bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorbent and ammonia injection at economizer temperatures upstream of a economizer temperatures upstream of a high—temperature baghouse
Authors: Chu Paul , Downs Bill , Holmes Bob
Published: February 2007

The current technology of choice—world–wide—for post–combustion NOx control is selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with ammonia. The application of SCR to coal–fired units has proven to be somewhat more difficult than its application to natural gas and oil–fired units due to SO2 poisoning of the catalyst, catalytic oxidation of SO2 to SO3, and erosion and fouling of the catalyst by fly ash [1]. These problems could be potentially diminished if SO2 and particulate removal systems were placed upstream of the SCR reactor. However, this is not easily accomplished since SCR systems operate best in the temperature range of 600°F–800°F (315°C–425°C). Several SCR installations in Europe employ conventional flue gas desulfurization (FGD) and particulate control upstream of flue gas reheat and SCR. However, the flue gas reheat typically imposes a 1%–2% energy penalty [2]. Several recent technical developments now offer a technology whereby these limitations of SCR for coal applications can be alleviated.

These technical developments are in the areas of high temperature filtration, improved SCR catalysts, and advances in sorbent injection. These advances have been incorporated into a patented process known as the SOxNOxRox Box™ (SNRB) process. Briefly, this process consists of a “hot” baghouse employing woven ceramic fabric bags, a zeolite SCR catalyst incorporated into the baghouse, and the injection of either calcium–or sodium–based sorbent upstream of the baghouse (see Figure 1).

This paper deals with the status and development of the SNRB process, including some results from recently completed pilot–plant tests performed under a contract with the Ohio Coal Development Office (OCDO).
Cleanup of contaminated soils by pyrolysis in an indirectly heated rotary kiln
Authors: Schneider Dietmar , Beckstrom Blake D.
Published: February 2007

The destruction of hazardous waste and cleanup of contaminated soils by pyrolysis in an indirectly heated rotary kiln system, followed by combustion of the volatiles in a secondary combustion chamber, has been tested in a pilot plant and demonstrated in an industrial scale plant. Deutsche Babcock Anlagen AG conducted comprehensive tests in a pilot plant with throughput rates of 0.5 to 1 ton/hour. Following these tests, Deutsche Babcock designed and constructed the industrial scale demonstration plant with a throughput rate of 7 tons/hour for Bergbau AG Westfalen near Dortmund, West Germany.
Performance of selected in situ soil decontamination technologies: An Air Force perspective
Authors: Downey Douglas C. , Elliott Michael G.
Published: February 2007

Every year, the U.S. Air Force stores and transfers three billion gallons of JP‐4 jet fuel. Unfortunately, not every gallon of fuel has been consumed in flight. Fuel spills account for nearly half of the chemically contaminated sites on Air Force installations and that percentage is growing as underground storage systems are more closely inspected. The Air Force Engineering and Services Laboratory is responsible for developing and testing new and more cost effective technologies capable of cleaning up fuel spills in a variety of soil and groundwater conditions. Special emphasis has been placed on soil decontamination because our sampling data has confirmed that the majority of spilled fuel is adsorbed or occluded in the soil above the water table.
In situ biodegradation of TCE contaminated groundwater
Authors: Nelson Michael J. , Kinsella John V. , Montoya Terry
Published: February 2007

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the most widely used chlorinated solvents; it is also a common groundwater contaminant. TCE–contaminated groundwater is presently treated by transferring the solvent either to a solid (carbon adsorption) or to the atmosphere (air stripping). Biological treatment of the contaminated water is an alternative that causes complete destruction of the solvent. When performed within the aquifer it is termed in situ biotreatment. A specific strain of bacteria (G4) has been isolated that degrades TCE enzymatically. The process has been extensively tested in the laboratory and confirmed in a field pilot test. The pilot test involved the injection of a clean, oxygenated water stream directly into the TCE plume. Nutrients and G4 were added to the injection stream and TCE concentrations were measured up–and downgradient of the injection well.

A decline in TCE levels was observed eight hours after injection and continued for the following ten days. TCE concentrations were reduced from a high of 3,000 ppb to a mean value of 78 ppb during a 20 day period.
Bioturbation: A facilitator of contaminant transport in bed sediment
Authors: Bosworth Weldon S. , Thibodeaux Louis J.
Published: February 2007

The biological activity of benthic organisms (=bioturbation) in bed sediments can be significantly more important than physicochemical processes in the movement of sediment particles and interstitial constituents within the sediment column and to the overlying water. Bioturbation‐driven transport processes may be several orders of magnitude more rapid than molecular‐driven processes for some constituents, i.e., particle reactive compounds like PCB, when considered on a chemical pore water concentration gradient basis. Benthic organisms affect particle redistribution and solute transport by burrowing, ingestion/excretion, tube‐building and biodeposition. In most benthic environments, whether freshwater, estuarine or marine, numbers of organisms and rates of sediment turnover are highest in the oxygenated zone above the redox boundary, generally the top 2–5 cm of the sediment column. However, a variety of organisms penetrate deeper into the sediment and may also be important in transport of both dissolved and particle reactive constituents. When considering capping of contaminated sediment in place or capping of contaminated dredge spoils, the effects of bioturbation on the mobility of the contaminants must first be considered before establishing engineering design criteria. Capping of contaminated bed sediments or dredge spoils can elevate the bioturbated zone above the contaminated bed sediment and thus potentially reduce the rate of contaminant transport by several orders of magnitude.
Homogeneously catalyzed oxidation for the destruction of aqueous organic wastes
Authors: Leavitt David D. , Horbath Joe S. , Abraham Martin A.
Published: February 2007

