Plasma reactor waste management systems

The University of North Dakota is developing a plasma reactor system for use in closed-loop processing that includes biological, materials, manufacturing, and waste processing. Direct-current, high-frequency, or microwave discharges will be used to produce plasmas for the treatment of materials. The plasma reactors offer several advantages over other systems, including low operating temperatures, low operating pressures, mechanical simplicity, and relatively safe operation. Human fecal material, sunflowers, oats, soybeans, and plastic were oxidized in a batch plasma reactor. Over 98 percent of the organic material was converted to gaseous products. The solids were then analyzed and a large amount of water and acid-soluble materials were detected. These materials could possibly be used as nutrients for biological systems

Task 2.3 - Review and Assessment of Results From the Comprehensive Characterization of Toxic Emissions From Coal-Fired Power Plants

To help meet the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored Phase I of a study entitled "Comprehensive Characterization of Toxic - Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants" in 1992. Final reports which detail air toxic emissions from eight power plants (nine conilgurations) were completed by the contractors. The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) served as an independent third-party reviewer of these reports; it has completed the activities as outlined for the initial review process and has prepared two reports. The fiist report, entitled "A Comprehensive Assessment of Toxic Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants: Phase I Results from the U.S. Department of Energy Study" was published in September 1996 and is available to the public and private sectors through the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) at Pittsburgh. This report surnmar izes and evaluates the stack emission data. The second report prepared by the EERC, entitled "A Comprehensive Assessment of Toxic Emission from Coal-Fired Power Plants: Statistical Correlations from the Combined DOE and EPRI Field Test Data," details empirical correlations derived horn the Phase I DOE data and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPIU) PISCES (Power Plant Integrated Systems: Chemical Emissions Studies) data. The objective of the project was to provide an independent review of the Phase I data, evaluate the scientific validity of the conclusions, identify significant correlations between emissions and fuel or process parameters, compare the data with available data from EPRI studies, make recommendations for future studies, and complete a combined report that summarizes Phase I, Phase II, and EPRI findings

Task 2.8 - Mercury Speciation and Capture in Scubber Solutions

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation into health risks associated with mercury emissions from utility steam generators, municipal waste combustion units, and other sources was mandated by the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990. In anticipation of mercury emission regulation, attention has been focused on quantification of mercury emissions, which require verifiable sampling and analytical techniques. Several sampling and analytical methods are currently under the final stages of development as well as a variety of emission control methods. In particular, wet scrubber systems designed for S2 control in coal-fired utilities have been targeted for mercury control. Conventional wet-scrubbers remove mercury in a variety of soluble oxidized forms. Oxidized mercury is highly water-soluble and can be removed by scrubber slurry, theoretically limited only by gas-film mass transfer. However, since some oxidized mercury forms such as HgClz are borh soluble and volatile, the final fate of mercury trapped in scrubber solutions is unclear. Elemental mercury is not water-soluble, remaining in the vapor state at temperatures through pollution control devices and exiting the stack into the environment. However, notable exceptions to this rule exist. Depending on the type of mercury-sampling method used, an increase ofs 10% in elemental mercury concentrations across wet scrubbers has been metiured but is yet unconllrmed. Also, significant amounts of elemental mercury (metallic form) have been removed during wet scrubber maintenance. In addition, questions concerning 1) the initial speciation between oxidized and elemental forms of mercury in flue gas from coal- fired boilers and 2) the effects of scrubber slurry composition and pH on the mercury species have been raised

Task 2.3 - Review and Assessment of Results From the Comprehensive Characterization of Toxic Emissions From Coal-Fired Power Plants

To help meet the requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored Phase I of a study entitled "Comprehensive Characterization of Toxic - Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants" in 1992. Final reports which detail air toxic emissions from eight power plants (nine conilgurations) were completed by the contractors. The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) served as an independent third-party reviewer of these reports; it has completed the activities as outlined for the initial review process and has prepared two reports. The fiist report, entitled "A Comprehensive Assessment of Toxic Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants: Phase I Results from the U.S. Department of Energy Study" was published in September 1996 and is available to the public and private sectors through the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) at Pittsburgh. This report surnmar izes and evaluates the stack emission data. The second report prepared by the EERC, entitled "A Comprehensive Assessment of Toxic Emission from Coal-Fired Power Plants: Statistical Correlations from the Combined DOE and EPRI Field Test Data," details empirical correlations derived horn the Phase I DOE data and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPIU) PISCES (Power Plant Integrated Systems: Chemical Emissions Studies) data. The objective of the project was to provide an independent review of the Phase I data, evaluate the scientific validity of the conclusions, identify significant correlations between emissions and fuel or process parameters, compare the data with available data from EPRI studies, make recommendations for future studies, and complete a combined report that summarizes Phase I, Phase II, and EPRI findings

Task 2.8 - Mercury Speciation and Capture in Scubber Solutions

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation into health risks associated with mercury emissions from utility steam generators, municipal waste combustion units, and other sources was mandated by the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990. In anticipation of mercury emission regulation, attention has been focused on quantification of mercury emissions, which require verifiable sampling and analytical techniques. Several sampling and analytical methods are currently under the final stages of development as well as a variety of emission control methods. In particular, wet scrubber systems designed for S2 control in coal-fired utilities have been targeted for mercury control. Conventional wet-scrubbers remove mercury in a variety of soluble oxidized forms. Oxidized mercury is highly water-soluble and can be removed by scrubber slurry, theoretically limited only by gas-film mass transfer. However, since some oxidized mercury forms such as HgClz are borh soluble and volatile, the final fate of mercury trapped in scrubber solutions is unclear. Elemental mercury is not water-soluble, remaining in the vapor state at temperatures through pollution control devices and exiting the stack into the environment. However, notable exceptions to this rule exist. Depending on the type of mercury-sampling method used, an increase ofs 10% in elemental mercury concentrations across wet scrubbers has been metiured but is yet unconllrmed. Also, significant amounts of elemental mercury (metallic form) have been removed during wet scrubber maintenance. In addition, questions concerning 1) the initial speciation between oxidized and elemental forms of mercury in flue gas from coal- fired boilers and 2) the effects of scrubber slurry composition and pH on the mercury species have been raised

Sampling and Analysis at the Vortec Vitrification Facility in Paducah, Kentucky. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

The Vortec Cyclone Melting System (CMS) facility; to be located at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, is designed to treat soil contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and radioactive elements, as well as organic waste. The primary components of Vortec`s CMS are a counter rotating vortex (CRV) reactor and cyclone melter. In the CMS process, granular glass forming ingredients and other feedstocks are introduced into the CRV reactor where the intense CRV mixing allows the mixture to achieve a stable reaction and rapid heating of the feedstock materials. Organic contaminants in the feedstock are effectively oxidized, and the inert inorganic solids are melted. The University of North Dakota Energy {ampersand} Environmental Research Center (EERC) has been contacted to help in the development of sampling plans and to conduct the sampling at the facility. This document is written in a format that assumes that the EERC will perform the sampling activities and be in charge of sample chain of custody, but that another laboratory will perform required sample analyses