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INSIDE
M AY 2 0 1 1
VOLUME 43
NO. 5
COLUMNS The Editor’s Desk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07 While nanotechnology is a word we hear more often, how clear are we on what it actually means? By Roy Bigham
Legal Lookout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 California has proposed Prop 65 Listings under the Labor Code mechanism, but using such listing methods could set a dangerous precedent. By Lynn L. Bergeson
Green Connect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Energy efficiency is one of the most powerful tools in controlling global energy use and carbon emissions. By Barbara Quinn
State Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Environmental Rules change daily. BLR brings a few of the latest changes needed to stay in compliance. By BLR
DEPARTMENTS
14
EnviroNews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 PE Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 Odor Control Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Sampling/Analysis Equipment . . . . . . . . . 37 PE Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
FEATURES Plant-Wide Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
Classified Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Pre-selection provides integrated control and power system for improved efficiency, control, monitoring and reporting.
32 Choosing the Right HAP or VOC Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 How thermal oxidation can increase the sustainability of a chemical plant.
Staying Cool at School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
POLLUTION CONTROL SOLUTIONS FOR AIR, WATER, SOLID & HAZARDOUS WASTE
May 16-19, 2011 Chicago, IL Flip to Pages 34-35 to Check it Out!
MAY 2011
28
Designed by PE's Art Director Tammie Gizicki.
The right equipment was needed when proper control of a cooling system required repair to ensure that inhalable airborne particles could be controlled.
Wet Dust is Safe Dust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wet dust filters not only ensure regulatory compliance but can also improve worker comfort and production flow.
ON THE COVER
31
Choose HAP/VOC Control Pg 22 Cooling Tower Control Pg 28 Dangerous Dust Control Pg 31 www.pollutionengineering.com
Member
An aerial view of the Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Plant.
May 16-19, 2011
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EDITOR'SDESK Mistaken Communication While some people took offense at a comment I wrote earlier, I think it was really just a misunderstanding.
A
pparently, some people took exception to my comments and opinions in the March issue. Specifically, there was opposition to my mention that renewable energy from a business standpoint was not worth the investment. Opponents thought I was taking the side of business and saying that the environment did not matter when compared to profits. I think there was a misunderstanding. I suppose that has to be my responsibility since communication is my business. Everyone makes business decisions each day. Where will I buy gasoline? Which lamp should we buy? Where should we get our new refrigerator? In my family, I have to weigh what I would like to buy against the money in my pocket and that usually means I cannot do everything that I want to. I have to make a business decision. I have watched the development of solar panels, LED lighting, wind power, etc. for many years. I would like to put these technologies and perhaps others to work for me. However the investment takes 10 to 15 years to save in energy costs to make up the price I would have to pay. I don’t have the capital today to invest in tomorrow’s return. That is my business decision and I suspect that is why others are not rushing to their local green shop to buy these products either. That will change in my opinion. Eventually there will be a breakthrough that will make it more affordable as well as more accessible to the average person. But it may take some time to get there; how many decades did we talk about “the longer lasting light
bulb” as some sort of future-tech MacGuffin before we all started buying the twisty halogens? I saw a news item about a town in New Jersey. The local utility decided to place solar panels on many of the utility poles throughout the town. The labor to erect these panels is pretty high and the utility will need to raise rates to keep the project going. The populace is not pleased. Solar usage is expected to decline in Europe as governments are starting to cut back on tariff support. To the positive side, Professor Daniel Nocera from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently launched a new company named Sun Catalytix to manufacture a device that mimics nature’s photosynthetic process. The process needs only water to generate power. The power is storable and can feed a fuel cell during the night or very low sun times. See my blog titled Turning Over a New Leaf for more information. So while I stand by my original opinion, I also think that as science continues to advance and prices come down, the world will easily adopt a new energy plan. It will be as natural as the adoption of putting gasoline into the horseless carriage over 100 years ago. PE
Roy Bigham is Editor of Pollution Engineering. He can be contacted at
[email protected] Pollution Engineering Masthead 2401 West Big Beaver, Ste. 700, Troy, Michigan 48084 | Phone: (248) 362-3700 | www.pollutionengineering.com PUBLISHING & EDITORIAL STAFF Tom Esposito | Senior Group Publisher Doug Glenn | Group Publisher 412-306-4351 |
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[email protected] Roy Bigham | Editor 248-244-6252 |
[email protected] Contributing Editors Erin Manitou-Alvarez Lynn L. Bergeson, Esq., Neginmalek Davapanah Barbara Quinn
Sarah Sajedi Dr. Dianne Saxe Norman Wei Christopher Young
Michelle Maki | Project Manager
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[email protected] CORPORATE DIRECTORS Timothy A. Fausch - Publishing John R. Schrei – Publishing Rita M. Foumia – Corporate Strategy Vince M. Miconi – Production Lisa L. Paulus – Finance Michael T. Powell – Creative Holly Banks – Marketing Directories Nikki Smith - Directories Marlene J. Witthoft - Human Resources: Emily Patten – Conferences & Events Beth A. Suroweic – Clear Seas Research
MARKETING/REPRINTS/RESEARCH Jill DeVries | Editorial Reprints 248-244-1726 |
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BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information
MAY2011
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ENVIRONEWS PE Events
EPA Extends GHG Reporting Deadline
MAY 2011
The agency has extended the deadline for filing 2010 reports for GHG that were originally due this spring.
