bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mercury control in municipal waste combustors and coal‐fired utilities
Authors: Krishnan S. V. , Gullett Brian K. , Jozewicz Wojciech
Published: February 2007

Control of mercury (Hg) emissions from municipal waste combustors (MWCs) and coal‐fired utilities has attracted attention due to current and potential regulations. Among several techniques evaluated for Hg control, dry sorbent injection (primarily injection of activated carbon) has shown promise for consistently removing high levels of Hg from MWC or coal flue gas. However, the performance in terms of amount of Hg removed per amount of sorbent varies widely between the MWC and coal‐fired applications and from unit to unit.

In this study, we have conducted bench‐scale experiments under conditions simulating MWCs and coal‐fired units to study Hg capture by dry sorbents. The effect of reaction temperature on the capture of different Hg species [Hg0 and Hg(II)] by various types of dry sorbents was the focus of bench‐scale tests. An attempt has also been made in this study to compare the bench‐scale results with results obtained from pilot studies and to explain disparities in fuel‐ and unit‐specific performance. Our investigations showed that the reaction temperature and Hg species strongly affect Hg control. The results obtained in this suggested the two following mechanisms for Hg capture:

Capture of Hg0 by activated carbons is limited by sorption kinetics, and

Capture of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) by activated carbons is limited by collision with carbon particles.
Process challenges and evaluation of bed agglomeration in a circulating bed combustion system incinerating red water
Authors: Acharya Prakash
Published: February 2007

IT Corporation (IT) has prepared a conceptual design of a red water incinerator pilot plant. This system consisted of a circulating bed combustion (CBC) system with a capacity of 5.4 liters per minute (L/M) (1.5 gallons per minute [gpm]) of red water followed by a hot cyclone, partial quench, baghouse, induced draft fan, and a stack.

Red water, a waste stream from the manufacture of trinitrotoluene (TNT), contains between 15 and 30 percent solids, of which approximately 45 percent are sodium salts and 55 percent are sulfonated derivatives of TNT isomers. It was anticipated that treatment of red water in a circulating or fluid‐bed combustor would result in the buildup of molten sodium and its salts on the bed material. The molten sodium and its salt may cause bed particles to agglomerate and decrease fluidization, ultimately resulting in failure of the system.

During the course of the design, several process challenges developed primarily due to the composition of the red water and its impact on the system components and optimization of process parameters. Of all the process concerns encountered during the process design of the CBC pilot plant, the challenges that most concerned the author are the role of sodium salts in agglomeration and defluidization at operating temperatures and high levels of nitrogen oxides/sulfur oxides (NOx/SOx) emissions associated with circulating or fluid‐bed incinerator of red water.

An initial treatability study utilizing a bench‐scale, 10‐centimeter (4‐inch) diameter fluid‐bed system that approximately simulates a CBC was conducted at Hazen Research in Golden, Colorado. Due to the nonavailability of the actual red water, a surrogate red water solution containing 15 percent dissolved solids was used during the 2‐day testing. The study focused on the role of the salts in agglomeration and defluidization associated with fluid‐bed incineration of red water.

This paper discusses the process challenges faced during the conceptual design of the pilot‐scale system and the results of the bench‐scale testing. Also presented are potential solutions and recommended tests and analyses for the pilot plant tests based on experience during the design of pilot‐scale system and the lessons learned from bench‐scale testing.
The haztimator knowledge‐based (expert) system: Providing Design and Time/Cost Estimates for Hazardous Waste Remediation
Authors: Staudinger Jeff , Oralkan Gaye A. , Levitt Raymond E. , Roberts Paul V.
Published: February 2007

Development, implementation and tentative validation of a prototype of the Haztimator system, a knowledgebased (expert) system (KBS) intended to provide design and time/cost estimates for hazardous waste remediation projects, is presented. The prototype evaluates one potential remedial alternative, soil vapor extraction followed by vapor‐phase granular activated carbon for air emissions control. Haztimator represents the first known expert system in the environmental field with a primary knowledge domain of system design. As shown by this work, the environmental field is a prime example of a problem domain where KBS development can be used as a tool for obtaining and exploiting “compiled” knowledge—knowledge which can be used to explain heuristics in terms of first principles.
Hindcasting volatile chemical emissions to air from ponded recycle oil
Authors: Thibodeaux Louis J. , Carver James C.
Published: February 2007

Because of weathering, while abandoned for over a decade, the floating oil at the site of a former oil recycling operation became depleted of numerous volatile and semi‐volatile constituents. The chemical record preserved in the bottom sediment provided the key information from which operating conditions over the period 1973–1982 could be reconstructed. Chemical concentrations in the oil could be determined and coupled with an environmental chemodynamic model to quantifying chemical release rates to air. The oil contained elevated levels of naphthalene. The oil, BTX fraction, several chlorinated solvents, and two PCB Aroclors were modeled. Annual average emission rates were 4000 kg for naphthalene, 840 for TCE, 300 for benzene and 14 for A‐1248. Fundamental results obtained are: a) the criteria required for using historic, bed‐sediment data to reconstruct key chemical processing information at a former plant site and b) field data on volatile and semi‐volatile chemical emission kinetics from deep, floating oil pools.
Industrial boiler retrofit for NOX control: Combined selective noncatalytic reduction and selective catalytic reduction
Authors: Groff Paul W. , Gullett Brian K.
Published: February 2007