Several organic species, specifically atrazine, 2,4‐dichlorophenozyacetic acid, and biphenyl, were converted to CO2 and other non‐harmful gases through oxidation catalyzed by inorganic acid. Nearly complete conversion was obtained through homogeneous liquid‐phase oxidation with ammonium nitrate. The kinetics of reaction have been investigated and indicate parallel oxidation and thermal degradation of the oxidant. This results in a maximum conversion at an intermediate temperature. Increasing oxidant concentration accelerates the rate of conversion and shifts the location of the optimum temperature. Reaction at varying acid concentration revealed that conversion increased with an approximately linear relationship as the pH of the solution was increased. Conversion was increased to greater than 99% through the addition of small amounts of transition metal salts demonstrating the suitability of a treatment process based on this technology for wastestreams containing small quantities of heavy metals.
Adsorption of benzene from aqueous solutions by bentonite treated with quaternary amines
Authors: Cadena Fernando , Garcia Ramiro , Peters Robert W.
Published: February 2007

The adsorptive properties of Wyoming bentonite, which has been tailored using various tetraalkylammonium (TAA+) ions, have been investigated for the selective removal of hazardous organic pollutants found in waters and soils contaminated by petrochemical spills. The effectiveness of the tailoring agents is evaluated by comparing the adsorption isotherms of benzene on both treated and untreated soils. Five TAA+‐type compounds are investigated: ammonium (NH4+), tetramethylammonium (TMA+), tetraethylammonium (TEA+), tetrapropylammonium (TPA+), and tetrabutylammonium (TEA+). The optimum dose characteristics are determined for each tailoring cation. The adsorption capacity of the treated clay decreases for doses that exceed the optimum dose because of the increase in organic content in solution, which induces a reduction in the partition coefficient between organically coated solid and the liquid phase. Despite the similarity in nature of the TAA+ cations used in this study, significant differences in the adsorption capacities are obtained for the various compounds.
Thermal treatment for the removal of PCBs and other organics from soil
Authors: Fox Robert D. , Alperin Edward S. , Huls Hubert H.
Published: February 2007

Thermal separation is an emerging technology for the treatment of contaminated soils and solids. The process removes organic contaminants by indirectly heating the soils and olids to temeratures sufficient to vaporize the harazdous components. The organic vapors in the desorber off‐gas are treated either by oxidation in a RCRA‐standard secondary combustion chamber or by condensation and conventional treatment of the small amount of the resultant condensate.

This process had its first successful pilot demonstrations in treating Herbicide Orange contaminated soils at the Naval Construction Battalion Center and at Johnston Island, where dioxin contamination was reduced to less than 1 ppb.

This paper summarizes the results of a series of pilot tests, conducted under a TSCA R&D permit, on 3 soils contaminated with PCBs at concentrations ranging from 250 ppm to 4%. To demonstrate the process on an engineering scale, IT made 13 runs in the pilot thermal separator at rates ranging from 18 to 32 kg/hr. Reported are results on the effect of temperature and residence time on the quality of treated soil. The report also summarizes pilot results on a mixed waste soil and soils contaminated with PAHs.
Design and testing of a moving bed VOC adsorption system
Authors: Larsen Eric S. , Pilat Michael J.
Published: February 2007

A 0.28‐2.8 m3/min (10‐100 cfm) moving bed carbon adsorption pilot plant has been developed for testing of low (10–200 ppm) concentration VOC emissions. The pilot plant uses a cross‐flow arrangement with the air flowing horizontally through the adsorption bed while the carbon adsorbent particles flow vertically downward. At the bottom of the system, the “used” activated carbon is regenerated using a direct contact heat exchanger. The regenerated carbon is then transported to the top of the moving bed via a screw feeder and pneumatic transport tube. A small gas flow containing the VOCs removed from the used adsorbent is emitted continuously from the adsorbent regenerator. When a carbon flow rate of 2.3 kg/hr (5 lbs/hr), a face velocity of 0.32 m/sec (63 ft/ min), and an emissions stream containing 30 ppm ethanol were used, the observed collection efficiency was approximately 90%. The ability to regenerate the carbon was tested by first operating the system in a static mode, that is air being drawn into the system while the adsorption bed was not moving. This was continued until approximately 70% of the inlet gas VOCs passed through the system without being adsorbed. The carbon flow was then started and the VOC concentration in the off gases of the absorbent regenerator was measured as the partially saturated carbon passed through the system. The VOC concentration in the gases emitted from the adsorbent regenerator was about a factor of ten higher than the VOC concentration in the air entering the adsorption bed.
Legal incentives for minimizing waste
Authors: Clearwater Scott W. , Scanlon Joanne M.
Published: February 2007