16-19 RemTEC Summit 2011, Chicago, www.remtecsummit.com
JUNE 2011 6-8
Sensors Expo, Rosemont, Ill., www.sensorsmag.com/sensorsexpo
6-10
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Berlin, www.conference-
6-10
16th Annual Contaminated and Hazardous Waste Site Management Course, Toronto, Ontario, www.con-
biomass.com
taminatedsite.com
7-10
China International Environmental Protection Exhibition and Conference, Beijing, www.brisea.com
12-16 AWWA Annual Conference and
Exposition 2011, Washington, D.C., www.awwa.org/ace11
13-14 Complete Environmental Regulations,
Pittsburgh, www.lion.com/eparules 20-21 Complete Environmental Regulations,
The EPA has issued a final rule that extends the deadline for reporting 2010 data under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Program to Sept. 30, 2011. The original deadline was March 31, 2011. The agency had previously announced its intention to extend the deadline on March 1, 2011. Under the GHG Reporting Program, entities required to submit data must register with the electronic GHG reporting tool (e-GGRT) no later than 60 days before the reporting deadline. With this reporting deadline extension, the new deadline for registering with e-GGRT is Aug. 1, 2011. The extension will allow the agency to further test the system by giving the industry the opportunity to use it and provide feedback. The EPA’s GHG Reporting Program, launched in October 2009, requires reporting GHG data from large emission sources across a range of industry sectors, as well as suppliers of products that would emit GHGs if released or combusted. The data will help guide policy decisions and the development of future programs, which the Agency might implement to reduce such emissions. It will also help industries and businesses find ways to be more efficient and save money. More information on these actions is available at www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/extension.html. Find additional information about the GHG Reporting Program at www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html.
Indianapolis, www.lion.com/eparules 21-23 15th Green Chemistry & Engineering
Conference, Washington, D.C., http:// acswebcontent.acs.org/gcande
21-24 A&WMA 104th Annual Conference &
Exhibition, Orlando, Fla., www.awma.org 22-24 Clean Energy Expo China, Beijing, www.cleanenergyexpochina.com
27-30 Bioremediation and Sustainable
Environmental Technologies, Reno Nevada, www.battelle.org 27-30 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop &
Expo, Indianapolis, www.fuelethanolworkshop.com
JULY 2011 4-8
Singapore International Water Week, Singapore, www.siww.com
18-21 Plug-in 2011 Conference & Exposition, Raleigh, N.C., www.plugin2011.com
AUGUST 2011 25-27 2011 China International Environmental Protection Fair, Dalian, China, www. sinoexhibition.com/ep/en
SEPTEMBER 2011 13-15 10th International Conference on Filtration, Leogong, Austria, www.p84. com/product/p84/en/about/eventsfairs/Pages/default.aspx
EU Emissions Increase According to data released by the European Commission on Climate Action, industrial and utility emissions increased in 2010 by about 3 percent. Analysts said this represented the first increase in three years. They said the major reason for the increase was the exceptionally cold winter that boosted energy consumption for heating. Economists said that while carbon allowances had decreased, there was still an oversupply. In 2009 there were allowances of 4.8 percent and the figure decreased to 1.9 percent in 2010.
Two New EPA Publications Technology News and Trends (EPA 542-N-11-001) highlights techniques to enhance site investigations through advanced data integration and high-resolution technology such as membrane interface probes, electrical resistivity imagery, and compound specific isotope analysis. In addition to improving the conceptual site model, use of these field and laboratory tools can aid in the selection of innovative design, construction, and monitoring approaches facilitating increased use of in situ cleanup remedies (March 2011, 6 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm . The EPA’s Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) has prepared a 28-page fact sheet (Evapotranspiration Cover Systems for Waste Containment – EPA 542-F-11-001) updating the 2003 fact sheet on evapotranspiration landfill cover systems. The document provides information on the regulatory setting for such covers; general considerations in their design, performance, and monitoring; and developmental and implementation status as of early 2011. Examples of installed evapotranspiration cover systems are provided with supporting performance data, as well as a list of 222 sites that have proposed, approved, and installed the covers. View or download the document at http://clu-in.org/techdirect/techpubs.cfm.
