C',/
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Off ice of
Research and Development
Washington DC 20460
EPA/600/N-92/006
April 1992
Vol.9
4VEPA ORD ENGINEERING
HIGHLIGHTS
A bi-monthly compilation of EPA's Office of Research and Development engineering research activities
and results and related research activities in pollution prevention and mitigation. To discuss any of these
activities, contact the ORD lead person listed below. For general information, contact Darlene Watford of
the Office of Technology Transfer and Regulatory Support, Phone: (202)260-7891.
to Replace CFC-114
from Coal Combustion
sionstiedui
tor Cyclone Boilers
ergy From Landfill Gas
tr> ir**t Inorganic mod Preserving Wast<
'
" New Tedjnolo^esfor In^oe Coolant Reckling
phnoJogies Project Win? Award)
Oil Btoremediatfon Data
AIR
Hydrocarb By-Product Could Provide Clean Burning Fuel
A by-product of the Hydrocarb process which is currently
being evaluated as a source of methanol as automotive fuel
has potential for use as a premium pollution-free boiler fuel in
the utility and industrial sectors. The by-product, pure
carbon-black (CB), contains no sulfur, nitrogen, or participate
and has a significant heating value. To obtain a preliminary
assessment of this potential, the Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory (AEERL) researchers ran a brief series
of tests to determine pumpability, atomization, and
combustion characteristics of slurries made from pure CB.
They tested slurries of different compositions of CB with
methanol and of CB with fuel oil. Results indicate that CB
slurries have high carbon burnout efficiencies for a wide range
of furnace excess air levels. In addition, the NO emissions
resulting from the combustion of these slurries would
probably be lower than those from pure oil burning. Thus, it
appears that CB slurries have potential as a clean burning fuel.
[Robert Borgwardt, AEERL, (919) 541-2336]
New Non-Oione Depleting
Replacement for CFC-114
Compound Researched as
One of several new compounds being examined by AEERL
as a possible replacement for CFC-114 refrigerant has passed
the next round of testing and continues to look very attractive.
The new compound is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), meaning
it contains no chlorine or bromine capable of destroying
stratospheric ozone. The compound, code name: HFC-236ea,
has an estimated lifetime in the atmosphere of approximately
2 to 4 years, thus minimizing any impact the chemical could
have on global warming. One of the biggest users of
CFC-114 in the United States, the Navy, uses it as a
refrigerant for shipboard air conditioning. The Navy has been
searching for a replacement for CFC-114 that would work as
well in existing equipment with perhaps only minor
adjustments. HFC-236ea appears to be an excellent candidate
for further development for this application. AEERL is
continuing to examine the attributes of HFC-236ea and is
discussing with the Navy the possibility of cooperative
evaluation of the chemical in actual refrigeration equipment as
the next step. [N. Dean Smith, AEERL, (919)541-2708]
Soil Radon Map Developed
A prototype map of soil radon potential in Alachua County,
Florida has been developed under the direction of ORD's
AEERL for the Florida Radon Research Program. Using
geological and soil features, this map indicates the areas
associated with different potentials for elevated indoor radon
levels. Soil radon potentials were characterized by modeling
individual soil profiles at numerous locations throughout
Alachua County with respect to their radon generation and
transport properties. A model was used to compute the
potential rates of radon entry into a reference house that was
modeled over each soil profile. Radon potential maps have
been proposed as a basis for implementing radon-protective
building construction requirements in Florida. The prototype
map of Alachua County will be used to develop the necessary
methods and to examine the feasibility and problems
associated with a broader statewide radon mapping effort.