Waste minimization, or pollution prevention, has become an integral component of federal and state environmental regulation. Minimizing waste offers many economic and public relations benefits. In addition, waste minimization efforts can also dramatically reduce potential criminal requirements. This paper addresses the legal incentives for minimizing waste under current and proposed environmental laws and regulations.
Nucleation and crystal growth of calcium sulfite hemihydrate
Authors: Gleason Cynthia L. , Rochelle Gary T.
Published: February 2007

In slurry scrubbing processes for flue gas desulfurization the precipitation rate of calcium sulfite affects scrubber solution composition, SO2 absorption, sulfite oxidation, and limestone utilization. Sludge quality and disposal costs are also a function of precipitation kinetics. The nucleation and crystal growth rates of calcium sulfite hemihydrate were measured in a continuous flow crystallizer at conditions that produced agglomerate crystals. At 28 and 55°C, the nucleation rate, B°, varied from 0.25 to 23 × 108 #/m3‐sec and was given at pH 5.5 by the correlation:

The suspension density, MT, was varied from 7 to 90 kg/m3. The linear growth rate, G (m/sec), varied from 0.5 to 9 × 10−9 m/s as residence time was varied from 42 to 360 minutes. The nucleation rate constant had a maximum near pH 5.5 and was about 50% lower at pH 4.2 and pH 6.5. Gypsum saturation in solution caused both the nucleation and growth rates to decrease.
Modeling, analysis, and simulation of bioremediation of soil aggregates
Authors: Dhawan S. , Fan L. T. , Erickson L. E. , Tuitemwong P.
Published: February 2007

The role of aggregates and their characteristics on bioremediation in soil has received very little attention. In this investigation, the contaminated aggregates bioremediation (CAB) model has been developed and simulated to analyze the bioremediation of soil and water in the aggregates. The model equations consist of a system of three non‐linear partial differential equations. Dimensional analysis of the equations has been performed. Sensitivity analysis conducted by numerically solving them has demonstrated the effects of aggregate radius, partition coefficient, and initial contaminant concentration on the time and mechanism of remediation. The rates of diffusion of substrate and oxygen, and the biodegradation‐rate have been found to be the controlling mechanisms for remediation in the aggregates.
Implications of the Clean Air Act acid rain title on industrial boilers
Authors: Maibodi Mehdi
Published: February 2007

This paper discusses the impacts of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments related to acid rain controls, as they apply to industrial boilers. Emphasis is placed on explaining the Title IV provisions of the Amendments that permit “nonutility” sources to participate in the SO2 allowance system. The allowance system, as it pertains to industrial boiler operators, is described, and the opportunities for operators to trade and/or sell SO2 emission credits is discussed.

The paper also reviews flue gas desulfurization system technologies available for industrial boiler operators who may choose to participate in the system. Furnace sorbent injection, advanced silicate process, lime spray drying, dry sorbent injection, and limestone scrubbing are described, including statements of their SO2 removing capability, commercial status, and costs. Capital costs, levelized costs and cost‐effectiveness are presented for these technologies.
Control of benzene waste NESHAP emissions from a petroleum refinery
Authors: Truelove Ronald D.
Published: February 2007

This paper discusses the control of benzene emissions from a petroleum refinery as regulated by the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Subpart FF—National Standard for Benzene Waste Operations (40 CFR Part 61.340). This regulation is complex and confusing, but it provides flexibility to achieve compliance through various strategies to control benzene emissions.

The first step to achieve compliane with the benzene waste NESHAP is understanding the regulation itself. Therefore, this paper summarizes the regulation to provide the reader with sufficient background to understand why specific controls are required for specific processes. The flexibility provided by the regulation to achieve compliance is not always readily apparent. This paper summarizes some of these subtleties. The author's involvement with an industry trade association in meetings with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the development of the regulation allows some of EPA's expressions of their intent and internal interpretation to also be contained in the summary. The second step to achieve compliance with the benzene waste NESHAP is to actually design and operate a cost effective solution for a specific set of existing conditions within a refinery. This paper provides a case study of the equipment necessary to achieve compliance with the substantive requirements of the regulation at a large, integrated refinery. The retrofit requirements are very specific to the circumstances of this facility. Therefore, they will not be a universal, cost effective means of compliance for other refineries.
Micronutrient addition and its impact on WWTP performance
Authors: Ballard Ronald W. , Giltner Joan A. , Cable James K. , Langford Richard D.
Published: February 2007

