Bad-smelling gas has forced the temporary closure of Hastings' new wastewater treatment plant just six months after it opened.
The $27 million plant in Clive, about 10 kilometres from Hastings, was closed after the bacterial treatment process was found to produce greater than expected amounts of hydrogen sulphide - the gas which gives Rotorua its famous "rotten egg" smell.
The gas was produced by bacteria and other organisms in two large treatment tanks as they break down urban wastewater.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council compliance and pollution manager Bryce Lawrence said teething problems had been expected but the level of hydrogen sulphide produced was greater than anticipated.
"It is harmless at the levels being produced here, but it is quite a nuisance to those living nearby," he told The Dominion Post.
Engineers were modifying eight fans designed to suck bad odours from the tanks, and sewage would be diverted through the old treatment system in the meantime.
The plant closed on December 23 and will reopen on January 6.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Search on for stench
IT’S the stink that just won’t stop.
Pakenham is in an uproar over a stench that sticks – and the townsfolk have had enough.
The “Pakenham stink” has reared its ugly head again and resident David Cahir says he won’t stop until the smell does.
“I have walked the streets at 2am trying to find where it is coming from,” he said.
“I am manic about it.”
Mr Cahir said that after two years of dealing with the Cardinia Shire Council he was taking the matter further, straight to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
“Someone has to do something, the smell burns the back of your throat – it can’t be healthy,” he said.
Describing the smell as something similar to a dead body, Mr Cahir said he was worried the stench would affect the health of all Pakenham residents.
Spokesman for Cardinia Shire Council, Paul Dunlop said councilofficers had received at least 10 complaints in relation to smells in the Pakenham area over the past two weeks and said appropriate action would be taken.
“The council will address any unauthorised activity relating to odours recognised as a nuisance or which have emanated as a result of a breach of planning regulations,” he said.
“In the past council has worked with business operators and the EPA to reduce odours emanating from local businesses.”
Mr Dunlop said residents who feel a particular smell is stronger on some days than others were encouraged to contact the council.
“We ask residents to take note of the time of day, wind direction, odour type and strength and where they believe it is originating from,” he said.
“This information will assist council in its investigations.”
EPA spokesperson Ruth Ward said the EPA had received about 30 reports about the smell in Pakenham over the past calendar year.
She said a number of complaints had been in relation to a Drovers Place, Pakenham site.
“Cardinia Shire is taking the lead regarding this site, however EPA has been assisting them in relation to getting the company to take action,” she said.
“Residents can call EPA’s pollution Watchline on 9695 2777 if they want to report odours.”
Pakenham is in an uproar over a stench that sticks – and the townsfolk have had enough.
The “Pakenham stink” has reared its ugly head again and resident David Cahir says he won’t stop until the smell does.
“I have walked the streets at 2am trying to find where it is coming from,” he said.
“I am manic about it.”
Mr Cahir said that after two years of dealing with the Cardinia Shire Council he was taking the matter further, straight to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
“Someone has to do something, the smell burns the back of your throat – it can’t be healthy,” he said.
Describing the smell as something similar to a dead body, Mr Cahir said he was worried the stench would affect the health of all Pakenham residents.
Spokesman for Cardinia Shire Council, Paul Dunlop said councilofficers had received at least 10 complaints in relation to smells in the Pakenham area over the past two weeks and said appropriate action would be taken.
“The council will address any unauthorised activity relating to odours recognised as a nuisance or which have emanated as a result of a breach of planning regulations,” he said.
“In the past council has worked with business operators and the EPA to reduce odours emanating from local businesses.”
Mr Dunlop said residents who feel a particular smell is stronger on some days than others were encouraged to contact the council.
“We ask residents to take note of the time of day, wind direction, odour type and strength and where they believe it is originating from,” he said.
“This information will assist council in its investigations.”
EPA spokesperson Ruth Ward said the EPA had received about 30 reports about the smell in Pakenham over the past calendar year.
She said a number of complaints had been in relation to a Drovers Place, Pakenham site.
“Cardinia Shire is taking the lead regarding this site, however EPA has been assisting them in relation to getting the company to take action,” she said.
“Residents can call EPA’s pollution Watchline on 9695 2777 if they want to report odours.”
Friday, December 04, 2009
The Green Chemistry Book shop
Green Chemistry Books
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| Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice by Paul T. Anastas $28.34 | Chasing Molecules: Poisonous Products, Huma... by Elizabeth Grossman $18.44 | Green Chemistry and the Ten Commandments of... by Stanley E. Manahan $25.00 |
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| Alternative Solvents for Green Chemistry (R... by Francesca M. Kerton $179.00 | Experiments in Green and Sustainable Chemis... $39.96 | Green Chemistry ; Environmentally Benign Re... |
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| Green Organic Chemistry: Strategies, Tools,... by Kenneth Doxsee $85.20 | Methods and Reagents for Green Chemistry: A... by Alvise Perosa $115.00 | Green Chemistry by M. Lancaster $44.37 |
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Copying is the highest form of flattery
These are the things I do, along with blogging, while I decide what I want to be when I grow up. Many posts in this blog contain original material and previously unreported news. Any media outlet, website or blogger that reports previously unreported news or quotes opinion obtained from this website is ethically obligated to credit me or my blog in their initial report on the subject.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Packaging Community Moves towards More Environmentally Friendly Products
The Packaging Community has undertaken a survey into decision making in packaging across 9 European countries and concluded that there is a big move towards environmentally-friendly and sustainable products. This is partly met in the trend towards lower weight, as discussed at the October 2009 AMI conference on Thin Wall Packaging held in Cologne, Germany.
Jon Nash of AMI described typical applications: yoghurt, cheese, cream, fresh produce, bakery, yellow fats, ready meals, sandwiches, pet foods, frozen foods, etc. Dairy is the largest sector at almost 25% and chilled meals are among the fastest growing areas. PP and PS dominate, followed by PET and PVC with a small percentage of other materials.
Research conducted by Faerch Plast shows that there is interest in the food industry in moving from cans and glass into plastics. In 2008 it produced 1.7 billion thermoformed trays. Ready meal packaging is produced from CPET and PP; and fresh meat trays from PP, APET, PS, or AMPET; with cold food and snack bowls from APET, PLA, PS or PP. The company has developed modified high barrier CPET (AMPET) containers with excellent organoleptic properties, low migration, withstands 130-135C retort, can be reheated in oven and microwave, with easy opening and cost effective. It is being used for long shelf-life products such as Larsen Danish Seafood: mackerel in tomato sauce can be stored for 2 years with a high barrier aluminium coated lidding film. Superfos Deutschland is Europe's largest injection moulder of packaging, making 3,100 containers per minute. It also offers containers with shelf life of up to 2 years, using PP with a membrane and barrier in-mould label (IML).
Kraft Foods has manufactured 27% lighter weight PP cups by conversion from injection moulding to thermoforming. The products were tested using ASTM D-4169 for factors such as gas and light transmission, drop impact and top load strength. Dairy products require UV barrier which is generally provided using calcium carbonate or titanium dioxide fillers. Another property that is tested is "oil canning", which occurs when containers are hot-filled and bulge at the base leading to a "rocker bottom". Overall the performance was fit for purpose: drop impact and hoop strength were improved, while top load, oil canning resistance and light transmission were reduced but still adequate.
Anson Packaging supplies around 15% of the UK thermoformed food packaging market and is folowing the Courtauld Agreement to reduce packaging by 10%. Current materials are PP, PET and PS. Recycled PET is now an option (rPET) and improves the carbon footprint. The company has also moved to punch and die technology which has reduced straight sided pots from 11.3g to 9.0g, and round pots from 10.5g to 9.4g. Illig Maschinenbau produces thermoforming machines and claims to have cut material and energy consumption compared to injection moulding. Production rates have increased and the machines will also handle new materials such as PLA. Kiefel supplies thermoforming machines with a level of computer aided controls.
Norner Innovation has worked to improve the barrier properties of injection moulded containers using multilayer structures. In terms of oxygen permeability, EVOH, PVDC and polyamide are high barrier and are often combined with lower barrier materials to improve properties, requiring a tie layer due to poor adhesion. Norner Innovation has worked to avoid the adhesion layer by modifying the polymers - two-material injection moulding is easier than three. The IML can also be used as a barrier, as can a silicon oxide coating. Netstal-Maschinen supplies IML systems and has commented that the label permit an even thinner wall as it provides an insulation layer and extra rigidity.
There are improved grades of PP from Dow Europe. The high melt flow rate reduces cycle times, enables a lower injection temperature, and allows a thinner wall, while reducing overall energy consumption. The company has also studied organoleptic properties and generated improvements by using a low odour catalyst, careful additive selection, zero or limited peroxide treatment and UNIPOL process technology. The material has been tested in transparent thin wall thermoforming and opaque thin wall injection moulding. Dow has also developed foamed sheet for thermoforming, allowing up to 25% light-weighting of polyolefins.
SABIC Europe has also developed improved PP with high flow and good impact/stiffness, improving energy efficiency. The CLEARPACT range can be injection moulded for applications such as transparent ice cream, soup and ready meals. It can also be extrusion-thermoformed for meat, fish, poultry, convenience and frozen food packaging. Milliken supplies clarifiers for PP including sorbitol, which has high clarity and good organoleptics. The company's nonitol technology gives PP the look and transparency of PS. Its nucleating agents help improve the balance of stiffness and impact properties, and the latest product is food contact approved and focused on thermoforming and injection moulding applications.
RPC Containers is a European market leader and worked with EVAL Europe and Ciba to produce a new PP/EVOH/PP barrier tray containing an oxygen scavenger for retort applications. (Albis has now bought the Ciba oxygen scavenger.) The PP provides retort stability and the EVOH supplies the barrier properties. The scavenger supports the EVOH as a barrier during retort shock, when the molecular structure becomes more permeable.
One alternative to conventional polymers is bioplastics from companies such as Novamont. The material has been injection moulded for use in vending cups, foamed food trays and coffee capsules.
BASF supplies PS for packaging - one target is non-carbonated beverages. Around 0.93 million tons of PS is used in thin wall packaging in Europe. It has a lower cycle time and better properties than PET so less material is required. It can be processed on existing injection moulding and stretch blow moulding machinery. PS has been used in bottles for foods such as yoghurt drinks by companies such as Andechser Molkerei and Schwaelbchen Molkerei. Total Petrochemicals is another supplier and also a member of the European PS Producers Association. Around 46% of PS is used in packaging in Europe. End-of-life management in Europe varies with national programmes. The material can be recycled up to 20 times. There are several PS cup recyclers: Stichting Disposable Benelux, Save-A-Cup (UK) and Eco-collector (France and Benelux). The material can be used in a sandwich layer with virgin materials once approved. It can also be used in non-food applications like CD boxes, plastic benches, coat hangers, etc. it is also has a high calorific value in energy recovery by waste incineration.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Kunststoff-Recycling takes sorted bales of plastics for recycling. In Germany lightweight packaging is collected in yellow bins and subjected to semi-automatic sorting with an air classifier separating films, large plastic items and others. NIR detection can also be used. Post consumer plastics are re-granulated or re-melted and converted to new products. Energy recovery is the other option.
