scope:

This publication provides guidance on good environmental management practices to industrial gas facility managers. It does not give specific advice on health and safety issues; however, consideration shall always be given to these issues when conducting operational risk assessments before undertaking any activity.

Industrial gas facilities have distinct activities and associated environmental aspects that can impact the environment. This publication provides good environmental practices at air separation and helium production facilities, hydrogen and carbon monoxide facilities, and carbon dioxide facilities. It also provides good environmental practices for truck maintenance and distribution, acetylene and nitrous oxide manufacturing, cylinder fill operations, specialty gases operations, and customer installation (bulk tanks) activities.

Purpose

This publication identifies typical industrial gas industry activities and associated environmental aspects that can have a negative impact on the environment, and it identifies corresponding practices that can minimize or eliminate those impacts.

Environmental aspects can include solid/hazardous waste, air emissions, wastewater discharges, stormwater discharges, noise, and releases generated at various industrial gas facilities.

For each activity, environmental aspects, potential environmental impacts, and good environmental management practices (GEMP) have been identified that can be used to prevent pollution, minimize the generation of wastes, discharges and releases, manage any residuals and use of energy, raw materials, water, and land.