The Hoechst Celanese facility in Narrows, Virginia, treats process wastewater in an aerobic biological wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Historically, the WWTP has experienced high effluent TSS levels. When the facility's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is modified, more stringent effluent TSS limits will be incorporated based on the OCPSF effluent guidelines. Without significantly improved effluent quality, effluent filtration will be required. At the historical effluent TSS levels experienced by the WWTP, conventional filters will not provide the reliability needed for permit compliance. In 1990, influent sampling indicated that the poor effluent quality could be the result of nutrient limitations. Nitrogen was identified as a limiting macronutrient, but effluent quality did not substantially improve when only nitrogen additions were increased. After a program was implemented to add micronutrients concurrently, effluent quality significantly improved. It was concluded that micro‐ and macro‐nutrient additions coupled with effluent filtration will be required to meet the future OCPSF TSS limits.
Integration of RCRA corrective action with Clean Water Act compliance
Authors: Cable James K. , Starlin Leigh A. , Giltner Joan A. , Futch Robin S. , Ballard Ronald W.
Published: February 2007

A synthetic fibers manufacturing facility is implementing an integrated phased program to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to comply with both the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The existing WWTP consists of an influent settling basin, two equalization basins, two aeration basins with low‐ and high‐speed aerators, three secondary clarifiers, post‐aeration, and belt filter press dewatering with on‐site landfilling. The existing WWTP will be replaced with a tank‐based system that will include equalization, biological treatment, clarification, effluent filtration, and effluent diffusion. RCRA regulatory compliance incorporated the Corrective Action Program, the Toxicity Characterstic Rule, the Land Disposal Restrictions, and closure/postclosure requirements. Clean Water Act compliance incorporated the Organic Chemicals, Plastics, and Synthetic Fibers (OCPSF) effluent guidelines, effluent toxicity, and general water quality requirements. Logistically, project implementation involved fast‐track design and construction, close regulatory interface, and maintenance of production process continuity.
Low temperature thermal treatment for petroleum refinery waste sludges
Authors: Ayen Richard J. , Swanstrom Carl P.
Published: February 2007

Treatment requirements for waste sludges generated by petroleum refinery operations and designated as waste codes K048, K049, K050, K051 and K052 under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) became effective in November, 1990 under the ‘Landban’ regulations. An experimental program evaluated low temperature thermal treatment of filter cakes produced from these sludges using laboratory and pilot‐scale equipment. One set of experiments on waste samples from two different refineries demonstrated the effective removal of organics of concern from the sludges to meet the RCRA Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BDAT) treatment standards. Cyanides were also within the acceptable limit. Combined with stabilization of heavy metals in the treatment residues, low temperature thermal treatment therefore provides an effective and efficient means of treating refinery sludges, with most hydrocarbons recovered and recycled to the refinery. A milder thermal treatment was used to remove the bulk of the water from a previously filtered waste sludge, providing effective waste minimization through a 40% decrease in the mass of sludge to be disposed. The heating value of the sludge was increased simultaneously by one‐third, thereby producing a residue of greater value in an alternative fuels program. A process based on this approach was successfully designed and commercialized.
Aerobic biological activated carbon (BAC) treatment of a phenolic wastewater
Authors: Lin Wei , Weber A. Scott
Published: February 2007

Organic removal rates achieved in the aerobic BAC process were comparable to rates typically reported for traditional aerobic fixed‐film systems. When operated at organic loading rates lower than 0.03 g COD/g GAC‐d and air as the oxygen source, greater than 90 percent COD removal and 99 percent phenol removal was achieved. At higher organic loading rates, oxygen limitations resulted in less than optimal performance. Observed oxygen limitations were mitigated by the use of pure oxygen. Long‐term stability of operation of the BAC process was excellent with one aerobic BAC column operated under the same conditions in excess of 260 days. During that time, consistent column performance was achieved without the need to provide supplemental carbon or carbon regeneration. System biomass yields ranged from 0.05 to 0.30 g VSS/g COD removed and increased with effluent COD concentration.
Remediation of dichloromethane (DCM) ‐contaminated ground water
Authors: Flathman Paul E. , Jerger Douglas E. , Woodhull Patrick M.
Published: February 2007

This case history describes the physical and biological treatment of dichloromethane (DCM)‐contaminated ground water following the rupture of an underground pipeline which contaminated an estimated 11,000 m3 (14,000 yd3) of soil and ground water in the early fall of 1983. Air stripping DCM from recovered ground water was initiated and provided an estimated 97% reduction in the ground water concentration of DCM. When it became evident that physical treatment alone would no longer be effective in removing residual DCM from the ground water environment, the practice of air stripping DCM from recovered ground water was terminated. Biological treatment was initiated and provided greater than a 500,000‐fold reduction in the ground water concentration of DCM. Biological treatment had far exceeded the ability of physical treatment alone to remediate a ground water environment contaminated with a biodegradable contaminant.
Pneumatic pumping test for soil vacuum extraction
Authors: Cho Jong Soo , Digiulio Dominic C.
Published: February 2007

