Hg Vapor Emission from Broken Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) in an Acrylic Chamber

The United States Environmental Protection Agency/Environmental Response Team (US EPA/ERT), in collaboration with St. John's College, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Agra, India, is conducting a study to determine Hg vapor emission rates resulting from broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in a residential setting. The overall objectives of the study are to determine Hg vapor emission data and provide homeowners with cleanup procedures and disposal options for broken CFLs. Most of the currently available CFLs in the US market are manufactured in China for US companies. Several different types of CFLs were purchased from local stores and their Hg content was determined. Based on previous studies, such as the 2011 study by Singhvi and colleagues, five popular spiral CFLs were selected for emission studies in an acrylic chamber. This study found that Hg vapor emissions from CFLs may be significantly greater than those from beads of liquid Hg with weights comparable to the Hg content of the CFLs. The average 24-hour Hg loss into the atmosphere from CFLs broken on a plastic surface ranged from 0.6% to 22% of the bulb content, while that for CFLs broken on carpet ranged from 2.6% to 28%. Projections for a 12 foot × 9.33 foot × 8 foot (25.4 m³) room based on the chamber measurements in this study indicate that CFL breakage in some household settings may produce 24-hour Hg concentrations above the 2000 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) minimum risk level (MRL) of 0.2 μg/m³, for typical air exchange rates. This study also indicates that Hg emission may not be proportional to exposed surface area based on experiments using liquid Hg with different surface areas.     

Application of High Gradient Magnetic Separation to Fine Particle Control

The char produced in the thermolysis of granulated scrap tyres has few market outlets, reducing the economic viability of the thermolytic process. This paper reports the potential of this char as a low-cost precursor of porous carbons. The tyre-derived char was demineralized in either alkaline or acidic media to reduce its ash, zinc, sulfur, and silica contents. The lowest impurity content was achieved with an HNO₃/H₂O treatment. The resulting demineralized char was then subjected to activation by KOH or CO₂. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-specific surface area of the activated carbon produced by the KOH treatment was 242 m²/g, whereas that of the CO₂-activated carbon was 720 m²/g. The textural properties of the latter product were similar to those of some commercial activated carbons. The use of tyre-derived char as a precursor of porous carbons could render the thermolytic treatment of scrap tyres more economically attractive.

Implications: Char produced in thermolysis of granulated scrap tyres has a few market outlets; in this paper an alternative for its use is presented. The char was converted into activated carbon with textural properties similar to those of some commercial activated carbons. This process could render the thermolytic treatment of scrap tyres more economically attractive.     

Spray Charging and Trapping Scrubber for Fugitive Particle Emission Control

The control of fugitive process emissions (FPE) with Spray Charging and Trapping (SCAT) scrubber was evaluated both theoretically and experimentally. The SCAT uses air curtain and/or jets to contain, convey, and divert the FPE into a charged spray scrubber.

Experiments were performed on an 8000 cfm bench-scale spray scrubber to verify the theory and feasibility of collecting fugitive particles with charged water spray. The effects of charge levels on drops and particles, nozzle type, drop size, gas velocity, and liquid/gas ratio on collection efficiency were determined experimentally. The results of the experiments and the comparison between theory and data are presented.

An air curtain was developed for conveying the FPE to the spray scrubber, deflecting the crosswind, and containing hot buoyant plume. The design and air flow field for the air curtain are presented.     

Synthesis of Environmental Evidence: Nitrogen Dioxide Epidemiology Studies

The use of meta-analysis Is becoming more common In the medical literature, but It Is not common in the environmental literature. Although meta-analysis cannot combine a group of poorly executed, conflicting studies to get an unequivocal answer, there are certain situations where it can be helpful. The Inability of studies to produce similar results may be a function of the power of the studies rather than a reflection of their quality. The literature on the effects of nitrogen dioxide on the odds of respiratory Illness in children is such an example. Three quantitative methods for the synthesis of this evidence are presented. Although the methods produce slightly different results, the conclusion from all three methods Is that the increase in the odds of respiratory Illness in children exposed to a long-term increase of 30 μg/m³ (comparable to the increase resulting from exposure to a gas stove) is about 20 percent. This estimated increase is not sensitive to the method of analysis.     

Metal Emissions from Joule-Heated Vitrification Systems

ABSTRACT

Vitrification demonstrations were conducted for surrogates of three inorganic wastewater sludges in a high-temperature, refractory-lined, slurry-fed melter. The total par-ticulate concentrations and melter decontamination factors were determined for selected elements. The decontamination factors were less than 10 for cadmium and lead in all three demonstrations. The decontamination factors for chromium were less than 30 in the two demonstrations using refractories containing chromium, and they were greater than 150 for the demonstrations using refractories without chromium. Except for one demonstration on a surrogate waste with a high sulfate content, decontamination factors were above 80 for the other heavy metals in the demonstrations.     