Visit the Calendar of Events at www.pollutionengineering.com for additional information. MAY2011 www.pollutionengineering.com
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LEGALLOOKOUT By Lynn L. Bergeson
A Dangerous List California has proposed Prop 65 Listings under the Labor Code mechanism, but using such listing methods could set a dangerous precedent. n March 4, 2011, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) proposed to list four chemicals as known to the state to cause cancer under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act (Prop 65) based on the Labor Code mechanism contained in Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8(a). The four substances are: cyclopenta[cd]pyrene, ethanol in alcoholic beverages, leather dust and salted fish, Chinese-style.
O
Background Prop 65 was enacted in 1986 to protect citizens and the state’s drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals. Prop 65 requires the governor to publish, at least annually, a list of such chemicals. Chemical product manufacturers, distributors and formulators have been challenged to label their products accordingly and make appropriate notifications, or determine the requirements do not apply because of safe harbor provisions. Historically, OEHHA has relied upon the authoritative body, qualified experts or formally required mechanisms to list chemicals. In 2008, OEHHA requested comment on the utility of another listing mechanism, namely listing any substance identified by Labor Code sections 6382(b) (1) and 6382(d). That code references chemicals identified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), while Labor Code section 6382(d) references chemicals listed pursuant to the federal Hazard Communications Standard (HCS), under regulations found at 29 C.F.R. section 1910.1200, which includes known and probable carcinogens identified by IARC, substances identified as known or probable carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and several other substances identified as carcinogens by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. Industry strongly objected to using the Labor Code mechanism. They said the proposal would allow chemicals with no public input or OEHHA opportunity to comment on the underlying science of the listing, which is very different from the other listing mechanisms. In 2009, the Alameda County Superior Court with OEHHA finding that Prop 65 imposed a “clear ministerial duty” to list substances known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity as identified by reference to the
Labor Code. Appeals are ongoing. The proposed listings are the first substances added under the Labor Code mechanism since June 12, 2009, when OEHHA added 30 chemicals. On March 4, 2011, OEHHA stated that three of the four substances proposed for listing (ethanol in alcoholic beverages, leather dust and salted fish, Chinese-style) have been identified by IARC as Group 1 (the agent is carcinogenic to
“
The availability and use of this listing mechanism sets a dangerous precedent.
humans) and the fourth substance proposed for listing (Cyclopenta[cd]pyrene) is identified by IARC as Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans). In comments regarding its June 2009 proposed listings, concerns had been raised that OEHHA could propose to list chemicals under the Prop 65 Labor Code mechanism that have not been determined carcinogenic. Here’s how: IARC identified a substance as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), even though under that categorization IARC could designate a substance based on insufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans or experimental animals and that lack of evidentiary sufficiency would not support a listing decision via the authoritative body mechanism under Prop 65.
”
Discussion The availability and use of this listing mechanism sets a dangerous precedent. Because of the ease with which chemicals can be listed, this mechanism could easily become the mechanism of choice. It also seems premature to rely on this mechanism until the judicial appeal process has run its course. PE
Lynn L. Bergeson is managing director of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., a Washington, D.C., law firm focusing on conventional and engineered nanoscale chemical, pesticide, and other specialty chemical product approval and regulation, environmental health and safety law, chemical product litigation, and associated business issues, and President of The Acta Group L.L.C. and The Acta Group EU Ltd. with offices in Washington, D.C., and Manchester, U.K.
MAY2011 www.pollutionengineering.com
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Plant-Wide CONT Pre-selection provides integrated control and power system for improved efficiency, control, monitoring and reporting.
By ROCKWELL AUTOMATION
h river town of Kingston, he O Ontario, sits at the crossroads o of the world’s largest freshwatter system. In one direction: tthe extreme northeast corner of Lake Ontario, the mouth of the Great Lakes. The opposite way: the beginning of the St. Lawrence River, which ends in the Atlantic Ocean. Utilities Kingston, owned by the city, provides asset management, billing, and operational services to utilities in the water and wastewater, natural gas, and electricity industries. The $103 million (Canadian) expansion of the Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, used state-of-the-
T 14
Pollution Engineering MAY2011
art equipment and implemented several best practices that plant managers see as a model for municipalities worldwide. By making the plant as efficient as possible, the utility helps protect the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence basin and communities downstream. “The city of Kingston aims to become the most sustainable city in Canada, and Utilities Kingston has contributed to this goal in a major way,” said Jim Keech, the utility’s CEO. In 2009 the design engineers completed an upgrade of the existing 50-year-old water pollution control plant from primary treatment to secondary biological treatment with one of North America’s largest
biological aerated filter (BAF) installations. It increased average daily capacity by 30 percent, from 72,800 cubic meters per day to 95,000 cubic meters per day. Implementing a plant-wide integrated control and power system designed by Rockwell Automation helped streamline and standardize plantwide control, and contributed to completing the project under budget and six months ahead of schedule.