In‐situ pneumatic pumping tests were performed to estimate the pneumatic permeability at a site containing soils contaminated with aviation gasoline. Determination of pneumatic permeability was necessary to evaluate soil‐air discharge or pore volume exchange rates. Pressure propagation was measured in clustered vapor probes during the application of vacuum and positive pressure. An analytical solution for soil‐air pressure distribution with a non‐linear data fitting algorithm was adopted to obtain the pneumatic permeability from soil‐air pressure distribution. Pneumatic pumping tests indicated substantially higher air discharge rates in the immediate vicinity of wells. The air discharge rate dissipated rapidly as distance from the wells increased. Application of increased vacuum or injection pressure resulted in substantially increased air flow in the immediate vicinity with small changes at a distance. This fact indicates that effective design should be based on air flow fields near wells, and the site specific design criteria should be determined with carefully conducted tests.
Extraction and recovery of lead species from soil
Authors: Krishnamurthy S.
Published: February 2007

The remediation of lead contaminated soil at Superfund sites and urban soil is a serious concern, given the grave effects of lead exposure and the prevasive nature of the threat. The lead species of interest are elemental lead, lead sulfate, basic carbonate of lead and lead dioxide. This paper describes work done to solubilize these species and recover the contaminants as salable lead sulfate. Proof of concept was done using the pure chemicals. After this, bench scale experiments were done using a soil that was dosed with varying amounts of the contaminants (total lead from 1,000 to 10,000 ppm) and better than 80% of the contaminants was recovered as lead sulfate. The treated soil passed the TCLP test with 3.0 ppm lead, showing that it could be be redeposited on site. A pilot‐plant scale‐up is being explored.
Bioremediation: An effective remedial alternative for petroleum hydrocarbon‐contaminated soil
Authors: Autry Andrew R. , Ellis Gary M.
Published: February 2007

Bioremediation technologies applied to contaminated soil usually mitigate environmental rate‐limiting factors so that biodegradation rates are maximized for any given compound. A newer approach to soil bioremediation mitigates these environmental rate‐limiting factors simultaneously, initially allowing biodegradation to proceed at a maximal rate without the need for additional action. This technology involves intensive mixing of contaminated soil in a ribbon blender, introduction of a protein‐based, surfactant‐containing nutrient additive to the soil while in the mixer, physical entrainment of oxygen‐containing air into the soil, discharge of the mixed soil from the mixer, and placement of the mixed soil in curing piles, for curing, during which time biodegradation can occur. No additional treatment actions (e.g., tillage, fertilizer or water applications) are typically required. The remediation, using this approach, of a former distribution facility which possessed soil contaminated with gasoline, is summarized.
In situ treatment of soil for the extraction of organic contaminants
Authors: O'Neill M. W. , Symons J. M. , Lazaridou M. E. , Park J. B.
Published: February 2007

The initial progress of an ongoing laboratory investigation is described in which phenol and aniline were mixed into a slightly organic, loamy soil and various aqueous solutions used to attempt to extract these organic contaminants. Extraction compounds consisted of deionized water, hydrogen peroxide at varying concentration and sodium hydroxide at varying pH. Two methods were used to affect desorption. The first method, which is simple and quick, has been termed the “successive reverse isotherm” (SRI) method, and the second method, which is very labor intensive and time‐consuming, but which represents better the conditions that exist in an in situ extraction operation, was the permeation method. The SRI method indicated that an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide in concentration of 200 to 500 mg/L extracted about 45% of the phenol, while an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide at a pH of 10 extracted in excess of 70% of the phenol. On the other hand, none of the solutions extracted more than 25% of the aniline. Further tests conducted in permeameters indicated that approximately 80% of phenol was recovered by permeation with either hydrogen peroxide or sodium hydroxide and that both were measurably more effective than deionized water. Neither the phenol nor any of the decontaminants had any major effect on hydraulic conductivity or physical index properties of the soil. From the results of the tests to date, the SRI test appears to provide a viable method of predicting whether permeameter tests will yield productive results.
The applicability of UV/Oxidation technologies to treat contaminated groundwater
Authors: Topudurti Kirankumar V. , Lewis Norma M. , Hirsh Steven R.
Published: February 2007

This paper presents information useful in evaluating the applicability of UV/oxidation treatment technologies for groundwater contaminated with organics. The information presented includes a description of the technologies, factors affecting the technologies, and results from two pilot‐scale studies of UV/oxidation treatment system applications. The first pilot‐scale study describes the performance of a UV/oxidation system, developed by Ultrox International of Santa Ana, California, in treating groundwater contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). At the optimum operating conditions, the Ultrox system achieved total VOC removals of greater than 90 percent. Most VOCs were removed through chemical oxidation. However, a few VOCs were removed through oxidation and stripping. The treated groundwater met the applicable limits for discharge into a local waterway. No harmful emissions were released to the atmosphere from the Ultrox system, which is equipped with an off‐gas treatment unit. The second pilot‐scale study describes the performance of another UV/oxidation system, developed by Peroxidation Systems, Inc. of Tucson, Arizona, in treating groundwater contaminated with VOCs and chemical‐warfare agent degradation products. At the optimum operating conditions, the system achieved contaminant removal efficiencies of about 96 percent, and the treated water met the federal maximum contaminant levels for drinking water.
Comparison of a steady‐state and dynamic model for predicting priority pollutant removal
Authors: O'Brien Gerald J.
Published: February 2007