A 590 kW (2 MMBtu/hr), oil‐fired, three‐pass, fire‐tube package boiler was retrofit with a combined selective noncatalytic reduction (SNCR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and demonstrated 85% nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction with less than 6 ppm ammonia slip. A urea‐based SNCR solution was injected in the first pass, reducing NOx and providing ammonia reagent for the SCR. A catalyst housing was designed to fit between the second and third passes, where the access doors of the boiler normally attach. The SCR catalyst volume of 0.04 m3 (1.5 ft3) provided a space velocity of 10,000 hr−1 at a pressure drop of less than 1.5 cm (0.5 in) of water. Numerous runs demonstrated system repeatability and ease of operation. Continued tests using an on‐line ammonia monitor, an on‐line reagent flow meter, and a different fuel were conducted to show sustained performance and applicability.
Chemical evolution of liquid redox processes
Authors: Deberry David
Published: February 2007

A multitude of processes have been proposed for removal of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous streams. Removal of H2S from sour natural gas streams is particularly difficult since low outlet concentrations must be reached before the gas is put into a pipeline. Liquid redox sulfur recovery (LRSR) processes use a solution containing an oxidizing agent that absorbs H2S from the gas stream and oxidizes it to sulfur. The chemistry of these processes has undergone considerable evolution in the last 30 years.

A number of tradeoffs must be considered in designing LRSR processes. For example, the rate of reaction of the oxidized agent with H2S often determines the scrubbing efficiency, but excessive rates of sulfur formation in the scrubber can lead to plugging. Systems based on vanadium and/or anthraquinone disulfonates (ADA) as the redox catalyst had several drawbacks, most of which can be traced to sluggish redox agent kinetics. Current LRSR processes use chelated iron as the catalyst for sulfur recovery. This gives faster scrubbing and re‐oxidation kinetics, but chemical degradation of the chelating agent can affect the economics of the process. Plugging of sorption vessels continues to be a problem in some applications. New nonaqueous solvent‐based or biological processes may overcome these problems.
Estimating physical properties for control equipment design
Authors: Logan Douglas A.
Published: February 2007

There is a great deal of information about physical properties available to engineers. The trick is in knowing where to find what is needed when it is needed. Many of the widely available sources lack information that is needed for process design. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) include relatively little physical properties data and no transport properties. Standard references like Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook, the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, and Lange's Handbook of Chemistry may not have data for a particular property or compound.

The handbooks have information about hydrocarbons, and some of the common industrial alcohols, ketones, and esters. Data on some common industrial solvents, such as the glycol ethers and their acetates, is rather sketchy in the classic manuals. What can an engineer do if there is a need for data not available in the common references?

For example, USEPA published several guidance manuals that present cost estimating techniques for air pollution control equipment. Engineers working in industry and for regulatory agencies apply the guidance in these manuals in trying to determine whether any of several control options represent the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) for an emissions source. BACT is the maximum level of control, considering economic factors as well as pollutant removal.

Even the simplified design procedures in USEPA's Control Technology for Hazardous Air Pollutants require information that is just not found on an MSDS. Incinerator operating cost estimates depend on the heat available from the pollutants, the heat of combustion. The sizing and cost estimating procedure for refrigerated condensers calls for vapor pressure data, the heat of vaporization, and the heat capacity (specific heat). A cost estimate for an absorption system to scrub air pollutants demands vapor‐liquid equilibrium information, diffusivities, and the pollutant molar volume.

Instead of starting a game of phone tag with the vendor's customer service department or spending several hundred dollars for a reference book you may not need again for five years, why not try estimating techniques for physical properties? These techniques have been around for a long time and offer reasonable accuracy within their limits. Estimated values are certainly accurate enough for budgetary‐quote‐level design procedures.

More accurate estimating techniques are available [3]. The drawback to more sophisticated methods is increased complexity. Often, the more precise estimate calls for a multi‐step calculation, with several adjustable parameters. The methods described here are fairly simple, either empirical formulas or group contribution schemes.
Modeling and optimization of a municipal treatment plant using enviropro designer
Authors: Santamarina Victor E.
Published: February 2007

The increasingly stringent environmental regulations on discharge standards have rendered the optimal design and operation of industrial and municipal treatment plants a challenging task. The new regulations require tracking and control of VOCs and heavy metals if such chemicals are present in the influent stream. Further, they require more effective removal of nutrients (organic nitrogen, and phosphorus). To address the above issues at our facility, EnviroPro Designer, a comprehensive environmental simulator from Intelligen, Inc., was used to model and analyze our wastewater treatment plant. The work was performed in two phases. In phase one, we developed and validated a model of the existing facility. In phase two, we carried out sensitivity analysis and evaluated a number of process modification scenarios. This paper will describe the findings of our modeling work and our experience from using EnviroPro Designer.
In situ biological treatment of TCE‐impacted soil and groundwater: Demonstration results
Authors: Sutfin Julie A. , Ramey Dotti
Published: February 2007

An in situ biological treatment technique designed to destroy trichloroethylene (TCE) was demonstrated at field scale at a manufacturing facility in the Midwest. Air and methane were injected into the contaminated groundwater through a vertical sparge well, while air was extracted from the vadose zone though a well screened in the unsaturated zone. A mobile demonstration test trailer housing air injection compressor, soil venting blower, and methane injection equipment was used to allow rapid equipment deployment, setup, and demobilization. Air and methane act to stimulate indigenous microorganisms to degrade TCE and dichloroethylene (DCE) via aerobic cometabolism. Toxic degradation products, such as vinyl chloride, are not generated by methanotrophic cometabolism.