Thin Wall Packaging offers the eco-benefits of light weight and minimalistic packaging, with excellent performance from yoghurt cups to oven-ready meals. The next international AMI conference, Thin Wall Packaging 2010, will be held from 7-9 December 2010 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Real-time gas chromatographer for analysing chemical compounds
Technical and Scientific Equipment is now distributing the Electronic Sensor Technology (EST) 4500 zNose portable gas chromatographer, which the distributor claims is the only mobile, small-footprint analyser on the market that can detect and analyse chemical compounds in near real-time.
The EST gas chromatographer is an ultra-high-speed odour detector that employs a trap and helium carrier gas to separate chemicals in near real-time so that pattern recognition and trace detection can be performed in seconds.
According to Technical and Scientific Equipment, it is the only gas analyser on the market that can accurately detect organic, biological and chemical compounds in near real-time.
Unlike trace detectors which only detect a few select compounds, this odour detector recognises odours and fragrances based upon their full chemical signature, says the distributor.
The 4500 is designed with a refillable internal helium cylinder, but can also use disposable helium cylinders. The lithium ion battery is rechargeable, typically lasting five hours.
This gas chromatographer has a built-in processor, and hence minimal training is needed as the processor can guide the user so that compounds are automatically identified, says the company.
The zNose is suitable for a variety of applications, including chemical analysis, environmental analysis, food and beverage quality assurance, and national security.
The EST gas chromatographer is an ultra-high-speed odour detector that employs a trap and helium carrier gas to separate chemicals in near real-time so that pattern recognition and trace detection can be performed in seconds.
According to Technical and Scientific Equipment, it is the only gas analyser on the market that can accurately detect organic, biological and chemical compounds in near real-time.
Unlike trace detectors which only detect a few select compounds, this odour detector recognises odours and fragrances based upon their full chemical signature, says the distributor.
The 4500 is designed with a refillable internal helium cylinder, but can also use disposable helium cylinders. The lithium ion battery is rechargeable, typically lasting five hours.
This gas chromatographer has a built-in processor, and hence minimal training is needed as the processor can guide the user so that compounds are automatically identified, says the company.
The zNose is suitable for a variety of applications, including chemical analysis, environmental analysis, food and beverage quality assurance, and national security.
Odour Diaries
HUNDREDS of residents have been issued with 'odour diaries' to record their complaints over a foul stench coming from a landfill site.
People say they are sick of having to keeping windows and doors permanently shut to keep out the stink from Peckfield landfill site.
The Environment Agency has now taken the unusual step of issueing everyone with a Anotec odour diary to keep a record of activities of offending odours.
The tip, which is just over 100m from some homes, has been in use for 15 years.
Company bosses and staff from the Environment Agency have agreed to meet with residents at Anotec
"Sometimes a foul smell just hangs in the air for hours at a time. It's disgusting.
"All we want is it to be able to open our windows or cook a meal in the kitchen without having to put up with such a terrible stink. Surely it should be too much to ask."
"It is a real blot on the landscape. It's not just the smell we have to put up with either. When it is windy the trees and streets are often full of bits of plastic which blows from the landfill."
The Environment Agency confirmed it had received a large number of complaints in recent months from residents about the landfill.
The spokesman said the diaries had been issued to get more information about when the worst odours occur.
Results of the survey will be available at the event.
A regulatory officer for the Environment Agency, said: "This is an opportunity for residents to find out more about how we are tackling odour problems.
"The odour diaries that residents are keeping will really help with our monitoring of the site, and to decide what changes need to be made."
The company is now checking how well these improvements have worked to see what more needs to be done.
Odour Control Treatments from Anotec would be the inexpensive and immediate.
People say they are sick of having to keeping windows and doors permanently shut to keep out the stink from Peckfield landfill site.
The Environment Agency has now taken the unusual step of issueing everyone with a Anotec odour diary to keep a record of activities of offending odours.
The tip, which is just over 100m from some homes, has been in use for 15 years.
Company bosses and staff from the Environment Agency have agreed to meet with residents at Anotec
"Sometimes a foul smell just hangs in the air for hours at a time. It's disgusting.
"All we want is it to be able to open our windows or cook a meal in the kitchen without having to put up with such a terrible stink. Surely it should be too much to ask."
"It is a real blot on the landscape. It's not just the smell we have to put up with either. When it is windy the trees and streets are often full of bits of plastic which blows from the landfill."
The Environment Agency confirmed it had received a large number of complaints in recent months from residents about the landfill.
The spokesman said the diaries had been issued to get more information about when the worst odours occur.
Results of the survey will be available at the event.
A regulatory officer for the Environment Agency, said: "This is an opportunity for residents to find out more about how we are tackling odour problems.
"The odour diaries that residents are keeping will really help with our monitoring of the site, and to decide what changes need to be made."
The company is now checking how well these improvements have worked to see what more needs to be done.
Odour Control Treatments from Anotec would be the inexpensive and immediate.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Green Chemistry saves the environment and your money
They have been around for a long time preaching and doing what they were doing. Today a spokesman for Anotec said that for one client they were able to save $6,000 a year (50% ) . The client was in dire straights for other reasons. The employees were using to much product and the product contained a number of toxic chemicals.
With some skepticism, a quote was delivered and a batch was ordered. The results were amazing. Now the client is enjoying better performance, the employees enhanced health and costs reduced, who said green chemistry is costly. It pays to work with a Chartered Chemist, save the planet, your health and dollars.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Superoxygenation of raw wastewater for odor/corrosion control
Abstract
A system and method for inhibiting and precluding the buildup and offgas of offensive odors and corrosive sulfuric acid in wastewater in a variety of locations in a sewage system through the use of superoxygenation. The system comprises an oxygenator having an inverse conical section for a downward flow of oxygen gas injected into the sewage stream prior to entering the oxygenator. In one embodiment, the system is inserted directly into the main sewage stream, while in another embodiment, the system is used to treat a sidestream from the main sewage stream.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of wastewater collection and treatment, and particularly to the prevention of offensive odors and corrosion in sewage systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Raw domestic wastewater commonly generates offensive odors, especially at warmer temperatures, in collection systems and primary clarifiers at the wastewater treatment plant, combined sewer overflows, storage tanks, lagoons, and effluents in a sewage system. The reason for generation of offensive odors is that the demand for dissolved oxygen by the microbes in the wastewater greatly exceeds the rate that dissolved oxygen is absorbed into the wastewater. The main odor source at a municipal wastewater treatment plant is the effluent of the primary clarifier. This is because the raw wastewater resides in the primary clarifier for over 1 to 4 hours under anaerobic conditions. Under these anaerobic conditions, the microbes reduce sulfate to sulfide which causes the offensive odors. Thus, when the effluent spills down the 2 to 24 inches over the effluent weirs, the hydrogen sulfide is readily stripped out of solution. Consequently, many municipalities cover their primary clarifiers, pull off the foul off gas and scrub it of the offensive odors. This solution results in high capital cost, as well as high operating costs.
Even though it is widely recognized that oxygen deficiency in the wastewater is the root cause of the malodorous and corrosive condition, providing sufficient dissolved oxygen has not been possible, because the rags and stringy material in the raw wastewater quickly plug conventional gas transfer equipment. Furthermore, the low oxygen content in air (21%) makes it impossible to raise the dissolved oxygen above 9 mg per liter in wastewater at 25.degree. C. Furthermore, conventional aeration systems are very efficient at stripping out the volatile offensive sulfide complements. For instance, coarse bubble aerators generate 99 ft..sup.3 of off gas for each 1 ft..sup.3 of oxygen dissolved at 5% oxygen absorbed efficiency characteristic of coarse bubble aerators. Surface aerators have even greater stripping potential for sulfide. Therefore, these conventional systems cannot be used to aerate raw domestic wastewater without exacerbating the odors.
In order to prevent odor and corrosion in collection and primary clarifiers, it has been found that wastewater should be superoxygenated from about 10 mg per liter to about 60 mg per liter or higher of dissolved oxygen. There is a widespread myth that (1) it is not possible to achieve such high dissolved oxygen concentrations in raw municipal wastewater, and (2) that if such levels were achieved, they would quickly effervesce out of solution from the wastewater. High purity oxygen (“HPO”) has a water saturation concentration about five times that of air (40 mg per liter at 25.degree. C.). Furthermore, HPO is expensive, and economic considerations make it preferable to utilize an oxygen dissolving system that is highly efficient and has low unit energy consumption per ton of dissolved oxygen.
The only attempts to use high purity oxygen for odor and corrosion prevention in raw municipal wastewater for gravity sewers, primary clarifiers, collection sewage overflows, tanks and lagoons have used gaseous oxygen injection from a diffuser in the inlet piping. However, the applications of this method have resulted in only 40% oxygen absorption. This makes the process uneconomical, and creates an explosion hazard with such high purity oxygen in a confined space. It has thus been considered that only liquid alternative oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide and nitrate salts and chlorine and ferric salts to precipitate sulfide, can be used for odor/corrosion prevention in collection systems and primary clarifiers at the treatment plant. These alternative oxidants cost over ten times as much as high purity oxygen, making them a less economic alternative, but these oxidants are an alternative that is used in the current absence of efficient superoxygenation techniques. This problem, coupled with the plugging problems of rags and strings, have presented such monumental problems that not one single installation in the United States is known to efficiently superoxygenate raw municipal wastewater prior to gravity sewers, primary clarifiers, or combined sewer overflows to a level of 10 to 60 mg per liter of dissolved oxygen or higher for odor and corrosion control.
Thus, large cities in the southern part of the United States spend considerable amounts for odor/corrosion control chemicals. For example, Los Angeles County spends nearly twenty (20) million dollars per year on the chemicals alone. Orange County Calif. spends about 2.5 million dollars per year for odor control chemicals such as peroxide and nitrate. Some cities inject gaseous high purity oxygen into force mains, but the low efficiency of oxygen absorption considerably increases the total cost, as well as presents an explosion hazard, because the high purity oxygen bubbles immediately rise out of the wastewater and the high purity oxygen travels along the crown of the sewer and then collects at the first high point when the grade of the pipe becomes negative. This gas space also increases the head on the pump moving water through the system. Therefore, no efficient method of superoxygenating raw municipal wastewater prior to gravity sewers, primary clarifiers, or combined sewer overflows is in use in the art, resulting in the use of costly chemicals to achieve acceptable results. Therefore, a high efficiency method and apparatus for superoxygenating raw wastewater would be beneficial.
Oxygenation has long been recognized as potentially attractive in wastewater operations. However, to make an oxygenation system economically competitive, there should be commensurate savings in energy costs for dissolving the oxygen to offset the costs for the HPO supply. Early oxygenation systems were not able to achieve significant energy reductions for they consumed about half the energy needed to dissolve a unit of oxygen compared to conventional aeration systems.
Municipal wastewater treatment plants themselves can generate offensive odors—with H.sub.2S and mercaptans being perhaps the worst offenders. Odor studies identify the effluent weirs from the primary clarifier as the major source of odor generation for municipal wastewater treatment plants. The root cause for the odor lies in the long detention times of raw wastewater and sludge in the primary clarifier in the absence of D.O.