A dynamic model successfully predicted the effluent concentrations of both volatile and non‐volatile priority pollutants from a large industrial wastewater treatment plant. A steady‐state model, which was formulated with the identical rate equations and variable influent data, was inadequate for dynamic predictions. The dynamic model is the first developed for predicting the fate of priority pollutants in the PACT® process.
Ceramic membrane treatment of petrochemical wastewater
Authors: Lahiere Richard J. , Goodboy Kenneth P.
Published: February 2007

Ceramic alumina microfiltration membranes were evaluated for treatment of 3 aqueous streams containing heavy metals, oils, and solids at petrochemical manufacturing facilities. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first reported use of ceramic alumina membranes for process water and wastewater treatment in a U.S. petrochemical plant.

In a pilot test at a vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) plant, precipitated heavy metal solids were filtered with the membranes. On another stream at that site, the ceramic membrane pilot system successfully treated emulsions of 1, 2‐dichloroethane (EDC), water, and solids. Membrane filtration of a linear alkyl benzene (LAB) oily wastewater stream produced water with less than 5 ppmw oil and grease, after pretreatment with HCl and ferric chloride.

A preliminary financial analysis shows that the installed system cost for a ceramic membrane unit is comparable to other membrane technologies, while operating costs are anticipated to be lower. Specific process conditions that are particularly amenable to treatment by ceramic membrane microfiltration are also given in the paper.
Development of a new long term multiple‐source plume model: Application on some industrial and residential areas in Kuwait
Authors: Ahmad Naima , Bouhamra Walid
Published: February 2007

A long term plume model, which is based on the Gaussian dispersion equation, has been developed for computing pollutant concentrations from multiple sources of different heights and emission rates. Unlike the conventional multiple‐source models, the summation or integration of the concentrations of all point sources is not needed in the new model. Instead, the properties (height, diameter, location, etc.) and the emission variables (gas velocity, temperature, flow rates, etc.) of the different stacks, or point sources, are represented by a single stack. These properties and emission variables of the “superstack” are obtained by using the concept of the mixing rule of multi‐component systems. Consequently, the problem becomes finding the concentration of a single point source which drastically reduces the computations involved in the conventional multiple‐source models. The new model gave a better prediction of SO2 concentration than the conventional model. The results also showed that there are two different trends in the dispersion of this pollutant.
NOXSO SO2/NOx flue gas treatment process Proof‐of‐Concept test
Authors: Ma W. T. , Haslbeck J. L.
Published: February 2007

The NOXSO process uses a regenerable sorbent that removes SO2 and NOx simultaneously from flue gas. The sorbent is a γ alumina bead impregnated with sodium carbonate. The process was successfully tested at three different scales, equivalent to 0.017, 0.06 and 0.75 MW of flue gas generated from a coal‐fired power plant. The Proof‐of‐Concept (POC) Test is the last test prior to a full‐scale demonstration. A slip stream of flue gas equivalent to a 5 MW coal‐fired power plant was used for the POC test. This paper summarizes the NOXSO POC process and its current test results.
Computer simulation of a flue gas desulfurization moving‐bed reactor
Authors: Young Rachel J. , Yeh James T.
Published: February 2007

This paper describes the methodology of computer simulation of a moving‐bed reactor system utilizing a gravity‐fed solid reactant and a cross‐flow of reacting gas. The objective of this work was to predict the efficiency of a moving‐bed reactor for generic solid‐gas reactions with known reaction rate parameters. Since in a continuous cross‐flow‐moving‐bed reactor the solid reactant at the inlet of the reactor is fresh (or freshly regenerated) and the solid reactant can be almost totally utilized, the break‐through of the reactant gas is much less at the reactor top (solid inlet) than at the bottom. The simulation provides predictions of the reactant gas break‐through concentration profile as well as the bulk reactant gas consumption within the moving‐bed reactor. The reactor performance is modeled by both one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional series of imaginary micro‐reactors. The computer code is listed and a sample calculation is presented for a flue gas desulfurization process utilizing copper oxide impregnated on alumina as a sorbent.
A priori simulation of tetrachloroethene transport through aquifer material using an intraparticle diffusion model
Authors: Young Dirk F. , Ball William P.
Published: February 2007

