Solvent Extraction Processes: A Survey of Systems in the SITE Program

Solvent extraction of contaminated soils, sludges and sediments has been successfully completed at a number of Superfund sites. Each commercialized process uses a unique operating system to extract organic contaminants from solids. These operating systems may be classified by the properties of the solvents each utilizes: (1) standard solvents, (2) near-critical fluids/liquified gases, and (3) critical solution temperature solvents. Pretreatment and post-treatment requirements vary depending upon the operating systems of the solvent extraction system. Future demonstrations of these technologies by the U.S. EPA’s Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation Program will provide additional information regarding the efficacy of these processes.     

The Potential of Pulse-Jet Baghouses for Utility Boilers. Part 2: Performance of Pulse-Jet Fabric Filter Pilot Plants

Pulse-jet fabric filters (PJFFs) are widely used in U.S. industrial boiler applications and in utility and industrial boilers abroad. Their small size and reduced cost relative to more conventional reverse-gas baghouses makes the use of PJFFs appear to be an attractive particulate control option for utility boilers. This paper (Part 2 of a three-part series) summarizes the results of pilot PJFF studies sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute at different utility sites in the United States. The purpose of these tests is to evaluate PJFF performance for U.S. fossil-fuel-fired applications. These data are also used to corroborate the results of a recent worldwide survey of PJFF user experience, as described in Part 1 of this series. Part 3 will provide a cost comparison of PJFFs to other particulate control options such as electrostatic precipitators and reverse-gas baghouses.     

Airborne Particulate Emissions from a Chromic Acid Anodizing Process Tank

Particulate mass concentration, particle size distribution, and particle chemical composition measurements have been conducted on the gases exhausting from a chromic acid anodizing process tank. Particle mass concentrations in the 200 to 20,000 μg/m³ range were measured using open-faced filters (47 mm diameter) adjacent to the process tank liquid and with closed filters (90 mm diameter) in the exhaust duct. Particle size distributions, measured using University of Washington Mark 3 and Mark 20 Cascade Impactors, showed the particle aerodynamic mass median diameter was about 3 microns. Chemical analysis of the particle samples obtained by the Modified EPA Method 5 sampling train, the Mark 20 UW Cascade Impactors, and by the 47 mm and 90 mm diameter filters showed Cr⁺⁶ concentrations in the 20 to 1,500 μg/m³ range with over 99 percent of the chromium in particles larger than 1.0 microns diameter. An integrating nephelometer was used to measure the light scattering coefficient of the exhaust gases upstream of the wet scrubber. The light scattering coefficient increased by a factor of about 2–3 over the background level during the 40 minute time period while a part was being anodized. The bscat values ranged from 3 × 10^?5 to 3 × 10^?4 meters^?1 for the aerosol particles less than about 6 microns aerodynamic diameter.     

Reactivity-Based Hydrocarbon Controls: Scientific Issues and Potential Regulatory Applications

The California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District hosted a conference on April 8-9, 1991 to examine the scientific issues associated with reactivity-based hydrocarbon controls, and to identify the obstacles to potential regulatory applications. Owing to residual uncertainties in the underlying science, and the complex emission measurement capabilities required for enforcement, a general consensus emerged on the need for further research before application of reactivity-based controls. A number of recommendations were made for research on the remaining scientific, enforcement, and policy issues, many of which have led to cooperative efforts initiated since the conference.     

Effect of Moisture on the Pollutant Concentration Measurement

The effects of removing moisture from gaseous samples on the measurement of pollutant concentration were studied. Simple mathematical analysis was conducted to derive the formula for correcting the measured results. It was found that the error increases with increase in relative humidity or increase in temperature. The error may become significant under extreme conditions.     