One prior art approach taken to mitigate such offensive odors at the municipal wastewater treatment plan is to cover the primary clarifier weirs, where the odor is stripped from the primary effluent as it cascades over the effluent weirs, and to withdraw the gas under the cover through ductwork and a blower. This withdrawn gas then must be passed through a caustic chlorine scrubber or biofilter where the odor is oxidized and destroyed. Treatment of the offensive gas in this manner is costly in terms of capital cost as well as the operating costs for caustic and chlorine. Because H.sub.2S is so corrosive the cover and ductwork must be made of corrosion proof material.
Another common approach to mitigating the odor at a wastewater treatment plant is to capture and treat the offensive gases so formed. However, the use of covers on the clarifier or weirs also significantly hinder maintenance. Furthermore, every pound of oxygen consumed in the primary clarifier translates to a 1:1 corresponding reduction of oxygen demand in the aeration tank. Therefore, it is desired to provide an efficient, cost effective system for removal of odors at municipal wastewater treatment plants and at clarifiers.
A major effort is underway in many cities to collect, store and treat combined sewer overflows (CSO). Such systems generally involve the collection of a relatively large volume of CSO in a short period of time and then storing the collected CSO for a protracted period of time—a period of days to weeks—while it is pumped out through a municipal wastewater treatment plant during low flow periods. The very nature of CSO is that it can be significantly polluted in the initial “flush” with BOD concentrations of 50 to over 200 mg/L.
The challenge to meet this oxygen demand for collected CSO is significant with present aeration systems. Further, some particular design considerations emerge. Aeration does not economically permit D.O. increases above 2 to 4 mg/L. In one large Midwestern city, the proposed aeration system designed to keep the stored CSO aerobic consumed from 2000 to 4000 kwhr/ton of O.sub.2 dissolved under the most frequently occurring storage event. Furthermore, the electrical demand charge for the compressors to be turned on for a 30-minute interval twice per year alone is excessive.
If a storage basin receives a CSO storm event flow containing a BOD of 100 mg/L which has a deoxygenation constant, k.sub.1, of 0.1 per day. The D.O. uptake for the first day in this case is 21 mg/L. Because the first day is the highest rate, it establishes the design criteria for sizing the required oxygen transfer system. For a storage basin of 100 MG, the system would require approximately a 700 HP blower for coarse bubble aeration to meet this demand. Therefore, it is desire to provide an aeration system for use with collected CSOs that does not require significant capital investment to achieve appropriate levels of D.O.
Wastewater treatment lagoons commonly are utilized for treatment of industrial and intensive animal rearing wastewaters. However, because these lagoons are commonly anaerobic and generate considerable H.sub.2S, it is not unusual to require $1,000,000 to put a cover on such lagoons and treat the off-gas to mitigate odor generation.
Traditionally, aeration systems have been designed to satisfy activated sludge and aerated lagoon D.O. uptake rates of 20 to 80 mg/L-hr. The development of some of the more advanced aerobic treatment systems which use advanced cell immobilization techniques are capable of ten-fold increases in biomass concentrations. Only a properly designed oxygenation system can meet the exceptionally high oxygen uptake rates of 300 to 500 mg/L-hr inherent in these advanced aerobic processes. It is desired to provide such an oxygenation system.
Regulations requiring that treated effluents be discharged at elevated D.O. concentrations to their receiving waters are specified in some discharge permits. Conventional aeration techniques can achieve this, but do so with by requiring prohibitively high unit energy consumption and are also limited in the D.O. that can be achieved. To increase the D.O. from 0 to 7 mg/L in water at 25.degree. C. requires approximately 2700 kwhr/ton of D.O. added using standard aeration equipment. This is equivalent to over $200/ton of D.O. for electricity rates of $0.08/kwhr. It is therefore desired to provide an aeration system that can be utilized to treat effluents to regulated levels in an energy efficient manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a system and method for treating sewage. The system of the present invention is utilized to treat the main sewage stream or a side stream and results in high oxygen absorption in an energy efficient manner. The method of the present invention involves the use of the system of the present invention to oxygenate either the main sewage stream or a sidestream subsequently reintroduced into the main sewage stream.
In one embodiment, the system comprises a sewage inlet comprising part of the sewage system. The inlet is positioned for receipt and flow of sewage therethrough and has a first end and a second end. The system also comprises a sewage outlet which also comprises part of the sewage system. The outlet is positioned for flow and discharge of sewage therethrough. Additional components of the system include a source of high purity oxygen and an oxygenator. The source of high purity oxygen is operably connected to the sewage inlet between the first and second ends of the sewage inlet and is capable of introducing high purity oxygen into the sewage inlet. The oxygenator has an inlet and an outlet with an inverse conically shaped portion therebetween. The inlet of the oxygenator is operably connected to the second end of the sewage inlet, and the outlet of the oxygenator is operably connected to the first end of the sewage outlet. The inverse conically shaped portion of the oxygenator encourages downflow of oxygen gas including the sewage provided to the oxygenator, such that sewage discharged by the sewage outlet is oxygenated.
In another embodiment of the system of the present invention, connectors having apertures therethrough are connected to a main sewage line, and a pump is position near the first connected to pull a portion of the sewage flowing through the main sewage line into the previously described system.
According to one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a system according to the present invention is provided. Sewage is then allowed to enter the sewage inlet and oxygen gas is introduced from the source of high purity oxygen into the sewage inlet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of one embodiment of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus that allows municipal waste treatment facilities to inhibit corrosive and malodorous chemicals from forming in its gravity collection systems, primary clarifiers, or combined sewer overflows in a sewage system by readily superoxygenating the wastewater to effective levels. In particular, the present invention utilizes a down flow bubble contact oxygenator, which has no internal edges, corners or cracks to snag rags and strings and plug the system. In one embodiment, the down flow bubble contact oxygenator, substantially similar to that disclosed in this inventor’s U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,403 that is hereby incorporated by reference, is used to pump raw municipal wastewater through it, along with gaseous O.sub.2 injection into the chamber to superoxygenate it to 10 mg per liter of dissolved oxygen or higher. In particular, the down flow bubble contact oxygenator is utilized in gravity sewers, primary clarifiers, or combined sewer overflows in a sewage system to superoxygenate wastewater.
According to the present invention, oxygen is completely dissolved in the wastewater in the discharge of the down flow bubble contact oxygenator and is then piped back into the sewage system. For example, by use of the present invention with a six-foot by six-foot square sewer flowing 5 ft. deep, the wastewater can be superoxygenated to 30 mg per liter dissolved oxygen, and only lose about 3 mg per liter of dissolved oxygen after flowing 3 miles in a gravity sewer due to gas exchange at the surface. Since the oxygen is in the dissolved state in the discharge of the down flow bubble contact oxygenator, there are no gaseous bubbles to come out of solution once the water is returned to the collection system or pumped into the primary clarifier. Thus, any hydrogen sulfide flowing into the superoxygenated section is microbially oxidized to sulfate in about 15 to 30 minutes once the wastewater has a positive dissolved oxygen, and no further sulfide production occurs in this three-mile stretch because the dissolved oxygen prevents any further sulfate reduction to hydrogen sulfide.
Wastewater in the interceptors flowing into the head works of a wastewater treatment plant superoxygenated in the manner described above eliminate the great odor and corrosion problems experienced at most wastewater treatment plants due to hydrogen sulfide in the incoming wastewater. Advantages are also realized in other applications of the system of the present invention at various locations in the sewage system.
The system and method of the present invention results in precluding the formation of corrosive and odorous gas at a lower cost (capital investment and energy) with highly efficient oxygen absorption and higher superoxygenated D.O. concentrations than any of the prior art systems. There are also additional benefits to the use of this superoxygenating system according to the present invention. For example, each pound of dissolved oxygen added to the stream of sewage by the system results in 1 lb. of dissolved oxygen saved in secondary treatment. Thus, corrosion control is achieved for no net overall increase in dissolved oxygen as required in secondary treatment. Another significant advantage of the system utilizing the down flow bubble contact oxygenator is the high efficiency of dissolving oxygen results in no off gas stripping of any volatile components in the wastewater. Thus, wastewater containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can be superoxygenated without exacerbating the odor corrosion problem, by stripping it out of solution. Additionally, under the conditions created under the use of this system, there is no need to cover the holding tanks because there is no hydrogen sulfide in the discharge of this toxic wastewater.
Use of a down flow bubble contact aeration apparatus to superoxygenate wastewater in a sewage system, superoxygenates the water to a level which precludes the formation of malodorous and corrosive gases and chemicals. In particular, the use of a down flow bubble contact oxygenator allows superoxygenation of wastewater to an extent not possible under the prior art, greatly reducing stripping of gases and similarly resisting clogging by rags and string endemic to raw wastewater.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic view of one embodiment of the wastewater treatment system of the present invention. As shown, main sewage line 12 is disposed below ground. System 10 may be disposed above or below main sewage line 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, system 10 is above platform 13 as would be case in use with a primary clarifier, for example. If system 10 were used with a gravity sewer, system 10 intake and discharge would be below main sewage line 12. First and second sewer connections 14 and 16, respectively, each comprise an aperture and are made to permit sewage flow to and from system 10. First valve 18 is disposed at first sewer connection 14, and second valve 20 is disposed at second sewer connection 16. First and second valves 18 and 20 are accessible through first and second manhole covers 19 and 21, respectively, on platform 13.
Both first valve 18 and second valve 20 are movable between an open position and a closed position. When first valve 18 is in the closed position, all sewage entering first sewer connection 14 is caused to flow through main sewage line 12. When first valve 18 is in the open position, a portion of sewage entering first sewer connection 14 is permitted to flow through system inlet 22. When second valve 20 is in the closed position, any sewage residing in system outlet 24 is not permitted to enter into main sewage line 12. When second valve 20 is in the open position, any sewage residing in system outlet 24 is permitted to enter into sewage line 12.
In this embodiment, system 10 includes system inlet 22, pump 26, liquid oxygen tank 28, evaporator 30, oxygenator 32, system outlet 24, liquid oxygen connector 36, oxygen gas connector 38, and oxygenator inlet 34. System inlet is connected at its first end to first valve 18, and at its second end to pump 26. Pump 26 is operable to “pull” sewage from system inlet 22 into oxygenator inlet 34. Liquid oxygen tank 28 houses liquid oxygen and evaporator 30 converts liquid oxygen into oxygen gas. Liquid oxygen connector 36 is connected at its first end to liquid oxygen tank 28 and at is second end to evaporator 30. Oxygen gas connector 38 is connected at its first end to evaporator 30 and at its second end to oxygen inlet 33 along oxygenator inlet 34. Oxygenator inlet 34 is connected at its first end to pump 26 and at its second end at oxygenator 32.
In this embodiment, oxygenator 32 is of the shape disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,403. However, unlike the embodiments illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,403, oxygen is not directly inserted within the interior of oxygenator 32. Instead, as explained herein, according to the present invention, oxygen is injected through oxygen inlet 33 into oxygenator inlet 34 and then into oxygenator 32. However, like the embodiments illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,403, oxygenator 32 comprises a flow chamber of uniformly increasing flow area in a downward direction, i.e., comprises conical portion 35. Oxygenator 32 may, or may not, include a power operator impeller means as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,403.