The demonstration was conducted over a three‐month time period, with groundwater and soil gas monitored weekly for several chemical and microbiological parameters. The test successfully stimulated the methanotroph population to increase over one order of magnitude and soil gas carbon dioxide (a by‐product of biodegradation) concentrations to increase when methane was injected into the aquifer. In addition, groundwater volatile organic compounds were reduced by 60 to 80 percent in the groundwater monitoring wells that were sampled.
Coal gasification waste disposal—the impact of regulation
Authors: Chiu S. Y. , Barisas S. , Fradkin L. , Surles T.
Published: February 2007

Conversion of coal to synfuels is expected to produce a broad range of solid wastes requiring disposal and, inevitably, proliferating Government regulation. Where do we stand now?
Cement kilns as hazardous waste incinerators
Authors: Weitzman Leo
Published: February 2007

A detailed review indicates that standard cement kilns can be used safely for the destruction of chlorinated organic wastes.
Coal gasification process wastewater reusability: Separation of organics by membranes
Authors: Bhattacharyya D. , Kermode R. I. , Dickinson R. L.
Published: February 2007

A critical review of existing coal‐gasification processes demonstrates that operating conditions and coal characteristics have a significant effect on pollutant production.
Evaluation of methods for screening sewage scum
Authors: Cote Edward L. , Rogers Randy , McHarness Donald D.
Published: February 2007

The problems involved in screening sewage scum have been solved satisfactorily at the Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant. Here's how it's done.
Competitive adsorption by components of landfill leachate
Authors: Ahlert R. C. , Gorgol J. F.
Published: February 2007

A new approach to the construction of isotherms, with application to actual concentrated industrial wastes and landfill leachates.
Steel plant particulate bubble project
Authors: Steiner B. A.
Published: February 2007

A prototype program shows that significant improvements in ambient‐air quality can be achieved with a fugitive‐dust control program.
Direct filtration of water
Authors: Peterson Merrill A. , Baumann E. Robert
Published: February 2007

High‐turbidity raw waters can be successfully treated using a two‐stage, direct‐filtration system. A case‐history study.
A new look at chimney design
Authors: Schnelle Karl B. , Schnelle Karl D.
Published: February 2007

Maximum concentration formulas make it possible to limit ground‐level concentrations of pollutants.
Industrial wastewater treatment with a new biological fixed‐film system
Authors: Stensel H. David , Reiber Steven
Published: February 2007

The Biological Aerated Filter System—an innovative fixed‐film secondary wastewater‐treatment system for industrial application.
Optimized effluent treatment—implementation and management
Authors: Kloeckner David C.
Published: February 2007

An actual case history account of the development of an optimized effluent‐treating system at Amoco's Whiting, Indiana, refinery.
Microcomputers for control of industrial waste treatment
Authors: Jones Thomas T. , Sullivan David L.
Published: February 2007

Presently available microcomputers offer an inexpensive and powerful tool to operators of waste water‐treatment plants.
The SOLCLAUS process: Direct sulfur recovery from sour gas
Authors: Biedermann J. M. , Rossarie J. H.
Published: February 2007

Details of a new process for cleaning‐up sour refinery gases containing H2S. Sulfur is recovered as a liquid in a yield of more than 99%.
Papermill wastewater treatment
Authors: Lowry Jerry D. , Chwirka Joseph
Published: February 2007

Can the treatment of industrial and municipal wastes be combined in a single joint facility? Here is one answer based on actual experience in Brewer, Maine.
Pitfalls in the hazardous‐waste management business
Authors: Rothermel Terry W.
Published: February 2007

It is in the best interests of society that this business remain profitable.
Low temperature desalination of saline water
Authors: Rogers Alfred N.
Published: February 2007

Based on long‐term commercial‐scale experience in Israel, the “waste” heat from the turbine exhaust of a large power plant can be used for the low‐cost desalting of large quantities of brackish or sea water.
Maximizing water recovery/reuse via mechanical vapor‐recompression (MVR) evaporation
Authors: Weimer L. D. , Fosberg T. M. , Musil L. A.
Published: February 2007

A case‐history review of the application of a newly developed technology for increasing industrial water reuse and recycle.
Control strategies for VOC equipment leaks
Authors: Hustvedt Kent C.
Published: February 2007

A look at the development of control strategies for volatile organic compound leaks from processing equipment.
Delisting of wastes from metal‐finishing and electroplating operations
Authors: Goodgame T. H. , Blackman Gordon , Brown M. A. , Eichhorn Robert , Gasiorowski J. B. , Gatewood Richard , Haley David
Published: February 2007

