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Annual report 2012 www.recope.com
Infrared technology for gas detection
The Refinery´s Department of Engineering Management
bought a camera that uses infrared technology OGI (Optical
Gas Imaging) to detect hydrocarbon gas leaks such as: benzene,
ethanol, ethyl benzene, heptane, hexane, isoprene, methanol,
octane, pentane, toluene, butane, ethane, methane, propane,
ethylene, propylene and xylene, among others. The camera can
detect leaks even if concentrations are very low (of the order of
10 parts per million ppm) and imperceptible to the human eye.
The costs of training and software amounts to ¢ 69.98 million.
However, the use of this equipment will increase safety levels
in areas where there is a risk of gas leaks, such as: valves,
flanges, pipes, tanks, spheres, compressors, etc. This technology
provides the possibility of finding the exact location via GPS,
thus allowing preventive reparation of faults located on the
equipment, and a reduction in the risk of accidents due to
explosive atmospheres
Moreover, the prevention of significant hydrocarbon gas
leakage shall provide savings and reduce emissions into the
atmosphere.
Security Training and Drills
In order to establish union ties and seek further training in
emergency response, the First Response Brigade Team of La
Garita participated along with other important groups of
the public and private sector, in the 2012 National Brigades
Tournament, held on the 19th of May, 2012 at Pedregal Center
for Events in San Antonio, Belén. The First Response Brigade of
La Garita was in charge of the SONDEL training program.
The competition was overseen by Costa Rica Firefighters
and sponsored by Bullard, FEMSA, Honeywell, Yoplait Yogurt,
Gatorade, Dragon Gloves, Procadi and Zoom Radio. It was held
from 8 am to 4 pm, during this time the teams had to compete
and overcome obstacles designed to improve individual and
group level performance and serve subsequent application in
each of the work centers.
SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The test comprised six stages; 30 brigades and 40 individuals
participated.
The first response teams from RECOPE´s Ochomogo, El Alto
and La Garita of Alajuela terminals also participated in the First
National Reunion of Emergency Brigades in October. This event
was organized by the Latin American Society of Professionals
in Human Safety (SOLASH.ORG) and held at the facilities of the
Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica.
The participation was coordinated by the Department of Health,
Environment and Security, the Distribution Management
and the Staff Development Department of the Direction of
Administration and Finance (GAF).