As shown in FIG. 1, the oxygenator comprising a container having an inverse conically shaped portion having a first end and a second end, a cylindrical portion having a first end attached to the second end of the inverse conically shaped portion and a second closed end, an inlet at the first end of the inverse conically shaped portion, and an outlet extending perpendicularly from the cylindrical portion and spaced apart from the second closed end. The oxygenator inlet, the inverse conically shaped portion, and the cylindrical portion coaxially surround a vertical axis and the oxygenator outlet extends perpendicular to the vertical axis. The oxygenator inlet and the oxygenator outlet have a first diameter. The first end of the inverse conically shaped portion also has the first diameter. The second end of the inverse conically shaped portion and the cylindrical portion have a second diameter. The inlet of the oxygenator is operably connected to the second end of the raw sewage inlet and the outlet of the oxygenator is operably connected to the first end of the sewage outlet, such that the combination of sewage and oxygen gas collected in the raw sewage inlet is introduced to the oxygenator through the oxygenator inlet, flows through the oxygenator to the oxygenator outlet and through the sewage outlet, thereby discharging oxygenated sewage containing dissolved oxygen from the oxygenator. The first diameter of the oxygenator inlet and the oxygenator outlet and the first end of the inverse conically shaped portion of the oxygenator is smaller than the second diameter of the second end of the inverse conically shaped portion and the cylindrical portion of the oxygenator.
During operation of system 10, first and second valves 18 and 20, respectively, are placed in the open position to allow a portion of sewage entering main sewage line 12 at first sewer connection 14 to enter system 10 and then to rejoin main sewage line 12 at second sewer connection 16. Pump 22 is operated to “pull” the portion of sewage entering through first valve 18 through system inlet 22 and to push the portion of sewage into oxygenator inlet 34. Liquid oxygen is allowed to flow (due to the pressure in liquid oxygen tank 28) from liquid oxygen tank 28 through liquid oxygen connector 36 into evaporator 30. At evaporator 30, the liquid oxygen is converted to oxygen gas an allowed to flow (due to the pressure in liquid oxygen tank 28) through oxygen gas connector 38 into oxygenator inlet 34 via oxygen inlet 33.
From the point of oxygen inlet 33 to oxygenator 32 along oxygenator inlet 34, oxygen gas injected at oxygen inlet mixes with the sewage flowing through oxygenator inlet 34. The mixture of sewage and oxygen gas enters oxygenator 32. At oxygenator 32, the bubbles of oxygen gas mixed with the sewage are drawn downward toward the bottom of oxygenator 32 and system outlet 24. Thus, the mixture of sewage flowing through system outlet 24 and second valve 20 into main sewage line 12 at second sewer connection 16 is “superoxygenated”. At second sewer connection 16, the superoxygenated mixture joins the portion of sewage that was not drawn into system 10 to oxygenate the entire sewage flowing away from system 10.
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the source of oxygen gas inserted into oxygenator input 34 need not be from liquid oxygen. Instead, oxygen gas itself may be used and be within the scope of the invention. For example, the combination of liquid oxygen tank 27, liquid oxygen connector 36, evaporator 30, and oxygen gas connector 38 may be replaced with a tank of oxygen gas and a connector going from the tank of oxygen gas and oxygen inlet 33.
It will also be appreciated that the system of the present invention may be useful in a variety of applications in a sewage system. While the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrated an embodiment of the system used with a gravity main, the system may also be used with wastewater treatment plants, clarifiers, and combined sewer overflows prior to discharge into receiving waters, such as rivers.
It will be further appreciated that the system of the present invention may be used in the main sewage stream. An alternate embodiment of the present invention introduces the oxygen directly into the main stream rather than a sidestream as illustrated in FIG. 1.
The present invention provides a relatively simple technology to result in efficient dissolution of HPO into raw sewage. The performance of the oxygenation system is, of course, related to the pressure in the superoxygenation transfer vessel, which in FIG. 1 comprises oxygenator 32. For example, a backpressure of 15 psig would permit 100% O.sub.2 absorption in the oxygenation system while producing a discharge D.O. of approximately 50 mg/L. The corresponding maximum discharge D.O. for a backpressure of 45 psig would be 150 mg/L. For example, a 6 ft.times.6 ft sewer flowing 5 ft deep at 3 ft/sec has a reaeration rate (k.sub.2) of about 10/day. Therefore, if the D.O. is raised to 30 mg/L, it can be 86% retained over 3 miles and the head space oxygen content will only rise to a maximum of 22.5% O.sub.2.
Superoxygenation by use of the present invention with primary clarifier influents provides a major advance in odor mitigation technology. The method of prevention of H.sub.2S formation by use of the system of the present invention is a much more comprehensive solution to municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant odors than is gas scrubbing of the H.sub.2S after it is formed or collection of the gas after it is formed.
With regard to combined sewer overflows, oxygenation by use of the present invention is considerably more cost effective than prior art aeration systems. In addition, there are some noteworthy design objectives which can only be achieved with oxygenation by the present invention. Liquid oxygen stored on-site can be utilized to meet the exceptionally high initial oxygen demand of a storm event. Oxygenation by the present invention makes it possible to increase the D.O. in the incoming flows to over 50 mg/L. Since the rate of exchange of a dissolved gas at the interface (k.sub.2) of a storage basin is related to the velocity of the water and wind and inversely proportional to the depth, very little of the superoxygenated D.O. is lost in a stagnant storage basin containing over 10 ft of water. Thus, the super oxygenated D.O. can be kept in solution until it is consumed by the microbiota.
A design was prepared using the present invention for a large Midwestern city which routed the peak CSO flow through the oxygenator of the present invention. This design raised the D.O. in the CSO to 40 mg/L. as it entered the storage basin. The raising of the D.O. forestalls H.sub.2S generation by providing sufficient D.O. to meet the microbial demand for over 2 days without the need for further oxygen supplementation.
If, for some reason, the D.O. becomes depleted from a CSO storage basin with conventional aeration systems, such as may occur by waiting too long to turn on the aeration system, H.sub.2S accumulates. The accumulated H.sub.2S is generally stripped from the water into the air by conventional aeration systems. However, with use of the system of the present invention, the negligible off-gas stripping potential reduces noxious gas stripping accordingly and eliminates the problem of oxygen transfer into septic wastewater.
As previously stated herein wastewater treatment lagoons commonly are utilized for treatment of industrial and intensive animal rearing wastewaters, but because these lagoons are commonly anaerobic and generate considerable H.sub.2S, it is not unusual to require $1,000,000 to put a cover on such lagoons and treat the off-gas to mitigate odor generation. In contrast a properly designed oxygenation system according to the present invention can withdraw a sidestream of the supernatant overlying the anaerobic sludge deposits, add 50 to 100 mg/L of D.O., and return it to the supernatant without disturbing the sludge layer. Using such improved technology it is possible to maintain greater than 10 mg/L of D.O. in the entire supernatant layer, with minimal loss of oxygen to the atmosphere because the aeration rate of stagnant lagoon surfaces is relatively low. Such elevated D.O. concentrations can successfully prevent H.sub.2S formation in the supernatant and also effectively oxidize the low rates of H.sub.2S evolution from the sludge layer.
Traditionally, prior art aeration systems have been designed to satisfy aerated lagoon D.O. uptake rates of 20 to 80 mg/L-hr. The development of some of the more advanced aerobic treatment systems which use advanced cell immobilization techniques are capable of ten-fold increases in biomass concentrations. Only a properly designed oxygenation system, such as the system of the present invention, can meet the exceptionally high oxygen uptake rates of 300 to 500 mg/L-hr inherent in these advanced aerobic processes.
While some prior art systems treat sewage at various points in the sewage system, such prior art systems are not as efficient and effective as the present invention. The present invention is very efficient as over 90% of oxygen gas is absorbed into the sewage stream and very high concentrations of dissolved oxygen are achieved in the sewage discharge. Other advantages of the present invention include: (a) minimization of the stripping of dissolved nitrogen from the sewage when using HPO; and (b) superoxygenation of a side stream initially rather than attempting to aerate the whole wastewater stream. Sometimes 50 to 100 mg/L supersaturation is required to accommodate high accumulative oxygen consumption. Highly superoxygenated side streams incorporated into the HPO treatment design of the present invention proportionately reduce the footprint of oxygen transfer systems as well as allow one time high D.O. additions allowing greater zones of influence in a gravity sewer. For satisfactory prevention of H.sub.2S only a few mg/L of D.O. in excess of the amount consumed in transit need be maintained. This is especially suited to odor/corrosion issues in gravity sewers, primary clarifiers, and combined sewer overflows. For instance, a gravity main superoxygenator can be pressurized to about 40 ft by a pump to superoxygenate the raw sewage to about 70 mg/L D.O. easily and effectively while still keeping the D.O. in solution.
The present invention is also operable to achieve four important characteristics for high oxic conditions in wastewater and storm water conveyance systems. These characteristics include: (a) at least 85% (for example, 90%) efficient oxygen absorption; (b) less than 400 kwhr/ton D.O. low unit energy consumption, and at least less than 1,000 kwhr of energy consumption per ton of D.O.; (c) at least 10 mg/L D.O. levels of superoxygenation (for example, 50 to 100 mg/L D.O. superoxygenation of the sidestream); and (d) effective retention of high D.O. concentrations in solution throughout treatment.
As set forth herein, the present invention has a myriad of applications in treatment of sewage. These include: (a) combating H.sub.2S formation in gravity sewers; (b) maintenance of aerobic conditions throughout the primary clarifier for odor control; (c) maintenance of aerobic conditions in combined sewer overflow (CSO) storage tunnels and basins; and (d) achieving D.O. uptake rates of greater than 300 mg/L-hr in advanced aerobic processes with mixed liquor suspended solids (MLVSS) concentrations exceeding 20,000 mg/L volatile suspended solids (VSS).
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of these invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the detailed embodiments are illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the invention comprises all such embodiments as may come within the scope and spirit of the invention and equivalents thereto.
* * * * *
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Hounslow Council issues odour abatement notice in bud to stop Mogden sewage works stench
The owners of Mogden sewage works are being slapped with a legal order to stop unsavoury smells that “blighted” the lives of the site’s neighbours.
Hounslow Council agreed to “up the ante” on Thames Water by issuing an odour abatement notice - which would force an obligation on the company to tackle strong stenches smelt by hundreds of neighbouring residents.
At a meeting of the council’s executive on Tuesday, Councillor Jonathan Hardy blamed “a whole list of management failures”, including spills, leaks and problems surrounding Mogden’s odour control unit, as reasons for making the order.
The decision came less than 24 hours after senior managers from Thames Water promised Vince Cable MP that they were in engaged in urgent engineering works on two separate defects at Mogden, which have caused a bad smell lasting for days.
Council leader Peter Thompson, said: “We actually want to work with Thames Water - we have tried in the past and I think it’s time to up the ante a little bit.
“It’s not an action that we have taken lightly.
“I think it is about time we actually began to more vigorously champion residents’ rights to have a decent quality of life.”
He added that the lives of residents “have been blighted and hindered” by smells coming from the site.
Coun Pamela Fisher said: “Despite their millions of pounds that they have supposedly invested we are still almost at the same stage we were seven years ago.”
Dr Cable, Twickenham’s MP, promised that if the recent problem was not solved soon he would “apply more pressure” by organising a Parliamentary debate.
A spokeswoman for Thames Water said the company was yet to receive any odour abatement notice.
She said: “We have had no consultation with the council on this and will need to look carefully at the notice before making any response.”