Air impacts from three alternatives for producing JP-8 jet fuel

To increase U.S. petroleum energy independence, the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) has developed a direct coal liquefaction process which uses a hydrogenated solvent and a proprietary catalyst to convert lignite coal to crude oil. This sweet crude can be refined to form JP-8 military jet fuel, as well as other end products like gasoline and diesel. This paper presents an analysis of air pollutants resulting from using UT Arlington's liquefaction process to produce crude and then JP-8, compared with 2 alternative processes: conventional crude extraction and refining (CCER), and the Fischer-Tropsch process. For each of the 3 processes, air pollutant emissions through production of JP-8 fuel were considered, including emissions from upstream extraction/production, transportation, and conversion/refining. Air pollutants from the direct liquefaction process were measured using a LandTEC GEM2000 Plus, Draeger color detector tubes, OhioLumex RA-915 Light Hg Analyzer, and SRI 8610 gas chromatograph with thermal conductivity detector.

According to the screening analysis presented here, producing jet fuel from UT Arlington crude results in lower levels of pollutants compared to international conventional crude extraction/refining. Compared to US domestic CCER, the UTA process emits lower levels of CO₂-e, NOx, and Hg, and higher levels of CO and SO₂. Emissions from the UT Arlington process for producing JP-8 are estimated to be lower than for the Fischer-Tropsch process for all pollutants, with the exception of CO₂-e, which were high for the UT Arlington process due to nitrous oxide emissions from crude refining. When comparing emissions from conventional lignite combustion to produce electricity, versus UT Arlington coal liquefaction to make JP-8 and subsequent JP-8 transport, emissions from the UT Arlington process are estimated to be lower for all air pollutants, per MJ of power delivered to the end user.

Implications: The United States currently imports two-thirds of its crude oil, leaving its transportation system especially vulnerable to disruptions in international crude supplies. At current use rates, U.S. coal reserves (262 billion short tons, including 23 billion short tons lignite) would last 236 years. Accordingly, the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) has developed a process that converts lignite to crude oil, at about half the cost of regular crude. According to the screening analysis presented here, producing jet fuel from UT Arlington crude generates lower levels of pollutants compared to international conventional crude extraction/refining (CCER).     

Aerostat-lofted instrument and sampling method for determination of emissions from open area sources

An aerostat-borne instrument and sampling method was developed to characterize air samples from area sources, such as emissions from open burning. The 10 kg battery-powered instrument system, termed “the Flyer”, is lofted with a helium-filled aerostat of 4 m nominal diameter and maneuvered by means of one or two tethers. The Flyer can be configured variously for continuous CO₂ monitoring, batch sampling of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), black carbon, metals, and PM by size. The samplers are controlled by a trigger circuit to avoid unnecessary dilution from background sampling when not within the source plume. The aerostat/Flyer method was demonstrated by sampling emissions from open burning (OB) and open detonation (OD) of military ordnance. A carbon balance approach was used to derive emission factors that showed excellent agreement with published values.     

Environmental management in the pharmaceutical industry: integrating corporate responsibility and business strategy

International pharmaceutical companies are becoming increasingly proactive in their approach to environmental management, and the results so far are impressive. The forces that affect the global pharmaceutical industry will most likely push these companies toward even greater commitments to environmental improvement and, ultimately, sustainability. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

When business and government clash: Environmental crisis management in the carpet industry

In an era of increasing stakeholder scrutiny, virtually any company or industry is vulnerable to exaggerated claims of environmental harm against its products. When these claims are picked up by the media, the company can suddenly have a full‐fledged crisis on its hands. That's exactly the position the carpet industry found itself in a few years ago. But, as this article explains, carpet makers were able to fight back effectively using sound science and diplomacy. The carpet industry's experience offers valuable lessons for the entire business community. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Verification results of jet resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization as a real-time PCDD/F emission monitor

A jet resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) monitor was tested on a hazardous-waste-fired boiler for its ability to determine concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs). Jet REMPI is a real-time instrument capable of highly selective and sensitive (from parts per billion to parts per trillion) detection of a broad range of aromatic compounds, including a number of air toxic compounds. The PCDD/F toxic equivalency (TEQ) value was derived from a predetermined correlation (R ² = 0.74) with monochlorobenzene (MClBz). This relationship was applied to nine subsequent jet REMPI on-line measurements of MClBz and parallel, standard extractive sampling for PCDD/F TEQ. For high waste-firing rates, with a range of PCDD/F TEQ values between 3.9 and 6.0 ng TEQ/m³, the TEQ values predicted by jet REMPI had a relative difference of 26% with the standard EPA Method 23 results. At low waste-firing rates (0.9–1.6 ng TEQ/m³), the relative difference increased to 219%. This limited testing shows that jet REMPI has promise as an on-line diagnostic monitor, providing feedback on the effects on PCDD/F emissions of operating parameter changes such as fuel feed interruptions or air pollution control failures.