teams use to identify and fix air, water, gas and other types of leaks in gas and oil pipelines, tanks, and other equipment. The purpose of LDAR is to prevent major accidents, wasted resources leading to higher costs, and underperforming assets. A LDAR program also helps organizations comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
A leak is any unwanted escape of liquid, gas or energy from a pipe system. Leaks can have a negative impact on asset health and lead to operational waste in maintenance. They can also be potentially dangerous for the environment and people living near a production facility or pipeline (like in the case of a chemical leak). The health and safety implications of certain leaks makes it essential to repair leaks as soon as possible. Some examples of leaks include:
Leak detection and repair improves maintenance operations by enabling teams to closely monitor, manage, and repair leaks. For example, there might be an air leak in a piece of equipment. If this piece of equipment has leak detection technology monitoring its performance, this system can notify a team so they can repair it immediately. This would eliminate the risk of costly repairs and further damage to the equipment. Regular preventive maintenance on equipment can also be part of a LDAR program. Technicians can inspect components for leaks at regular intervals and identify any problems before asset performance is reduced.
In addition to helping teams manage their asset health and improve operation waste, LDAR also improves:
An LDAR program involves a series of steps that you can follow to carry out your leak detection and repair procedures. LDAR programs are a way for companies to standardize leak detection and repair, make it easier to keep assets in good condition, prevent waste, reduce breakdowns, increase safety for facility workers and operators, and to comply with EPA regulations.
The first step is identifying leaks in your system. For example with a gas leak specifically, this can be done by using an infrared camera to detect thermal radiation from cold spots on the pipe or equipment (which means the presence of escaping gas).
The second step is mapping the location of all leaks that are detected. As in our example with step one, for a gas leak you can use 3D mapping technology (like light detection and ranging or LIDAR).
The third step is to prioritize leaks based on their proximity to high-pressure areas (like compressor stations), their potential impact on employee and public safety, and their economic cost. Once these details are identified, a leak detection tool pinpoints specific leak locations for the repair crews' attention.
The fourth step is to make sure your team follows up with regular inspections after repairs are made so that no more problems arise.
Not all leaks are the same, the best way to avoid high-cost repairs is by identifying and fixing them before it becomes an emergency situation. With an LDAR program in place, your team can quickly diagnose problems before they become a major issue for your facility or plant.
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