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 states that, where a local authority is satisfied that a “statutory nuisance” exists, or is likely to occur or recur, it can serve an abatement notice.
Earlier this year Hounslow Council approved plans by Thames Water to expand Mogden, which will allow the sewage works to increase its capacity by 40 per cent.
Hounslow Council agreed to “up the ante” on Thames Water by issuing an odour abatement notice - which would force an obligation on the company to tackle strong stenches smelt by hundreds of neighbouring residents.
At a meeting of the council’s executive on Tuesday, Councillor Jonathan Hardy blamed “a whole list of management failures”, including spills, leaks and problems surrounding Mogden’s odour control unit, as reasons for making the order.
The decision came less than 24 hours after senior managers from Thames Water promised Vince Cable MP that they were in engaged in urgent engineering works on two separate defects at Mogden, which have caused a bad smell lasting for days.
Council leader Peter Thompson, said: “We actually want to work with Thames Water - we have tried in the past and I think it’s time to up the ante a little bit.
“It’s not an action that we have taken lightly.
“I think it is about time we actually began to more vigorously champion residents’ rights to have a decent quality of life.”
He added that the lives of residents “have been blighted and hindered” by smells coming from the site.
Coun Pamela Fisher said: “Despite their millions of pounds that they have supposedly invested we are still almost at the same stage we were seven years ago.”
Dr Cable, Twickenham’s MP, promised that if the recent problem was not solved soon he would “apply more pressure” by organising a Parliamentary debate.
A spokeswoman for Thames Water said the company was yet to receive any odour abatement notice.
She said: “We have had no consultation with the council on this and will need to look carefully at the notice before making any response.”
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 states that, where a local authority is satisfied that a “statutory nuisance” exists, or is likely to occur or recur, it can serve an abatement notice.
Earlier this year Hounslow Council approved plans by Thames Water to expand Mogden, which will allow the sewage works to increase its capacity by 40 per cent.
Organics Plant Temporary Smell
The Organics Plant in Bromley has been giving off a spicy vinegary odour following a trial mixing the odour free compost produced from kerbside green bin waste and other material brought in from an external source.
Living Earth and Christchurch City Council are working to reduce the odour as quickly as possible.
Mark Christison, Christchurch City Council City Water and Waste Unit Manager says: "Living Earth are undertaking a number of measures to resolve the odour issue. The Council and Living Earth are very disappointed with the creation of this odour. The contractor will be doing everything possible to rectify the situation as soon as possible". George Fietje, Living Earth General Manager says, "The Organics Plant was specifically designed using state- of- art oven technology to reduce all odours. This temporary odour is very unusual and we're treating it very seriously".
"To reduce the odour we placed material with no odour over the piles of compost that smell".
"We are also using deodorising sprays on the windrows, and are installing a neutraliser system on the south-western boundary of the plant within the next few days that will remove any odour from the predominant air flow we experience at this time of year".
"Living Earth are taking every step to rectify this situation", says Mr Fietje.
Living Earth and Christchurch City Council are working to reduce the odour as quickly as possible.
Mark Christison, Christchurch City Council City Water and Waste Unit Manager says: "Living Earth are undertaking a number of measures to resolve the odour issue. The Council and Living Earth are very disappointed with the creation of this odour. The contractor will be doing everything possible to rectify the situation as soon as possible". George Fietje, Living Earth General Manager says, "The Organics Plant was specifically designed using state- of- art oven technology to reduce all odours. This temporary odour is very unusual and we're treating it very seriously".
"To reduce the odour we placed material with no odour over the piles of compost that smell".
"We are also using deodorising sprays on the windrows, and are installing a neutraliser system on the south-western boundary of the plant within the next few days that will remove any odour from the predominant air flow we experience at this time of year".
"Living Earth are taking every step to rectify this situation", says Mr Fietje.
Odour in bay coming from sewer manhole
Former Timaru resident Megan Waghorn is happy to see Caroline Bay has been redeveloped, but she is horrified a sewer manhole is ruining its appeal by creating an intermittent odour.
There is a problem hanging around Timaru like a bad smell - and that is just what it is.
It appears to be most noticeable in the area just in front of the whale pot at the northern entrance to Caroline Bay.
This is not the first time Timaru residents have complained about an odour.
A series of articles appeared in The Courier in May last year, in which many Timaru residents spoke of a smell lingering around the business district.
The source of the smell was never confirmed.
This time the cause is known and there is a clear solution.
Timaru District Council district services manager Ashley Harper, of Timaru, said a sewer manhole was causing the intermittent smell.
He said the smell had been in the area for about two years, the time it had taken to make the new sewer.
"The smell comes and goes. It's because we're re-laying the sewer."
By the end of January the new sewer would be finished and the smell would disappear, he said.
Former Timaru resident Megan Waghorn was disappointed to notice the smell upon her return to Timaru recently.
She was delighted with the redevelopment of Caroline Bay, but said the odour negated the improvement it had made to the area.
"The new, beautiful sign welcomes people and the smell ruins it. I don't think anyone would want to come back [to the north entrance area]."
Ms Waghorn was in Timaru for a two-week holiday.
She had lived in Timaru for eight years, but six months ago she moved to Australia.
She described the smell as revolting and off-putting.
Ms Waghorn said there was no use beautifying Caroline Bay when an ongoing odour problem was still lingering.
"You can see they are trying to modernise the area and get more tourists in, but they need to fix that problem first.
"When people think of the place, they will think of that horrible smell and they won't want to come back. It's pretty otherwise."
Environment Canterbury (Ecan) senior enforcement officer Lance Corcoran, of Timaru, said in principle odours were dealt with by Ecan, but if sewage caused an odour it should be dealt with by the council.
He said if a complaint had been made about the smell it would have been investigated immediately.
"What a pity [Ms Waghorn] didn't ring us. People need to contact us, otherwise we have no opportunity to be involved."
There is a problem hanging around Timaru like a bad smell - and that is just what it is.
It appears to be most noticeable in the area just in front of the whale pot at the northern entrance to Caroline Bay.
This is not the first time Timaru residents have complained about an odour.
A series of articles appeared in The Courier in May last year, in which many Timaru residents spoke of a smell lingering around the business district.
The source of the smell was never confirmed.
This time the cause is known and there is a clear solution.
Timaru District Council district services manager Ashley Harper, of Timaru, said a sewer manhole was causing the intermittent smell.
He said the smell had been in the area for about two years, the time it had taken to make the new sewer.
"The smell comes and goes. It's because we're re-laying the sewer."
By the end of January the new sewer would be finished and the smell would disappear, he said.
Former Timaru resident Megan Waghorn was disappointed to notice the smell upon her return to Timaru recently.
She was delighted with the redevelopment of Caroline Bay, but said the odour negated the improvement it had made to the area.
"The new, beautiful sign welcomes people and the smell ruins it. I don't think anyone would want to come back [to the north entrance area]."
Ms Waghorn was in Timaru for a two-week holiday.
She had lived in Timaru for eight years, but six months ago she moved to Australia.
She described the smell as revolting and off-putting.
Ms Waghorn said there was no use beautifying Caroline Bay when an ongoing odour problem was still lingering.
"You can see they are trying to modernise the area and get more tourists in, but they need to fix that problem first.
"When people think of the place, they will think of that horrible smell and they won't want to come back. It's pretty otherwise."
Environment Canterbury (Ecan) senior enforcement officer Lance Corcoran, of Timaru, said in principle odours were dealt with by Ecan, but if sewage caused an odour it should be dealt with by the council.
He said if a complaint had been made about the smell it would have been investigated immediately.
"What a pity [Ms Waghorn] didn't ring us. People need to contact us, otherwise we have no opportunity to be involved."
Curb Braeside Quarry asphalt plant noise, odour, say neighbours
Member explains residents'fears regarding a temporary asphalt plant in the Braeside Quarry to McNab-Braeside council. john carter
"We hope council will take steps to remove this danger from our midst."
A delegation of about 15 people living near the Braeside Quarry shared their anger about emissions from the temporary asphalt plant with McNab-Braeside councillors Nov. 10.
In a presentation to the township’s planning advisory committee, Mark Popiel, speaking for the residents group FACT-MB, urged council to take action to curb noise and smells coming from the plant.
“Stop the abuse,” he said. “Some of your constituents are suffering. We fear for our personal health and safety.
“We hope council will take steps to remove this danger from our midst.”
At the end of the meeting, which was also attended by representatives of the quarry owners (Miller Paving), several residents asked what council could do about the plant, which they maintain is adversely affecting their lifestyle and threatening aquifer water quality.
While stressing that environmental issues are the jurisdiction of the provincial ministry of environment, councillors did say they will direct their bylaw enforcement officer Jim McBain to investigate possible noise and Sunday operation violations, which are covered by a township bylaw.
Residents complained that although the township has indicated to the MOE its noise bylaw prohibits Sunday opening, the plant was operating on at least one Sunday (Oct. 18). Noise violators can be fined up to $1,000.
Popiel charged the noise and odour from the asphalt plant is preventing people living nearby from sleeping and socializing outside. He said residents are frustrated because the MOE is not enforcing the company’s certificate of approval or responding to neighbours’ complaints.
While the MOE says most asphalt plants are located in quarries, it isn’t taking into account the Braeside quarry is unique, Popiel said. The surrounding geology means any spills at the quarry will flow into nearby wells, he added
Mayor Mary Campbell, who had toured the quarry with other councillors earlier in the day, asked what Miller would have to do to satisfy neighbours’ concerns. There are ways to cut down on the noise, she noted.
“I can’t see how you can make this safe,” said Popiel. “It (quarry) is not a safe place to locate a bakery, let alone an asphalt plant. It’s probably the worst place … putting chemicals and blasting together is like … gas and fire.”
Several residents picked up on that theme, with Mike Battison arguing having an asphalt plant “practically sitting in our backyards” is a “recipe for disaster.” The setbacks are “ludicrous,” he said.
Coun. Jim McGregor said the residents have legitimate concerns, but they seem to be beyond council’s control and areas of expertise. Campbell agreed, but said it is council’s role to seek out solutions to problems affecting its ratepayers. “Asking questions for ratepayers, that’s our job,” she said.
Campbell said it is frustrating that residents are coming up against contradictory policies and regulations. While the ministry of natural resources identifies the threats to the area’s environment, Miller’s is likely in compliance with MOE regulations, she said.
She suggested the township call on the ministry of municipal affairs for advice on how to interpret the various regulations. Council needs to know its options in its efforts to ensure rights of both industry and residents are protected, she said.
Township CAO Noreen Mellema suggested that residents should continue to direct their environomental complaints to the MOE and said that council could ask the ministry for its compliance reports being made in response to residents’ complaints.
“Are you telling us that if people are getting fumes and exhaust and can’t go outside, the township can’t do anything?” asked Tara Teske.
“The MOE looks after the environmental concerns … we can’t overrule them,” said Deputy Mayor Elmer Raycroft. However, “I hope you work with us (to try to resolve) the issue,” he added.
Marybeth Pidgeon said residents realize there are multiple layers of jurisdiction, but they wanted all councillors to realize what they are going through. The township should do something about the plant operating on Sundays, she added.
Jennifer Lapierre urged council to post the noise bylaw on the website and tighten up the process of logging complaints.