A practical guide through the labyrinth of ERA regulations and administrative procedure.
Control of NOx in steel pickling
Authors: Karlsson Hans T. , Nilsson Lars‐Ingvar O. , Schuisky Georg , Bjerle Ingemar
Published: February 2007

A simple, inexpensive, and efficient method for controlling NOx in full‐scale pickling plants, based on actual experience in Swedish plants.
Recycling and metal recovery technology for stainless steel pickling liquors
Authors: Stephenson J. B. , Hogan J. C. , Kaplan R. S.
Published: February 2007

A review of recovery and recycling processes for spent nitric and hydrofluoric acid pickle liquors from stainless‐steel production.
Chemical emissions from surface impoundments
Authors: Thibodeaux Louis J. , Parker David G. , Heck Howell H.
Published: February 2007

A practical method for the field measurement of volatile‐chemical emission rates from wastewater‐treatment basins.
Simultaneous wastewater concentration and flow rate equalization
Authors: Patterson James W. , Menez Jean‐Paul
Published: February 2007

Simple models are developed and validated to predict the performance of waste‐strength equalization basins.
Solving environmental challenges of indirect coal liquefaction
Authors: Lobnitz Margaret M. , Webb Michael G.
Published: February 2007

Despite the current oil glut, worldwide oil resources are finite and dwindling. Long‐term research and development on coal‐liquefaction are still imperative.
Reverse‐osmosis membrane for treating coal‐liquefaction wastewater
Authors: Bhattacharyya D. , Jevtitch M. , Ghosal J. K. , Kozminski J.
Published: February 2007

Low‐pressure membrane separation processes are taking on importance for the purpose of permeate‐water reuse.
In‐situ biological oxidation of hazardous organics
Authors: Michelsen D. L. , Wallis D. A. , Sebba F.
Published: February 2007

Colloidal gas aphrons show good adhesion and retention in unconsolidated saturated soil matrices.
Oil shale—‐potential environmental impacts and control technologies
Authors: Bates E. R. , Liberick W. W. , Burckle J.
Published: February 2007

Where do we really stand today on the question of fuels from oil shales? Here is an authoritative assessment.
A methodology for predicting fugitive emissions for incinerator facilities
Authors: Holton G. A. , Travis C. C.
Published: February 2007

The ability to predict the possible range of fugitive emissions is an important step toward an increased understanding of controlling processes.
The environmental representative program
Authors: McLeod Bruce P.
Published: February 2007

Establishment of a group of environmentally trained plant personnel is aimed at preventing fines, citations, and negative publicity.
Trace contaminants challenge synfuels acid gas removal
Authors: Auyang Lun , Liu Y. C. , Petrik Michael , Siwajek Larry
Published: February 2007

The CNG acid‐gas removal process uses absorption of trace contaminants and hydrogen sulfide and triple‐point crystallization of carbon dioxide.
The performance of high‐efficiency electrostatic precipitators
Authors: Han Hso‐Pan , Ziegler Edward N.
Published: February 2007

Correlations relate fly‐ash resistivity to coal composition and cold‐side collection efficiency to operating variables for low‐sulfur coal applications.
Design of steam‐stripping processes
Authors: Bomberger David C. , Marynowski Chester W.
Published: February 2007

A new method for scale‐up of stripping columns is based on the use of a harmonic‐mean vapor‐to‐liquid rate.
Biooxidation of coal gasification wastewaters
Authors: Donaldson T. L. , Strandberg G. W. , Hewitt J. D. , Shields G. S.
Published: February 2007

Fixed‐film, fluidized‐bed bioreactors have been used successfully to treat dilute synthetic and actual wastewaters for long periods of time.
The nature of the CO2 problem: Certainties and uncertainties
Authors: Rotty Ralph M.
Published: February 2007

An authoritative look at the whole question of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. How serious is the problem and what present action can or should be taken?
Hazardous waste characterization extraction procedures for the analysis of blast‐furnace slag from secondary lead smelters
Authors: Woodley Nancy Karen Fish , Walters James V.
Published: February 2007

Quantitative data from actual field tests show that the carbonic‐acid content of the landfill area is critical.
Control of sulfur emissions from oil shale retorting using spend shale absorption
Authors: Van Zanten Kenneth D. , Chiaramonte Gerald R. , Bates Edward R.
Published: February 2007

A detailed engineering evaluation of the potential for using an absorption on spent shale process (ASSP) for controlling sulfur emission from oil shale plants was completed. The evaluation analyzes the potential effectiveness and cost of absorbing SO2 on combusted spent shale in either a fluidized bed combustor (FBC) or a fluidized transport system (lift pipe) for three retorting processes: Lurgi (lift pipe), Union C (FBC), Modified In Situ (FBC).