Recent work has suggested that sorption rate limitations may have important implications on the fate and transport of organic chemicals in the subsurface. In previous batch work, tetrachloroethene (PCE) exhibited diffusion‐limited uptake onto sand‐sized grains of aquifer material with a high internal porosity. In this work, the breakthrough of PCE through packed columns of this same aquifer material was studied, and a transport model incorporating intraparticle diffusion was used to simulate the experimental results. All model parameters were determined by independent measurements, allowing a true prediction of the breakthrough curve. Batch isotherm data were collected over a wide concentration range using both unaltered and pulverized material, with the latter used to shorten the equilibration time. Although consideration of all data suggested significant isotherm nonlinearity, data collected over a concentration range relevant to the column experiments and encompassing two orders of magnitude suggested that a linear approximation of sorption capacity might be adequate for modeling purposes. Model predictions showed excellent agreement with column breakthrough data, supporting the hypothesis of intraparticle pore diffusion as the causative mechanism of slow sorption in this material.
Removal of lead and cadmium from aqueous waste streams using granular activated carbon (GAC) columns
Authors: Reed Brian E. , Arunachalam Selvam , Thomas Bob
Published: February 2007

The use of granular activated carbon (GAC) columns to treat metal‐bearing wastewaters was investigated. Synthetic wastewaters containing Pb and Cd (10 or 50 mg/L), acetic acid (0.001 N) or EDTA (1:0.1 or 1:1 Me:EDTA molar ratios) were studied. For metal‐only and metal‐acetic acid experiments, significant quantities (as high as 325 bed volumes (BV)) of wastewater were treated prior to breakthrough (Ce = 0.03 Co). X/M values were as high as about 30 mg Pb/g carbon. For EDTA experiments, Ce was always >0.03 Co. The amount of metal not removed corresponded to the amount that was complexed by EDTA. Column pH is the critical parameter influencing column performance. The increase in effluent metal concentration corresponded with the decrease in column pH. GAC columns were successfully regenerated using a 1 L (≈ 8 BV) 0.1 N HNO3 rinse followed by a 1 L 0.1 N NaOH rinse. Column performance was not adversely affected by regeneration. When the regeneration step was used on virgin carbon, a dramatic improvement in column performance was observed and was attributed to the increase in carbon surface pH (pH≈11) and the deposition of OH− in the pore liquid. Possible removal mechanism are precipitation on the carbon surface and in the pore liquid, and adsorption.
Effects of high speed jets and internal baffles on the gas residence times in large municipal incinerators
Authors: Nasserzadeh V. , Swithenbank J. , Schofield C. , Scott D. W. , Loader A.
Published: February 2007

The value of knowing the gas residence times in large municipal incinerators and the serious error imposed by the traditional use of gas volume flow rate based average residence time with regard to these incinerators are recognized. There is increasing public awareness and concern over emissions from municipal solid waste incinerators. Modelling studies of particle trajectories using computational fluid dynamics shows the utility of simulation for the determination of residence time distribution in incinerators. These studies indicate that residence time distributions contain valuable information, important to the understanding and evaluation of mixing processes in the incinerator overfire region. A number of design modifications and changes in operational conditions (which have a major influence on the mean gas residence times and overall performance of two large municipal incinerator plants (35 MW and 65 MW) are proposed. Specifically, the effect of high speed jets and different internal baffle configurations have been investigated using mathematical modelling, in an attempt to obtain optimum combustion conditions. This would increase the mean gas residence times, minimize the emission of pollutants and improve the temperature profile throughout the system. The utility of having detailed RTD information for the incinerator overfire region is demonstrated by estimating the residence times using numerical simulation of tracer injection into the 3‐dimensional reacting flow field of two typical municipal incinerator configurations. The modelling results not only underscore the critical role played by jets in achieving desirable states of mixing in the overfire region but also point to the significance of the geometry effects.

This modelling work has yielded important results, all of which clearly could not be experimentally verified at the industrial scale due to practical and cost limitations. Nevertheless, the results guide specific modifications to the design and operation and this new approach will be of considerable use to the incinerator design community.
Cleaning of flue gas from solid waste incinerator plants by wet/semi‐dry process
Authors: Deuster E. V. , Mensing A. , Jiang M. X. , Majdeski H.
Published: February 2007

To meet the high demands on the emission limits required by German environmental regulations, well known wet absorption technology using limestone as reagent has been developed and used for specific application in municipal solid waste incineration. This system integrates two independent absorption sections in a single tower, each operating at a different pH. The process ensures the highest removal rate of harmful gases (HCl, SO2, SO3, HF), particulate, and vaporous fumes of heavy metals from the incineration process. The paper discusses the advantages of the wet process.

An improvement on this work has been the development of a combined technology incorporating the advantages of spray dryer and wet scrubbing. This combined technology includes a spray dryer, followed by a suitable particulate collection device, and then by the wet scrubbing stage. The purge stream from the wet scrubbing tower is returned as feed to the spray dryer. The by‐product from the combination process is a completely dry powder. As a result, the need for waste water treatment for the wet scrubber purge stream is eliminated. In addition, the combination system allows low cost limestone to be used as a sorbent while providing an easy to handle, free flowing solid by‐product.