Sean Burton said council should realize the plant is causing “big problems” and take that into account when dealing with the company’s application for a permanent asphalt plant.
"We hope council will take steps to remove this danger from our midst."
A delegation of about 15 people living near the Braeside Quarry shared their anger about emissions from the temporary asphalt plant with McNab-Braeside councillors Nov. 10.
In a presentation to the township’s planning advisory committee, Mark Popiel, speaking for the residents group FACT-MB, urged council to take action to curb noise and smells coming from the plant.
“Stop the abuse,” he said. “Some of your constituents are suffering. We fear for our personal health and safety.
“We hope council will take steps to remove this danger from our midst.”
At the end of the meeting, which was also attended by representatives of the quarry owners (Miller Paving), several residents asked what council could do about the plant, which they maintain is adversely affecting their lifestyle and threatening aquifer water quality.
While stressing that environmental issues are the jurisdiction of the provincial ministry of environment, councillors did say they will direct their bylaw enforcement officer Jim McBain to investigate possible noise and Sunday operation violations, which are covered by a township bylaw.
Residents complained that although the township has indicated to the MOE its noise bylaw prohibits Sunday opening, the plant was operating on at least one Sunday (Oct. 18). Noise violators can be fined up to $1,000.
Popiel charged the noise and odour from the asphalt plant is preventing people living nearby from sleeping and socializing outside. He said residents are frustrated because the MOE is not enforcing the company’s certificate of approval or responding to neighbours’ complaints.
While the MOE says most asphalt plants are located in quarries, it isn’t taking into account the Braeside quarry is unique, Popiel said. The surrounding geology means any spills at the quarry will flow into nearby wells, he added
Mayor Mary Campbell, who had toured the quarry with other councillors earlier in the day, asked what Miller would have to do to satisfy neighbours’ concerns. There are ways to cut down on the noise, she noted.
“I can’t see how you can make this safe,” said Popiel. “It (quarry) is not a safe place to locate a bakery, let alone an asphalt plant. It’s probably the worst place … putting chemicals and blasting together is like … gas and fire.”
Several residents picked up on that theme, with Mike Battison arguing having an asphalt plant “practically sitting in our backyards” is a “recipe for disaster.” The setbacks are “ludicrous,” he said.
Coun. Jim McGregor said the residents have legitimate concerns, but they seem to be beyond council’s control and areas of expertise. Campbell agreed, but said it is council’s role to seek out solutions to problems affecting its ratepayers. “Asking questions for ratepayers, that’s our job,” she said.
Campbell said it is frustrating that residents are coming up against contradictory policies and regulations. While the ministry of natural resources identifies the threats to the area’s environment, Miller’s is likely in compliance with MOE regulations, she said.
She suggested the township call on the ministry of municipal affairs for advice on how to interpret the various regulations. Council needs to know its options in its efforts to ensure rights of both industry and residents are protected, she said.
Township CAO Noreen Mellema suggested that residents should continue to direct their environomental complaints to the MOE and said that council could ask the ministry for its compliance reports being made in response to residents’ complaints.
“Are you telling us that if people are getting fumes and exhaust and can’t go outside, the township can’t do anything?” asked Tara Teske.
“The MOE looks after the environmental concerns … we can’t overrule them,” said Deputy Mayor Elmer Raycroft. However, “I hope you work with us (to try to resolve) the issue,” he added.
Marybeth Pidgeon said residents realize there are multiple layers of jurisdiction, but they wanted all councillors to realize what they are going through. The township should do something about the plant operating on Sundays, she added.
Jennifer Lapierre urged council to post the noise bylaw on the website and tighten up the process of logging complaints.
Sean Burton said council should realize the plant is causing “big problems” and take that into account when dealing with the company’s application for a permanent asphalt plant.
Stench fuels call to tackle tip waste BY LAURA LUVARA
PEOPLE living close to the Tullamarine landfill were last week plagued by a foul smell they believe is emanating from the former dump.
The latest complaints came as frustrated residents called a public meeting to keep the community informed about what is happening at Tullamarine Landfill Advisory Committee meetings, which have been closed to the general public.
The next committee meeting will be held today. Panel members - including representatives from landfill operators Transpacific Industries (TPI) - will address the issue of LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquids) on the site.
This substance consists of deadly chemicals, including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and heavy metals. The committee meeting will be followed by a public meeting on November 24.
Terminate Tullamarine Toxic Dump Action Group president Kaylene Wilson said she rushed to investigate the smell on Friday after receiving a call from a resident.
"I drove straight up to the dump when the resident rang me and I could smell it too, so it's not a figment of our imagination.
"I called the Environmental Protection Authority and within hours there was someone there, but they said the smell was not coming from the dump."
TPI has indicated it may consider developing a "tank farm" to store LNAPL, but Ms Wilson said this would happen "over my dead body".
The tanks would store the extracted LNAPL and release gas pressure through valves intermittently.
"If they do that they might as well open up the dump for everyone and let all the gases out - that stuff is deadly."
EPA Victoria spokeswoman Ruth Ward said it had recently received only one complaint of odour relating to the landfill.
"In the last three months, EPA has received one report, via our pollution watchline, of odour allegedly from the closed Tullamarine landfill," she said.
"EPA officers did not detect any odours in the area around the landfill. The officers then inspected the landfill and assessed the most likely cause of odours, including leachate ponds, landfill cells and bin storage areas, and found no major odour source."
Western Region Environment Group chairman Harry Van Moorst said the most recent document released by TPI providing information about LNAPL was "misleading" when it described the substance as being largely a mixture of degraded waste.
"The reality is it has well above EPA safety levels of PCBs in it and contaminants and it's so highly contaminated no facility in Victoria is licensed to treat or dispose of it."
TPI landfill manager Phil Carbins did not respond to a Hume Weekly request for comments by deadline.
The public meeting starts at 7.30pm on November 24 at the Hume Global Learning Centre, Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows.
The latest complaints came as frustrated residents called a public meeting to keep the community informed about what is happening at Tullamarine Landfill Advisory Committee meetings, which have been closed to the general public.
The next committee meeting will be held today. Panel members - including representatives from landfill operators Transpacific Industries (TPI) - will address the issue of LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquids) on the site.
This substance consists of deadly chemicals, including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and heavy metals. The committee meeting will be followed by a public meeting on November 24.
Terminate Tullamarine Toxic Dump Action Group president Kaylene Wilson said she rushed to investigate the smell on Friday after receiving a call from a resident.
"I drove straight up to the dump when the resident rang me and I could smell it too, so it's not a figment of our imagination.
"I called the Environmental Protection Authority and within hours there was someone there, but they said the smell was not coming from the dump."
TPI has indicated it may consider developing a "tank farm" to store LNAPL, but Ms Wilson said this would happen "over my dead body".
The tanks would store the extracted LNAPL and release gas pressure through valves intermittently.
"If they do that they might as well open up the dump for everyone and let all the gases out - that stuff is deadly."
EPA Victoria spokeswoman Ruth Ward said it had recently received only one complaint of odour relating to the landfill.
"In the last three months, EPA has received one report, via our pollution watchline, of odour allegedly from the closed Tullamarine landfill," she said.
"EPA officers did not detect any odours in the area around the landfill. The officers then inspected the landfill and assessed the most likely cause of odours, including leachate ponds, landfill cells and bin storage areas, and found no major odour source."
Western Region Environment Group chairman Harry Van Moorst said the most recent document released by TPI providing information about LNAPL was "misleading" when it described the substance as being largely a mixture of degraded waste.
"The reality is it has well above EPA safety levels of PCBs in it and contaminants and it's so highly contaminated no facility in Victoria is licensed to treat or dispose of it."
TPI landfill manager Phil Carbins did not respond to a Hume Weekly request for comments by deadline.
The public meeting starts at 7.30pm on November 24 at the Hume Global Learning Centre, Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Cat Urine Odour Removal or the best way to help your cat
One of the toughest tasks, when you care for a cat, is the Cat Urine Removal clean up job and it is the cat urine odour removal that is perhaps one of the most unpleasant.
I have the great fortune of having six children.
My older four children have all left home and are all living their own lives in extraordinary ways. They are all wonderful people doing amazing things - but I must tell you these tales another day.
We have always had pets - all sorts - we have had a parrot named Charlie, and another green ringed neck parrot named Bolo. Once when we were in living in Florida we even had a tiny little hand reared bird that the kids called "Garuda Peep Peep Tweet Tweet".
My older daughter has taken care of several rabbits, a family of ducks, all sorts of mice, rats and of course cats. We have had so many kittens and cats that I cannot remember their names - the kids can though - they remember all of them.
Now my oldest daughter has her own family - and a cats - and now her two children are growing up with pets of their own.
The circle of life goes on - doesn't it!
We must remember that cats are probably one of the easiest pets to take care of and therefore one of the most popular.
Occasionally though they can be a problem with them peeing indoors where they are not supposed to.
It is all very well having a litter box for the kittens but they don't always use it.
So what do you do?
I know that I used to get cross and fustrated and would clean like mad to try and get rid of that really nasty smell. But that was years ago.
We now have just one cat the and you can see him here with one of my younger sons.
The boys have called him Tom and he means so much them - they love him to bits.
Guess what... I don't have to worry about Tom peeing inside any more - Because about 6 months ago I found this neat cat website all aboutCat Urine Removal.
You'll find all sorts of useful information about taking care of cats but particularly I discovered...
what to do if they pee where they are not supposed to.
I have the great fortune of having six children.
My older four children have all left home and are all living their own lives in extraordinary ways. They are all wonderful people doing amazing things - but I must tell you these tales another day.
We have always had pets - all sorts - we have had a parrot named Charlie, and another green ringed neck parrot named Bolo. Once when we were in living in Florida we even had a tiny little hand reared bird that the kids called "Garuda Peep Peep Tweet Tweet".
My older daughter has taken care of several rabbits, a family of ducks, all sorts of mice, rats and of course cats. We have had so many kittens and cats that I cannot remember their names - the kids can though - they remember all of them.
Now my oldest daughter has her own family - and a cats - and now her two children are growing up with pets of their own.
The circle of life goes on - doesn't it!
We must remember that cats are probably one of the easiest pets to take care of and therefore one of the most popular.
Occasionally though they can be a problem with them peeing indoors where they are not supposed to.
It is all very well having a litter box for the kittens but they don't always use it.
So what do you do?
I know that I used to get cross and fustrated and would clean like mad to try and get rid of that really nasty smell. But that was years ago.
We now have just one cat the and you can see him here with one of my younger sons.
The boys have called him Tom and he means so much them - they love him to bits.
Guess what... I don't have to worry about Tom peeing inside any more - Because about 6 months ago I found this neat cat website all aboutCat Urine Removal.