Conceptual designs were completed for the three retorting processes and the costs of removing SO2 by the ASSP approach were compared to the costs of removing either H2S (including other sulfur species such as mercaptans and thiophenes) or SO2 by the leading conventional sulfur removal processes. A number of significant process variables were identified and evaluated in the study. The study was performed under contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Regulation of toxic and hazardous air pollutants: Regulatory strategies, technical bases and policy considerations
Authors: Symuleski Richard A.
Published: February 2007

Strategies for regulating toxic and hazardous air pollutants have technical bases ranging from threshold limit values for chemicals, to emissions ceilings based upon ambient concentrations. Each strategy has advantages, technical limitations, and policy implications. Major options being considered for amending the Clean Air Act are reviewed.
Air pollution aspects of hazardous waste disposal in Texas
Authors: Bilsky Irvin L.
Published: February 2007

A case study of the review technique for toxic and odorous compound impacts in the atmosphere from proposed hazardous waste disposal facilities in Texas.
Biotreated coal liquefaction wastewater: Identification of organics by composite RO membrane concentration, HPLC, and GC/MS
Authors: Jevtitch Milan M. , Bhattacharyya D.
Published: February 2007

A combination of aromatic polyamide RO membrane, HPLC and GC/MS was used to characterize feed and permeate samples from a coal liquefaction wastewater. The residual organics after biological treatment and their rejections by thin film membranes were identified and tested. Various derivatives of lactams and nitrobenzene esters were detected as by‐products of the biooxidation process. Molecules of mass greater than 155 were not detected in the permeate. At 90% water recovery, the membrane showed 91% chloride removal and 94% total orgnics removal.
The air quality effects of a rail terminus on an adjacent office building
Authors: Foye Clement M. , Wilson John W.
Published: February 2007

Atmospheric dispersion models are routinely used to estimate the impacts of a proposed development project on the air quality of the surrounding area. These models generally assume straight‐line air flow from the emission source to the receptors of interest, and use meteorological data which are representative of the area. However, if the project is located in an urban setting with the receptors of interest in close proximity to the source, traditional models are inapplicable because airflow trajectories are complex and not characteristic of meteorological conditions at an airport several miles away. This paper discusses a methodology which was used to estimate the impacts of diesel train exhausts on the indoor air quality of an adjacent 16‐story office building. The elements of this study included a 60‐day monitoring program for ambient air quality, meteorology, and odor levels, to characterize present conditions, and a tracer study using sulfur hexafluoride gas to estimate the likely impacts of the project. This methodology can be applied to similar urban development projects, with modifications to suit the specific application.
Biodegradation of toxic chemicals using commercial preparations
Authors: Lewandowski G. , Salerno S. , McMullen N. , Gneiding L. , Adamowitz D.
Published: February 2007

Three commercial microbial preparations were tested for their ability to degrade phenol, 2‐chlorophenol, and 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), in an aerated biological batch reactor at room temperature (∼26°C). A municipal mixed liquor was used as the control. The municipal population performed better than any of the commercial preparations alone. However, there was an improvement in performance (for the phenolic compounds only) when the commercial preparation cultures were added to the municipal mixed liquor in a 1:20 ratio based on MLSS. Nevertheless, such a high rate of addition would be economically prohibitive.

Aqueous concentrations of the individual substrates were determined by direct injection into a gas chromatograph. Changes in the microbial populations were observed using standard plating techniques and light microscopy.
Treatment and disposal of wastes from dry SO2 control processes
Authors: Katzberger Steve M. , Rymarczyk Walter J.
Published: February 2007

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) control processes which produce dry waste products have attracted increased interest in recent years based on economic and environmental considerations. This paper compares the chemical composition and physical properties of fly ash and dry waste products from existing SO2 control processes with the properties of dry waste from emerging technologies such as furnace sorbent injection and fluidized bed combustion. Based on this information, design features are revieweded for material handling systems and for dry waste landfill sites. Environmental impacts from dry waste handling and disposal are discussed. The potential for commercial utilization of dry wastes from emerging SO2 control technologies is also addressed.
A rapid procedure for selecting attenuators for IITRI dynamic dilution olfactometers
Authors: Varshney S. C. , Poostchi E. , Gnyp A. W. , St. Pierre C. C.
Published: February 2007

Dynamic dilution olfactometers provide a range of odor dilutions for presentation to panelists. Reliable odor thresholds of source emissions can be evaluated consistently only if the unknown odor thresholds fall in the middle of the dilution range of the olfactometer being used for a given test.

This paper describes a fast and reliable procedure for ensuring that individual panelist thresholds will fall in the middle of the dilution range through selection of appropriate attenuators. The recommended approach makes use of the best capabilities of the ASTM and IITRI methods. It has been tested successfully with acetic acid vapors.
A study on the systematic control of CO2 emissions from fossil‐fuel power plants in the U.S.
Authors: Cheng Hsing C. , Steinberg Meyer
Published: February 2007

The increase in atmospheric CO2, which results primarily from combustion of fossil fuels for energy, could cause dramatic global climatic and environmental changes—the so‐called “greenhouse effect.” This study explores the technical feasibilities and the cost of controlling CO2 emissions from the stacks by removing, recovering, and disposing of CO2 from fossil‐fuel power plants in the U.S. It is estimated that up to a 10% reduction in the annual incremental atmospheric CO2 content would be achieved by the study control system. The total power required for such a control system ranges from 11 to 16% of the power‐generating capacity in various regions of the U.S. Overall, the study system could essentially increase the capital investment of a power plant by 70 to 150%, and increase production cost of electricity by 56 to 100%, depending on the location of the plant.
Automation of an electrolytic cell for the treatment of oily wastewater
Authors: Oblinger F. G. , Weintraub M. , Blais E. J. , Gealer R. L.
Published: February 2007

