Challenge

A 12-inch propane pipeline was undergoing re-commissioning by a gas manufacturing company when a leak was detected. The affected segment, approximately 16 miles long, was isolated between two stations and held an estimated 12,000 barrels of liquid propane. Due to the high vapor pressure and flammability of propane, the customer needed to safely combust the product as quickly as possible while minimizing emissions and maximizing safety.

Solution

Envent Corporation designed and executed a turnkey vapor control and degassing solution using:

• Two 200-gallon/hour propane vaporizers to convert liquid propane into vapor

• A 20 MMBTU/hr Envent Mobile Thermal Oxidizer (EMTOS) to achieve full vapor destruction with >99.9% destruction efficiency (DRE)

• A dual-use strategy where vaporized propane served as combustion fuel and was also routed into the process line for destruction, increasing efficiency and reducing flaring

This thermal oxidation solution allowed the pipeline to be depressurized and degassed in record time—4 times faster than traditional methods—while ensuring full compliance with emission control regulations and maintaining a safe process.

Benefit

Envent’s use of a thermal oxidizer over a mobile flare provided critical safety advantages, including integrated detonation arrestors and real-time temperature and vapor monitoring. This minimized the risk of backflow ignition and ensured safe propane vapor control during a high-pressure operation.

The pipeline was completely depressurized and free of liquid propane vapors well within the customer’s timeline, showcasing Envent’s expertise in zero emission pipeline services, mobile vapor scrubbing, and flareless pipeline evacuation.

This project highlights Envent’s ability to deliver fast, compliant, and engineered vapor control solutions in pipeline emergencies—with safety, speed, and regulatory excellence at the forefront.