You'll find all sorts of useful information about taking care of cats but particularly I discovered...
what to do if they pee where they are not supposed to.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Theories of Odor and Odor Measurement (Unknown Binding)
Theories of Odor and Odor Measurement (Unknown Binding)
objective odor measurement has been developed in terms of a possible theory of olfaction. Starting from accepted ideas concerning the structure and composition of the nerve cell membrane and the composition of the mucus, possible mechanisms of olfaction are advanced. Any odor-carrying substance must make physical contact with the interior part of the nose. Whether the mucous membrane is "punctured" by the odoriferous substance, or absorption by the mucus produces a change in the state of polarization of the membrane and induces firing, is still open to experimental verification. The authors review current theories of olfaction and some physical models of the olfactory apparatus.
objective odor measurement has been developed in terms of a possible theory of olfaction. Starting from accepted ideas concerning the structure and composition of the nerve cell membrane and the composition of the mucus, possible mechanisms of olfaction are advanced. Any odor-carrying substance must make physical contact with the interior part of the nose. Whether the mucous membrane is "punctured" by the odoriferous substance, or absorption by the mucus produces a change in the state of polarization of the membrane and induces firing, is still open to experimental verification. The authors review current theories of olfaction and some physical models of the olfactory apparatus.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Troqueer residents pong misery ends
TROQUEER residents in Dumfries can look forward to the end of more than 20 years of stinking misery as the latest phase of a £10 million project to upgrade a waste water treatment works has been completed.
Scottish Water’s investment at the plant will increase the treatment capacity, provide a new sludge treatment system and reduce odours – putting an end to years of misery for locals who had to live with a lingering pong.
One resident, Tom Irvine, who campaigned for an upgrade of the ageing plant, said: “There has certainly been a big improvement since the work was carried out. I’ve lived here for more than 50 years and the smell was horrendous at times.
“With the amount of money that’s been spent carrying out the work, there’s no reason why we should have to put up with a smell like that again. I really hope it’s gone for good.”
The existing odour control system is water-based and can be affected by changes in temperature. The new system will treat odours arising from the new enclosed treatment facility by venting these through biological treatment filters, reducing odour.
Dr Elaine Murray MSP, who has received numerous complaints from residents over the years, visited the site to see he project’s progress.
She said: “Over the years, Scottish Water has made a variety of changes to the Troqueer treatment works in an effort to improve odour control and reduce the nuisance to people living in nearby houses.
“I am delighted that the latest changes in the design of the plant will not only make the control of odours much less sensitive to changes in weather conditions but will almost double the capacity of the works. This means that developments in Dumfries will not in the foreseeable future be limited by waste water treatment capacity as it has on occasions in the past.
“A very positive benefit of the new plant from an environmental point of view is that sludge – the majority of which previously went to landfill – can now be sterilised and safely used for soil improvement and as a valuable fertiliser.”
The works treats the population equivalent of 30,000 – the investment means this total will climb to 50,000. The new Dumfries College which recently moved to the Crichton campus is served by the works.
Dominic Flanagan, project manager for Scottish Water Solutions, said: “The project has been progressing smoothly and we have been keeping the community informed by briefing local councillors and sending letters to local residents. We are keeping work at the site to daylight hours and moving traffic in and out of the site at non-peak times.”
Scottish Water’s investment at the plant will increase the treatment capacity, provide a new sludge treatment system and reduce odours – putting an end to years of misery for locals who had to live with a lingering pong.
One resident, Tom Irvine, who campaigned for an upgrade of the ageing plant, said: “There has certainly been a big improvement since the work was carried out. I’ve lived here for more than 50 years and the smell was horrendous at times.
“With the amount of money that’s been spent carrying out the work, there’s no reason why we should have to put up with a smell like that again. I really hope it’s gone for good.”
The existing odour control system is water-based and can be affected by changes in temperature. The new system will treat odours arising from the new enclosed treatment facility by venting these through biological treatment filters, reducing odour.
Dr Elaine Murray MSP, who has received numerous complaints from residents over the years, visited the site to see he project’s progress.
She said: “Over the years, Scottish Water has made a variety of changes to the Troqueer treatment works in an effort to improve odour control and reduce the nuisance to people living in nearby houses.
“I am delighted that the latest changes in the design of the plant will not only make the control of odours much less sensitive to changes in weather conditions but will almost double the capacity of the works. This means that developments in Dumfries will not in the foreseeable future be limited by waste water treatment capacity as it has on occasions in the past.
“A very positive benefit of the new plant from an environmental point of view is that sludge – the majority of which previously went to landfill – can now be sterilised and safely used for soil improvement and as a valuable fertiliser.”
The works treats the population equivalent of 30,000 – the investment means this total will climb to 50,000. The new Dumfries College which recently moved to the Crichton campus is served by the works.
Dominic Flanagan, project manager for Scottish Water Solutions, said: “The project has been progressing smoothly and we have been keeping the community informed by briefing local councillors and sending letters to local residents. We are keeping work at the site to daylight hours and moving traffic in and out of the site at non-peak times.”
Anotec fight range of air quality problems
People who invest in a dehumidifier are often able to hold off the respiratory and other health problems brought on by mold exposure. However, this is just one of many indoor air quality problems that can affect the typical home.
For example, the Environmental Protection Agency recently announced its latest "changeout" effort, where residents of a specified area are encouraged to trade in their old, less efficient woodstoves in favor of cleaner new models, or alternatives such as natural gas heating systems.
So far, the EPA's efforts have resulted in the replacement of about 13,000 old wood stoves, preventing the release of about 250 tons of fine-particle emissions.
Such pollution isn't confined to just rural areas that tend to depend more on woodstoves. Any place with heavy traffic and industrial activity can be prone to particulate matter pollution, which can enter a home through open windows and even attached to clothing.
With that in mind, an air purifying product that does more than a dehumidifier may be the best option for many homeowners interested in maintaining a solid level of indoor air quality.
For example, the Environmental Protection Agency recently announced its latest "changeout" effort, where residents of a specified area are encouraged to trade in their old, less efficient woodstoves in favor of cleaner new models, or alternatives such as natural gas heating systems.
So far, the EPA's efforts have resulted in the replacement of about 13,000 old wood stoves, preventing the release of about 250 tons of fine-particle emissions.
Such pollution isn't confined to just rural areas that tend to depend more on woodstoves. Any place with heavy traffic and industrial activity can be prone to particulate matter pollution, which can enter a home through open windows and even attached to clothing.
With that in mind, an air purifying product that does more than a dehumidifier may be the best option for many homeowners interested in maintaining a solid level of indoor air quality.
Factory to emit less toxic substance
LOWER PROVIDENCE — Superior Tube has applied for permission to increase the amount of volatile organic compounds it emits from its Germantown Pike plant.
However, the substance being emitted remains far less dangerous than the recognized carcinogen the company used previously, according to state regulators.
In fact, according to Lynda Rebarchak, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Southeast office in Norristown, the requested increase of nine tons per year is a direct result of the company's decision last year to completely abandon trichloroethylene, or TCE, in its industrial processes.
In order to give up on TCE, the company had to spend about $100,000 to change over its equipment and use a different chemical, called n-propyl bromide, or nPB for short, in order to degrease the tubes it manufactures there.
Like TCE, nPB is considered a "volatile organic compound," or VOC.
But more significantly, nPB is not considered "a hazardous air pollutant," a category which, as a recognized carcinogen, TCE falls squarely into.
"To us, it's a big distinction" between TCE and nPB said Rebarchak.
After several months of operation, the company discovered it needed to use more nPB than it had originally estimated. However, the increase Superior Tube is seeking remains far below the limit set by the plant's overall permit, said Rebarchak.
In addition to a permit for the plant's overall emissions, Rebarchak explained, the DEP also requires permits for each individual machine that emits pollutants.
In May, Superior Tube applied for permission to increase nPB emissions from two of its machines. Although the requested increase adds up to nine tons, Rebarchak said it will remain far below the overall 166 tons the facility is allowed to emit into the air.
Following on the heels of a 2,400 TCE spill on July 10, 2007, an accident which cost the company a
$35,000 fine from the state, Superior Tube began moving toward eliminating the substance completely from its procedures.
Last February, it announced the change.
The change was significant because of the elevated levels of TCE being measured in the air in the Collegeville-Trappe area at the time.
In addition to Superior Tube, the Accellent Plant in Trappe — once known as Universal Tube — is also located in the area. Accellent still uses TCE as a de-greaser, but has installed carbon filters which sharply cut back on the amount that escapes into the area.
Since the two companies — once among the largest TCE emitters in the nation — had made the changes, the DEP began seeing TCE levels in the region's air continue to drop.
By comparison, nPB is considered much less dangerous than TCE.
According to the Federal Register listing on May 30, 2007, nPB is a "nonflammable organic solvent with a strong odor."
The Environmental Protection Agency, which studied the chemical, determined "nPB can be used (as a TCE alternative) with no substantial increase in overall risk to human health and the environment."
The EPA also determined nPB is "less persistent in the environment than many solvents," is less toxic to aquatic life than TCE and does not "bioaccumulate," meaning its concentrations do not rise as it moves up the food chain.
None of which is true of TCE, which the EPA considers to be a "potential carcinogen" and which the state of California considers to be cancer causing.
Which is not to say nPB poses no risk. According to the Federal Register listing, some studies have suggested "severe, possibly irreversible neurological effects from exposure at sustained concentrations of 100 parts per million or greater."
Other studies suggested a possible connection between nPB and menstrual disorders and sperm motility; however the EPA did not find any of those studies to be conclusive.
In fact, in issuing the current nPB rules, EPA dropped a proposed exposure limit of 25 parts per million suggested in its draft regulations.
"We believe that proper use of nPB in solvent cleaning would not pose measurable risks to the general population," the EPA wrote last year.
However, some local leaders want a public hearing to air out the issue.
Supervisor Rick Brown said he would urge the supervisors to comment on the proposed change and formally ask the DEP for a public hearing on the matter.
"They are planning to put more than nine tons of volatile organic compounds into the air," Brown said. "We need to find out how this will affect people."
Brown said seven neighbors of the plant had told him they want to have a public hearing.
Should no public hearing be held, Rebarchak said a decision on Superior's request would probably not come before "mid-December, depending on how many comments are received."
A complete copy of Superior's application is available for public review at DEP's Southeastern Regional Office, 2 E. Main St., Norristown.
Written comments or requests for a public hearing should be made to Francine Carlini, Regional manager Air Quality Department, Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Regional Office, 2 E. Main St., Norristown, PA 19401.
However, the substance being emitted remains far less dangerous than the recognized carcinogen the company used previously, according to state regulators.
In fact, according to Lynda Rebarchak, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Southeast office in Norristown, the requested increase of nine tons per year is a direct result of the company's decision last year to completely abandon trichloroethylene, or TCE, in its industrial processes.
In order to give up on TCE, the company had to spend about $100,000 to change over its equipment and use a different chemical, called n-propyl bromide, or nPB for short, in order to degrease the tubes it manufactures there.
Like TCE, nPB is considered a "volatile organic compound," or VOC.
But more significantly, nPB is not considered "a hazardous air pollutant," a category which, as a recognized carcinogen, TCE falls squarely into.
"To us, it's a big distinction" between TCE and nPB said Rebarchak.
After several months of operation, the company discovered it needed to use more nPB than it had originally estimated. However, the increase Superior Tube is seeking remains far below the limit set by the plant's overall permit, said Rebarchak.
In addition to a permit for the plant's overall emissions, Rebarchak explained, the DEP also requires permits for each individual machine that emits pollutants.
In May, Superior Tube applied for permission to increase nPB emissions from two of its machines. Although the requested increase adds up to nine tons, Rebarchak said it will remain far below the overall 166 tons the facility is allowed to emit into the air.