An automatic control system was installed and evaluated on a pilot plant for the electrolytic treatment of oily wastewater which was in operation at an automotive transmission plant. In this continuous process, the wastewater passes through a porous iron chip bed anode where the oil emulsion is demulsified by electrolytically dissolved iron, forming an oil‐rich floating sludge and oil‐free water. The control system maintains a low effluent oil concentration by adjusting the anode current—and hence the amount of iron dissolved—in response to deviations from a set‐point of effluent oil content, as sensed with an in‐line turbidimeter. The current automatically assumes the newly demanded value within about 6 to 10 minutes of a step increase or decrease in effluent turbidity. The system controlled the treatment of the widely varying plant wastewater continuously for 30 days, with no intervention or control adjustment and with a minimum of daily maintenance.
RCRA Trial burn considerations
Authors: Cudahy James J. , Busmann Thomas G.
Published: February 2007

The new Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste incineration regulations have ushered in a new era which will result in a better understanding of the significant combustion design parameters relative to hazardous waste destruction. This paper discusses some of the important issues involved with the RCRA trial burn program, RCRA trial burn database information, and three RCRA research trial burn programs. These programs have made significant contributions to an increased understanding of important incineration destruction and emission mechanisms.
Modeling the adsorption of target compounds by GAC in the presence of background dissolved organic matter
Authors: Smith Edward H. , Tseng Szu‐Kung , Weber Walter J.
Published: February 2007

The impact of background dissolved organic matter (DOM) on the adsorption of a target organic compound, lindane, by GAC was examined. Both capacity and rate of lindane removal decreased in proportion to the DOM concentration. Two modeling approaches employing homogeneous surface diffusion versions of the Michigan Adsorption Design and Applications Model (MADAM‐HSD) adequately simulated and predicted data for fixed‐bed adsorbers. In one approach, adsorption equilibrium and mass transport parameters were evaluated and the data modeled in terms of the target compound only, using a single‐solute modeling scheme.

The second methodology treated the background DOM as an independent component and utilized a two‐solute version of MADAM‐HSD to describe and/or predict adsorber breakthrough profiles for both lindane and DOM. The short bed adsorber (SBA) technique was verified as a useful tool for determination of the mass transport parameters associated with the systems studied.
Consumption of pond water through partial liming: Recent experience
Authors: Weston Charles Wittmann
Published: February 2007

Contaminated, acidic cooling and gypsum pond waters associated with wet‐process phosphoric acid production can be treated using a partial liming process. The treatment largely removes the fluoride component, giving a treated water which is suitable for use in the phosphate rock wet grinding circuit; a majority of the phosphate component of the pond water is thereby directly recovered.

Although the acidity of the contaminated water is only partially neutralized during treatment, phosphate rock added to the grinding mill contains sufficient carbonate to give a ground rock slurry of low corrosivity. This process has been used successfully during the last four years at Agrico Chemical Company's Faustina Plant to manage occasional water balance problems resulting from high rainfall.
Meeting the water quality criteria for the metal finishing industries
Authors: Veale Francis J. , Elliott Michael J.
Published: February 2007

In July of 1977, Texas Instruments, located in Attleboro, Massachusetts was issued a five‐year National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge a treated industrial waste effluent in compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA). The company had just completed the installation of a modern waste treatment facility employing metal hydroxide precipitation. At the time, this system was considered the Best Available Technology (BAT), and it was based on such process chemistry criteria that the original permit limits were generated.

In 1982, however, when Texas Instruments submitted a renewal application for its NPDES discharge permit, water quality criteria were used in place of BAT to determine the permit limits. Since it had been shown that BAT was insufficient to achieve water qualities in receiving streams equal to their designated uses, the EPA, in compliance with Section 301 (b)(1)(c) of the CWA, began imposing much more stringent limits to attain the necessary water quality standards. Furthermore, the Massachusetts Water Quality Standards, 314 CMR 4.00, required that all waters must be free of toxic substances in amounts or combinations that would impair the most sensitive water uses. Therefore, the draft NPDES permit issued to Texas Instruments in January of 1984 reflected the stringent water quality guidelines. Due to the limited dilution water available in the company's receiving stream, the proposed limits were impossible to meet with any existing technology.

Texas Instruments then faced a difficult decision on whether to attempt to relieve the tight proposed limits through aquatic toxicity testing, or whether to re‐direct the effluent to another receiving stream (i.e. Publically Owned Treatment Works (POTW)), or in the worst case, whether to shut‐down its large Attleboro based manufacturing facility employing over 5000 people and relocate to another area. In the final analysis and after much deliberation, TI chose to maintain its Attleboro facility and enter into a long and relatively unexplored avenue of aquatic toxicity testing to raise its permit limits to achievable levels. It was realized early on, that, even if TI succeeded in raising the limits, the existing waste treatment facility would probably require more modifications.