Challenge The goals for the WWTP were to increase effluent capacity; to improve effluent air and water quality; to reduce noise; and to provide superior biosolids handling, energy savings and efficiency.
Plant-Wide CONTROL
ROL The biosolids handling system produced a product that meets specifications for land applications.
From past experience, the engineers found that control platforms with multiple disciplines were difficult to integrate, scale and coordinate. “If we had multiple MRO [maintenance, repair and operations] systems, we would then have to rely on contractors, who would then have to rely on third-party suppliers – and that adds significant costs to us,” said Allen Lucas, utilities engineer and project manager for the WWTP upgrades. The variation in gear also made it difficult to assemble tender documents for the contractor bids. They wanted to find a better way to choose suppliers, manage the risk associated with startup and commissioning cycles, and improve maintenance and troubleshooting procedures.
“As the lead electrical engineer for the project, one of my major concerns is that we meet all the ministry requirements for environmental reporting and compliance,” said Louis Fournier, assistant chief electrical engineer at J.L. Richards, the engineering company working with the consultant. The plan was to achieve better process and motor control, monitoring, diagnostic and remote access capabilities, improve safety and reduce maintenance. An integrated system would upgrade monitoring and reporting to help meet stringent water industry regulatory compliance demands. The existing plant was a patchwork of various suppliers’ equipment, based on open specifications and low-cost bids.
Solutions
not just the up-front capital costs,” said CEO Keech. In the municipal market, pre-selection of process equipment allows the owner and design team to competitively select a supplier and tailor the design to the specific process. A defined specification and a weighted system based on operations, performance, maintenance, safety and financial aspects, is the key to quality-based selection, but it also takes into account other benefits. “Above and beyond the obvious review of the proposed components,” said Lucas, “a significant portion of the evaluation was based on suppliers’ references, experience, proposal clarity, impressions during the full-day demonstration and interview, and their field services and factory acceptance plan.”
Working together, the engineering companies found suppliers to partner with for pre-approved equipment to meet specified criteria and deliver the best long-term value. “We put out a pre-selection package for motor control centers and controllers, and went out to various suppliers looking for not just equipment but a solution that included partnering with suppliers and integrating the technology from a top to bottom approach,” said Lucas. Lucas saw a streamlined design and bidding process as presenting a clear understanding of the features that are most important, and leading to competitive pricing. “We tried to focus on the long-term lifecycle costs and overall sustainability,
An engineer from Utilities Kingston checked the installation of a control module while a plant operator watches. MAY2011 www.pollutionengineering.com
15
Plant-Wide CONTROL
Above is a typical control screen that provides operators with realtime information on the operation of plant systems. The operator can take actions as needed or schedule required maintenance before a breakdown can occur.
The engineering consultants chose an automation process that included programmable automation controllers (PACs), intelligent motor control centers (MCCs) and variable frequency drives, as well as field services including phone and online support. “We pre-selected the MCCs and PACs together because they are the nerve center of the project and we wanted to take MCCs and starters out of the tender document where they are often treated as commodities similar to nuts and bolts,” said Fournier. “Our experience has shown that the integration of the components can often delay a project or in many cases leave a very unhappy client.” The supplier integrated all of the process operations, controls and motor controls into one system. The process used networking architecture technologies Ethernet and DeviceNet. Ethernet provided the computer networking infrastructure, replacing conduits and wires for each I/O to help reduce wiring and
installation costs. Real-time monitoring was provided using Allen-Bradley PACs installed across the plant. The primary effluent pumps, centrifuges, sludge pumps, chain and flight sludge collectors, blowers, compactors, and HVAC equipment were given motor control centers and variable frequency drives. A solid-state motor control soft starter was installed on the blowers to provide intelligence, advanced protection, diagnostics and communication. It included an integrated bypass to minimize heat generation during run time; the bypass automatically closes when the motor reaches its nominal speed, resulting in a cooler-running component and compact enclosure. Also integrated into the plant’s system were the AC drives to provide improved process control. The drives were meant to provide additional process information from the drive level and automatically disperse it to any part of the plant through the architecture.
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Pollution Engineering MAY2011
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