This paper describes the details of the system process chemistry, criteria of the gas/liquid mass transfer, and presents the results obtained from pilot plants and commercial plants using these alternative processes.
Pollution prevention strategies for the minimizing of industrial wastes in the VCM‐PVC industry
Authors: Randall Paul M.
Published: February 2007

In many U.S. companies, pollution prevention strategies coincide with economic interests. Typically a company strives to be the lowest‐cost producer, to be competitive, and to reduce wastes. In this paper, the author reviews pollution prevention strategies in the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)—polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry, the current process technology and the pollution prevention practices to minimize all types of waste. This paper includes a review of the balanced oxychlorination process, the high temperature chlorination process, new EDC cracking techniques, modified EDC reactor designs, new catalysts, new separation technologies, and other alternative low‐waste process pathways and modifications.
Compliance with NPDES storm water discharge permit requirements
Authors: Diller Jonathan M.
Published: February 2007

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has established the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) as the primary means of regulating the discharge of industrial storm water runoff under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The SWPPPs are, or will be, a requirement of the facility's NPDES (or state equivalent) permit.

Discharge monitoring is currently reserved for only select regulated facilities. These facilities include those subject to EPCRA (SARA) Title III Section 313, land disposal sites and those with other specific categories of industrial activity identified in the regulations. However the permitting authority can, at its discretion, require discharge monitoring for any regulated facility.

This paper reviews the requirements for developing and implementing the SWPPPs. Experience obtained from developing the SWPPPs for a wide range of facilities is included. These sites have included commercial and industrial construction sites, regional landfills, small light industrial facilities, and a major industrial complex covering several hundred acres of impervious industrial area.

Special focus is given to methods for implementing the SWPPP that can improve the plan's effectiveness in meeting the facility's environmental policy objectives. A brief review of some problems and pitfalls to avoid in compliance monitoring is also included.
Recovery of carboxylic acids from aqueous streams
Authors: Gentry Joseph C. , Solazzo Anthony J.
Published: February 2007

New technology is available to remove and recover carboxylic acids from aqueous streams using a process that requires as little as one‐third of the operating costs of systems in use today.
SCR catalyst‐coated fabric filters for simultaneous NOx and high‐temperature particulate control
Authors: Ness Sumitra R. , Dunham Grant E. , Weber Greg F. , Ludlow Douglas K.
Published: February 2007

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) participated in a project with Owens‐Corning Fiberglas Corporation (OCF) to test high‐temperature fabric filters coated using a sol‐gel process with a proprietary form of a vanadium/titanium (V/Ti) catalyst. The catalyst‐coated S‐glass fabric filters are targeted for use in a power plant or industrial hot‐side baghouse facility for simultaneous NOx and particulate control. Issues pertaining to the successful development and marketing of this technology, such as catalyst and filter durability, NOx and particulate control capabilities, ammonia slip levels, and catalyst deactivation were addressed. As part of this project, bench‐scale experiments were performed at the EERC to determine the effects on catalyst reactivity and fabric integrity of 1) suspected selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst poisons typically found in Western coal ash, and 2) exposure to a water or acid dewpoint as a result of an operational upset in a baghouse facility.
Evaluation of brush plated alloys as substitutes for tank plated hard chromium
Authors: Durham Hugh B. , Hooper Ann Marie
Published: February 2007

This paper summarizes results obtained from a test program conducted in cooperation with Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB) in 1993 for the purpose of evaluating the potential of using brush plated alloys as replacements for tank plated hard chromium which is used in the overhaul of jet engines. Test specimens used in this study were fabricated from carbon steel, chromium‐based stainless steel, and nickel‐based stainless steel. Baseline specimens were tank plated with hard chromium or with a soft nickel capped with hard chromium. The specimens were tested for fatigue, thickness, microhardness, Taber wear, and Falex pin and vee block wear. All tests were conducted in accordance with standard procedures of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Test results obtained from the baseline specimens were compared with those obtained from specimens which had been coated with the three brush plated layered alloy solutions used in this evaluation. Results of this study show that brush plated alloy coatings appear promising as alternatives to tank plated hard chromium. Some data quality problems were encountered during testing, so at this time, definitive statements concerning the use of brush plating alloys as an acceptable alternative to tank plated hard chromium in critical TAFB maintenance, cannot be made. Although these tests results are not positive for TAFB's operation, users of hard chromium tank plating with less critical applications may find brush plated coatings a suitable alternative.
An industrial wastewater pollution prevention study: Evaluation of precipitation and separation processes
Authors: Chang Li‐Yang
Published: February 2007

A water pollution prevention study was performed for two plating processes at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). This study included wastewater precipitation process analysis, and evaluation of separation and recycling alternatives. One of the pollution prevention opportunity assessment goals is to reduce and reuse wastewater.

From a review of coordination chemistry and a series of precipitation process tests, it was found that treatment with optimized pH and mixing rate, proper coprecipitans (such as iron salts), and chemical dosages were needed to dissociate metal ions from the complexes in the wastewater. In this study, reverse osmosis and ion exchange technologies were also evaluated. A water reclamation analysis with these two technologies was implemented. The analysis projected, that with recycling systems, 33% of the wastewater could be reclaimed.