As one of the first industries in the New England region to negotiate an NPDES permit based on the new water quality criteria, this article explores the protocol and method by which a new permit was established at Texas Instruments.
Methods for removal of copper and iron from boiler chemical cleaning wastes
Authors: Holcombe Larry J. , Behrens Greg P. , Micheletti Wayne C.
Published: February 2007

This paper presents the results of field and laboratory studies conducted to evaluate treatment methods for reducing the concentrations of dissolved copper and iron in several spent boiler cleaning solutions. These waste solutions are generated during the cleaning of steam tubes in utility boilers. Cleaning may be accomplished using one of several solutions, including: inhibited hydrochloric acid, ammonium bromate, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), citrate, and hydroxyacetic‐formic acid. The raw wastes were treated by conventional lime and caustic precipitation and by co‐ponding with coal fly ash. Analytical results were compared with Federal effluent discharge guidelines (NPDES) for copper and iron.
Field evaluation of arsenic and selenium removal by iron coprecipitation
Authors: Merrill Douglas T. , Manzione Mark A. , Parker Denny S. , Petersen Jeffrey J. , Chow Winston , Hobbs Alexander O.
Published: February 2007

The priority trace elements arsenic and selenium were removed from ash pond effluent by iron coprecipitation in a field study at the Carolina Power and Light Company's Roxboro Station. The study's broad objectives were to verify previously‐derived laboratory results, confirm the technology's technical and economic feasibility, and develop information that could be used to make preliminary designs and cost estimates for full‐scale treatment plants.

The technology was tested at pilot scale in a continuous‐flow system under field conditions. A chemical coagulation system was used of the kind typically employed for municipal and industrial water treatment. Arsenic was strongly removed (90 percent and above) with moderate iron dosages (14 mg/L to 28 mg/L Fe). Selenium removals were lower (56 to 80 percent) under comparable chemical conditions. Arsenic and selenium removals were strongly affected by solution pH.

Testing indicated that process sludges can be gravity thickened, then dewatered with filter presses to 25 to 35 percent solids. Dewatered pilot sludges were determined to be not hazardous, as defined by Extraction Procedure (EP) toxicity test criteria.

Total process costs for the Roxboro site are estimated to be 9.3 cents/m3 ($353 per million gallons). This cost is for a facility that processes an average flow of 1.1 m3/sec (26 mgd) and uses an iron dose of 14 mg/L, as Fe. The facility is sized to process a peak flow of 1.5 m3/sec (35 mgd).
Innovative uses from carbon adsorption of heavy metals from plating wastewaters: I. Activated carbon polishing treatment
Authors: Ku Young , Peters Robert W.
Published: February 2007

Activated carbon treatment as a polishing step following either metal hydroxide or metal sulfide precipitation has been shown to be effective for removal of residual zinc, cadmium, and excess sulfide from plating wastewaters. When hydroxide precipitation is employed, the use of activated carbon allows significantly lower effuent metal concentrations to be achieved; the residual zinc and cadmium concentrations were reduced in excess of 70% with the use of activated carbon following hydroxide precipitation. In the absence of chelating agents and other interferences, removal of zinc exceeded 70% and sulfide removal exceeded 50% over the pH range of 7 to 10 by employing the activated carbon polishing step. With 100 mg/l of ammonia or cyanide (acting as interferences) present, zinc removal following sulfide precipitation was typically reduced 50%. For waters high in sulfides, removals exceeded 74%. The activated carbon polishing step shows great promise as a treatment alternative to minimize the potential for H2S gas evolution and the concern for sulfide toxicity associated with sulfide precipitation of heavy metals.
Innovative uses from carbon adsorption of heavy metals from plating wastewaters: II. Seeding the metal hydroxide/metal sulfide reactor with activated carbon
Authors: Peters Robert W. , Ku Young
Published: February 2007

An innovative technology has been explored which involves seeding the metal hydroxide/metal sulfide precipitation reactor with activated carbon as a means of promoting the precipitation step. Based on the results of this preliminary study for the Zn(OH)2 system, significant metal removal enhancement can be achieved with this process. For long settling times (t ⩾ 30 minutes), little enhancement is observed over the case with no seeding. For short settling times, however, the residual metal concentration is approximately an order of magnitude lower than the same case without the activated carbon seeding. For the case of seeding the reactor with Darco S51 activated carbon, operation at pH ˜ 10.5 is preferable to operation at pH ˜ 8.1 due to much lower residual metal concentrations being achieved. For operation at pH ˜ 10.5, seeding with Darco HD3000 proved superior to seeding with Darco S51 activated carbon; the residual concentrations at the short detention time were about one‐half the concentrations achieved with Darco S51 activated carbon. For Darco HD3000, little improvement in heavy metal removal occurred for activated carbon dosages exceeding 50 mg/l.
Membrane utilization in hazardous metal removal from wastewater in the electronic industry
Authors: Sternberg S.
Published: February 2007