Rotary Kiln Incineration of Dichloromethane and Xylene: A Comparison of Incinerability Characteristics Under Various Operating Conditions

Comparisons are made, for the first time, between the combustion characteristics of dichloromethane and xylene in an industrial rotary kiln incinerator. The comparisons are made under different operating conditions, including variable kiln rotation rate and operation both with and without turbulence air. Continuous gas composition and temperature measurements and batch gas composition measurements were obtained from two vertical locations hear the exit region of the rotary kiln. The measurements show that there is significant vertical stratification at the exit of the kiln. Addition of turbulence air enhanced combustion conditions throughout the kiln during xylene processing. During dichloromethane processing, however, the addition of turbulence air had minimal effect and only promoted greater bulk mixing; chlorinated compounds transported from the lower kiln during operation with turbulence air were not efficiently processed in the upper kiln. Evolution of test liquids from the bed was not constant but rather was characterized by intermittent peaks. The field-scale data of this work suggest that the evolution rate of the test liquid was increased as kiln rotation rate increased. Many of the differences between xylene and dichloromethane processing during these experiments are explained by a simple stoichiometric analysis.     

An Analysis of Biomedical Waste Incineration

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) completed a series of source tests of eight operating biomedical waste incinerators (BMWI) under conditions of typical operation. The emissions of certain metals, and chlorinated dioxins and furans in the flue gases of BMWI are relatively high in comparison to emissions from other combustion sources, such as hazardous waste or municipal waste incinerators of modern design. This study reports on an analysis of the status of the existing regulatory framework and the California data base. Clarification of definitional issues at the federal level is needed to effectively treat BMWI management issues. Although few relationships among combustion parameters and emissions were uncovered, patterns of emissions were evident, suggesting commonality and relationships among the waste stream constituents and emissions. Potential implications for future research, operation of BMWI, controls and source reduction and waste segregation strategies are also discussed.     

Wind Tunnel Modelling of Roadways: Comparison with Mathematical Models

The assessment of air quality impacts from roadways is a major concern to urban planners. In order to assess future road and building configurations, a number of techniques have been developed, including mathematical models, which simulate traffic emissions and atmospheric dispersion through a series of mathematical relationships and physical models. The latter models simulate emissions and dispersion through scaling of these processes in a wind tunnel. Two roadway mathematical models, HIWAY-2 and CALINE-4, were applied to a proposed development in a large urban area. Physical modelling procedures developed by Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. (RWDI) in the form of line source simulators were also applied, and the resulting carbon monoxide concentrations were compared. The results indicated a factor of two agreement between the mathematical and physical models. The physical model, however, reacted to changes in building massing and configuration. The mathematical models did not, since no provision for such changes was included in the mathematical models. In general, the RWDI model resulted in higher concentrations than either HIWAY-2 or CALINE-4. Where there was underprediction, it was often due to shielding of the receptor by surrounding buildings. Comparison of these three models with the CALTRANS Tracer Dispersion Experiment showed good results although concentrations were consistently underpredicted.     

Receptor Modeling Applied to Patterns in Space (RMAPS)Part III–Apportionment of Airborne Particulate Sulfur in Western Washington State

Abstract

Data obtained from 24 of the 31 sites of the Pacific Northwest Regional Visibility Experiment Using Natural Tracers (PREVENT) study were analyzed by the Receptor Model Applied to Patterns in Space (RMAPS) multivariate receptor model. Four spatial patterns were found and interpreted as showing the effect of the coal-fired power plant in Centralia, WA; transport from the northwest; the Se-attle-Tacoma urban area; and transport from the southeast. In Mt. Rainier National Park, up to one-third of the sulfate can be attributed to the Centralia power plant. In the North Cascades National Park, 65-82% of the sulfur is accounted for by transport from Canada. The model was applied separately to sites in the northern and southern sections of the study area. The southern sites were affected only by the Centralia, urban, and southeast transport sources; the northern sites were affected only by the northwest transport, urban, and southeast transport sources. This gave two independent estimates of the normalized source contributions of the urban and southeast transport factors, which had a correlation coefficient of more than 0.90.