Following on the heels of a 2,400 TCE spill on July 10, 2007, an accident which cost the company a
$35,000 fine from the state, Superior Tube began moving toward eliminating the substance completely from its procedures.
Last February, it announced the change.
The change was significant because of the elevated levels of TCE being measured in the air in the Collegeville-Trappe area at the time.
In addition to Superior Tube, the Accellent Plant in Trappe — once known as Universal Tube — is also located in the area. Accellent still uses TCE as a de-greaser, but has installed carbon filters which sharply cut back on the amount that escapes into the area.
Since the two companies — once among the largest TCE emitters in the nation — had made the changes, the DEP began seeing TCE levels in the region's air continue to drop.
By comparison, nPB is considered much less dangerous than TCE.
According to the Federal Register listing on May 30, 2007, nPB is a "nonflammable organic solvent with a strong odor."
The Environmental Protection Agency, which studied the chemical, determined "nPB can be used (as a TCE alternative) with no substantial increase in overall risk to human health and the environment."
The EPA also determined nPB is "less persistent in the environment than many solvents," is less toxic to aquatic life than TCE and does not "bioaccumulate," meaning its concentrations do not rise as it moves up the food chain.
None of which is true of TCE, which the EPA considers to be a "potential carcinogen" and which the state of California considers to be cancer causing.
Which is not to say nPB poses no risk. According to the Federal Register listing, some studies have suggested "severe, possibly irreversible neurological effects from exposure at sustained concentrations of 100 parts per million or greater."
Other studies suggested a possible connection between nPB and menstrual disorders and sperm motility; however the EPA did not find any of those studies to be conclusive.
In fact, in issuing the current nPB rules, EPA dropped a proposed exposure limit of 25 parts per million suggested in its draft regulations.
"We believe that proper use of nPB in solvent cleaning would not pose measurable risks to the general population," the EPA wrote last year.
However, some local leaders want a public hearing to air out the issue.
Supervisor Rick Brown said he would urge the supervisors to comment on the proposed change and formally ask the DEP for a public hearing on the matter.
"They are planning to put more than nine tons of volatile organic compounds into the air," Brown said. "We need to find out how this will affect people."
Brown said seven neighbors of the plant had told him they want to have a public hearing.
Should no public hearing be held, Rebarchak said a decision on Superior's request would probably not come before "mid-December, depending on how many comments are received."
A complete copy of Superior's application is available for public review at DEP's Southeastern Regional Office, 2 E. Main St., Norristown.
Written comments or requests for a public hearing should be made to Francine Carlini, Regional manager Air Quality Department, Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Regional Office, 2 E. Main St., Norristown, PA 19401.
Company stink over EPA fine
A BROOKLYN tallow company has received an EPA Victoria fine for offensive odours.
Australian Tallow Producers Pty Ltd were fined $5841 for failing to meet EPA licence conditions that prohibit offensive odours from seeping beyond the boundaries of their Geelong Rd premises, following a pollution incident in July this year.
The Environmental Protection Authority had received a number of reports from the community about the odour, which came from a meal dryer that caught fire.
The EPA said the company agreed to shut the line down until the dryer was fixed.
Environmental services director Bruce Dawson said there were many challenges for community and industry co-existing together.
“Companies need to be aware of their social and environmental obligations and if there are problems then they need to actively work towards solutions,” Mr Dawson said.
Australian Tallow spokesman Craig Palmer said the company was undertaking significant works to improve odour controls at the site.
“After the incident in July we installed a second biofilter to reduce odour and a third is now under construction 12 months ahead of schedule,” he said.
“We are conscious of the impact odour has on the local community and will continue to work very hard in this area to reduce the risk.”
The company has 28 days to pay the fine, seek a review or have the matter dealt with in court.
Australian Tallow Producers Pty Ltd were fined $5841 for failing to meet EPA licence conditions that prohibit offensive odours from seeping beyond the boundaries of their Geelong Rd premises, following a pollution incident in July this year.
The Environmental Protection Authority had received a number of reports from the community about the odour, which came from a meal dryer that caught fire.
The EPA said the company agreed to shut the line down until the dryer was fixed.
Environmental services director Bruce Dawson said there were many challenges for community and industry co-existing together.
“Companies need to be aware of their social and environmental obligations and if there are problems then they need to actively work towards solutions,” Mr Dawson said.
Australian Tallow spokesman Craig Palmer said the company was undertaking significant works to improve odour controls at the site.
“After the incident in July we installed a second biofilter to reduce odour and a third is now under construction 12 months ahead of schedule,” he said.
“We are conscious of the impact odour has on the local community and will continue to work very hard in this area to reduce the risk.”
The company has 28 days to pay the fine, seek a review or have the matter dealt with in court.
'Worst weekend ever' with smell from Corranure
A Cavan lobby group has welcomed a move by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a review of the licence granted to Oxigen reducing the amount of biodegradable waste that it can accept at the Corranure landfill on the outskirts of Cavan town.
Cian Murtagh, the chairman of the Cavan Better Waste Management group told The Anglo-Celt that residents in the vicinity of Corranure had endured "the worst weekend ever" last weekend with the stench from the landfill.
He said that both he and members of the committee took countless calls over the weekend and on Monday from "very angry people" living all around the landfill in Drumalee and Ballyhaise. "They were complaining of waking up in the night, children being sick and terrible headaches. It was the worst weekend ever," said Mr. Murtagh.
In a statement, the EPA said that Corranure was one of a number of landfills being reviewed by the EPA. As part of the review process, objections can be made to the EPA to arrive no later than November 16.
As part of that review the EPA has issued a draft revised landfill licence for Corranure and imposed a number of stringent new conditions to minimise odour from the facility.
"The proposed change to the landfill licence was instigated by the EPA to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to this landfill and to impose stringent new conditions to minimise odour at the landfill," said an EPA release.
While welcoming the EPA's decision to restrict further the amount of biodegradable waste (which causes the smell) coming into the landfill, Mr. Murtagh is insisting that the EPA enforce the new terms strictly.
"To date, Oxigen has shown complete disregard for direct instructions from the EPA. We feel they won't listen and they won't heed the more stringent conditions," he said.
"When you read reports every two months going back two years and the first line reads 'the level of non-compliance at this facility is causing great concern to the EPA', it doesn't give you much confidence," added Mr. Murtagh.
He further called on the EPA to close Corranure to landfill as it did last Christmas until the odour is rectified and force Oxigen to pay a full-time EPA official based at the landfill.
That said, Mr. Murtagh agreed that if Oxigen abide by the new licence terms, it would have an "immediate effect" on the odour at the landfill.
It's expected, following the latest direction from the EPA, that Oxigen will now accelerate its plans to develop a biological treatment facility adjacent to the Corranure Civic Amenity Centre, which would deal specifically with biodegradable waste.
Oxigen has applied to the EPA for a licence to process up to 200,000 tonnes of waste annually in the new recycling park and biological treatment facility and An Bord Pleanála is expected to adjudicate on plans for the new 6,000 sq. m. plant.
Oxigen has said that the addition of a biological treatment facility to its operations will divert 95% of organic waste from landfill, which is responsible for producing the offensively smelling methane gas.
However, Cian Murtagh has said that Cavan Better Waste Management is still opposing the plans for the MBT plant, largely on the basis of Oxigen's track record at Corranure and the fact that people don't have faith in them to run the facility properly.
He noted that Cavan County Council officials and councillors travelled with Oxigen recently to see a fully functioning MBT plant in Germany but Mr. Murtagh said that members of Cavan Better Waste Management declined to go on the trip.
"They went to see an excellent facility in Germany run by an excellent company with a proven track record. They're not comparable. They're missing the point," remarked Mr. Murtagh.
However, County manager Jack Keyes is on the record as saying that Cavan intends to be one of the first counties in the country to move towards the type of biological treatment technology that is commonplace in Europe and which the council sees as key to diverting waste from landfill.
Despite this, the Cavan Better Waste Management group believes it has a "fighting chance" of achieving its original goal - getting the Corranure landfill closed when its licence expires. Capacity at the landfill is expected to run out some time in 2012.
At the time of going to print, no reply had been received from Oxigen in relation to the latest developments.
Cian Murtagh, the chairman of the Cavan Better Waste Management group told The Anglo-Celt that residents in the vicinity of Corranure had endured "the worst weekend ever" last weekend with the stench from the landfill.
He said that both he and members of the committee took countless calls over the weekend and on Monday from "very angry people" living all around the landfill in Drumalee and Ballyhaise. "They were complaining of waking up in the night, children being sick and terrible headaches. It was the worst weekend ever," said Mr. Murtagh.
In a statement, the EPA said that Corranure was one of a number of landfills being reviewed by the EPA. As part of the review process, objections can be made to the EPA to arrive no later than November 16.
As part of that review the EPA has issued a draft revised landfill licence for Corranure and imposed a number of stringent new conditions to minimise odour from the facility.
"The proposed change to the landfill licence was instigated by the EPA to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to this landfill and to impose stringent new conditions to minimise odour at the landfill," said an EPA release.
While welcoming the EPA's decision to restrict further the amount of biodegradable waste (which causes the smell) coming into the landfill, Mr. Murtagh is insisting that the EPA enforce the new terms strictly.
"To date, Oxigen has shown complete disregard for direct instructions from the EPA. We feel they won't listen and they won't heed the more stringent conditions," he said.
"When you read reports every two months going back two years and the first line reads 'the level of non-compliance at this facility is causing great concern to the EPA', it doesn't give you much confidence," added Mr. Murtagh.
He further called on the EPA to close Corranure to landfill as it did last Christmas until the odour is rectified and force Oxigen to pay a full-time EPA official based at the landfill.
That said, Mr. Murtagh agreed that if Oxigen abide by the new licence terms, it would have an "immediate effect" on the odour at the landfill.
It's expected, following the latest direction from the EPA, that Oxigen will now accelerate its plans to develop a biological treatment facility adjacent to the Corranure Civic Amenity Centre, which would deal specifically with biodegradable waste.
Oxigen has applied to the EPA for a licence to process up to 200,000 tonnes of waste annually in the new recycling park and biological treatment facility and An Bord Pleanála is expected to adjudicate on plans for the new 6,000 sq. m. plant.
Oxigen has said that the addition of a biological treatment facility to its operations will divert 95% of organic waste from landfill, which is responsible for producing the offensively smelling methane gas.
However, Cian Murtagh has said that Cavan Better Waste Management is still opposing the plans for the MBT plant, largely on the basis of Oxigen's track record at Corranure and the fact that people don't have faith in them to run the facility properly.
He noted that Cavan County Council officials and councillors travelled with Oxigen recently to see a fully functioning MBT plant in Germany but Mr. Murtagh said that members of Cavan Better Waste Management declined to go on the trip.
"They went to see an excellent facility in Germany run by an excellent company with a proven track record. They're not comparable. They're missing the point," remarked Mr. Murtagh.
However, County manager Jack Keyes is on the record as saying that Cavan intends to be one of the first counties in the country to move towards the type of biological treatment technology that is commonplace in Europe and which the council sees as key to diverting waste from landfill.
Despite this, the Cavan Better Waste Management group believes it has a "fighting chance" of achieving its original goal - getting the Corranure landfill closed when its licence expires. Capacity at the landfill is expected to run out some time in 2012.
At the time of going to print, no reply had been received from Oxigen in relation to the latest developments.
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