Membrane treatment of industrial wastewaters is limited to a few applications where the membrane properties and environmental resistance match the particular application. In most cases, however, the membrane in and by itself does not possess all the requirements for the application, such as chemical physical resistance and inherent capability to remove all the waste components. The process described here overcomes these limitations by creating an inert membrane whose task is dewatering only, and relying on chemical and physical pretreatment to render the soluble waste constituents insoluble particles which are then removed by the membrane.
Adsorption of inorganic arsenic and organoarsenicals on hydrous oxides
Authors: Ghosh Mriganka M. , Yuan Jill R.
Published: February 2007

Adsorption of aqueous arsenic on activated alumina was investigated. pH greatly affects the surface chemical interactions of all species of arsenic, inorganic or organic, with hydrous alumina. Arsenate adsorbs well at pHs less than the pHzpc of alumina, with maximum adsorption occurring at pH 5. Maximum adsorption of arsenite occurs at pH 8. The adsorption behavior of monomethyl arsonate (MMA) is similar to that of arsenate. Adsorption of arsenic is enhanced by the presence of cations. Experiments with fixed alumina beds with an empty bed contact time (EBCT) of only five minutes or less indicate that arsenic concentrations typical of North American waters can be removed effectively for long periods of time without regeneration. Spent alumina beds can be successfully regenerated using 0.5% NaOH followed by dilute acid rinse.
Feasibility of intermittent biological treatment for hazardous wastes
Authors: Weber A. Scott , Matsumoto Mark R.
Published: February 2007

During an investigation and evaluation of a former hazardous waste facility, groundwater underlying the site was found to be highly contaminated by a variety of hazardous organic substances. An intermittently biological treatment process coupled with activated carbon adsorption was identified as a promising on‐site alternative. Because the operating constraints and degree of treatment achieved by biological processes subjected to very infrequent operation were unknown, a pilot study was initiated to assess the technical feasibility of the proposed process. Based on the findings of the experimental study, intermittent biological treatment can achieve significant removal of waste pollutants. The rate of COD removal was found to be adversely affected by decreases in operation frequency and decreased operating temperatures. However, all biodegradable COD was removed within a react period of 24 hrs., despite lag periods as long as three weeks between operation. Addition of powdered activated carbon was tested under one operating scenario and is hypothesized to be advantageous in reducing aeration times for conditions of low temperature and extended lag periods.
Operating and testing a combined SO2 and NOX removal facility
Authors: Frank Norman W. , Miller Gray A. , Reed David A.
Published: February 2007

Test results and operational procedures of a 32,000 Nm/hr combined SO2 and NOX removal facility utilizing electron beam technology and dry ammonia injection are discussed in detail, showing how the facility can be operated to give maximum removal efficiencies and optimum utility requirements. To date, the overall plant design efficiencies of 90% SO2 and NOX removal efficiency have been achieved. A brief history of the development of the process along with a description of the plant is presented. Performance of the plant is compared to previous similar pilot plants operated in Japan and the influences of process parameters on the plant operation and removal efficiencies are discussed. Use of an alternative reagent and its effect on removal efficiencies and plant operation is presented followed by results of analysis of the fertilizer by‐product yielded by the process.
Fluid flow and gas absorption in an ejector venturi scrubber
Authors: Atay Iclal , Lewandowski Gordon , Trattner Richard
Published: February 2007

Empirical models were developed to describe the fluid flow characteristics and gas absorption efficiency of an ejector venturi scrubber. The empirical constants were determined experimentally using stop action photographs of the spray, static pressure measurements, and sulfur dioxide absorption efficiencies.

Experiments were conducted on a commercial scrubber, 24 inches (61 cm) high, with a 4 inch (10 cm) diameter gas inlet and outlet. Liquid flow rates varied from 3 to 8 gallons/min (.0114 to .0303 m3/min) in the atomizing range of the scrubber, and gas flows from 24 to 64 cubic feet/min (.680 to 1.81 m3/min). The liquid‐to‐gas ratio was constant at .0167.

Droplet sizes ranged from 34 to 563 microns, with a volume mean diameter of 155 microns, at a liquid rate of 6 gpm (.0227 m3/min).

The sulfur dioxide mass transfer coefficient varied from 25 to 800 lb‐mole/hr‐ft3(400 to 12,800 kg‐mole/hr‐m3).
A comparison of the UCB sulfur recovery process with conventional sulfur recovery technology for treating recycle gas from a crude oil residuum hydrotreater
Authors: Lynn Scot , Neumann Dan W. , Sciamanna Steven F. , Vorhis Frederick H.
Published: February 2007

In this paper the University of California, Berkeley, Sulfur Recovery Process (UCBSRP) is compared to conventional technology for the case of the removal of H2S from the recycle gas of a high‐pressure petroleum residuum hydrotreater. The conventional technology selected for this comparison consists of an absorber/stripper operation using diethanol amine as the absorbent, a Claus sulfur plant, and a SCOTT tail‐gas treating unit. Flowsheets, stream flows and conditions, and the total purchased cost of the major items of equipment are presented for both processes. From this comparison it is estimated that the direct fixed capital (DFC) for the UCBSRP would be about 61% of that for the conventional technology. The utility costs for this application of the UCBSRP are estimated to be less than the credit for the high‐pressure steam produced whereas the utility costs for the conventional process are substantially more.