[David Sanchez, AEERL, (919) 541-2979]
Printed on Recycled Paper
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Reductions in Emissions From Coal Combustion in China
As part of the continuing Peoples Republic of China-U.S.
etiologic study of the relationship between lung cancer and
indoor open hearth combustion of coal, the AEERL test facility
was used to burn coal associated with extremely high lung
cancer rates. The coal was burned both in chunk form and in
briquettes composed of the same coal ground and combined
with clay. The briquette firing showed reductions of total
paniculate by 70%, medium boiling organics by 90%, benxo
(a)pyrene by 65% and heavy organics by 70% compared to the
chunk form. N2O was reduced by 50% to 100 ppb. Much
more extensive testing is needed to identify the processes
involved and quantify the results; however, the data are an
indication of the briquettes' potential in markedly reducing the
exposure faced by some rural Chinese. [(Bruce Harris,
AEERL, (919) 541-780]
Prototype System for Tracking Emissions Reductions
The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) call for
States to submit progress inventories to EPA for the purpose of
demonstrating strategies for achieving a 15% reduction in
emissions (VOCs, NOx, and CO) from 1990 to 1996. This
requirement applies to moderate, serious, severe, and extreme
ozone non-attainment areas. In addition, these non-attainment
areas must demonstrate at least a 3% reduction (averaged over
3-year increments) beginning in 1996 and continuing thereafter
until attainment is reached. To track the amount of reduction
in emissions that are actually occurring, the emissions reported
in the projection inventories will be compared with the actual
emissions reported in periodic "adjusted base" inventories that
are also required by the CAAA. AEERL has developed and
demonstrated a PC computer prototype system for the Office
of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) that will meet
the need for tracking emissions reductions. With this
technology, OAQPS can determine rapidly, rather than in
several years, whether the States are actually reducing
emissions. [Sue Kimbrough, AEERL, (919)541-2612]
EPA Enters Phase IV of Asbestos Study
Phase IV of a cooperative research project with the New
Jersey Department of Health will observe airborne asbestos in
17 schools four years after abatement activities, and a "real
world" spray buffing operation and maintenance of another 15
New Jersey schools. Follow-up testing at these sites will be
performed with Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
evaluation a nd passive dust monitoring and surface dust
sampling to determine the source of the asbestos. [Thomas J.
Powers, RREL, (513)569-7550]
Control Technology Center Supports Clean Air Act
The Control Technology Center (CTC) was recently
identified as one of four programs of the Federal Support
System to provide technical support to the States' new small
businesses technical assistance programs. The States are
mandated by the Clean Air Act of 1990 to establish technical
assistance programs to support small businesses. The Federal
support system will ensure that the states have the technical
expertise and data to comply with the mandate. The CTC is a
joint technical assistance program between Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards and AEERL originally
established to provide technical assistance to State and local
government agencies. Its scope of support has grown to
include both foreign and domestic government agencies,
responding to over 5000 requests annually for technical
assistance and CTC-generated documents. [Charles H.
Darvin, AEERL, (919) 541-7633]
Radon Protocols for Large Buildings
The Florida Department of Community Affairs requested
that AEERL develop protocols for radon diagnostics and
mitigation of large buildings. For this study, a large building
is defined as "non-residential and more than three stories in
height or larger than 10,000 square feet in area." AEERL will
develop preliminary protocols by studying eight large
buildings in Florida during the spring and summer of 199'2.
Radon measurement and mitigation strategies will be applied
to these buildings using technology previously developed by
EPA for radon mitigation in school buildings. The State of
Florida is expected to fund approximately $148,000 for 'this
project through an existing Interagency Agreement with EPA.
In addition, EPA will provide an in-kind effort worth
$122,000. [Timothy M. Dyess, AEERL, (919)541-2802]
Radon Reduction for Attached Houses
In AEERL's first effort to develop and demonstrate radon
mitigation techniques for attached houses, a research project is
being conducted in a public housing apartment complex in
Cortland, New York. The project objective is to research
radon mitigation techniques that can readily be employed to
mitigate attached housing structures. Methods that combine
components for adjoining residential units such as exhaust
stacks, furnace combustion air intakes, or vacuum fields are
being examined for potential application. To date, active
subslab depressurization and sump pit encapsulation are being
evaluated in these units. [Marc Y. Menetrez, AEERL, (919)
541-7981]
Low NOx Process for Cyclone Boilers Improved
AEERL is co-sponsoring a rebum demonstration for NOx
control on a 108 MW cyclone coal-fired power plant in Niles,
OH. In initial testing with the original fuel injectors (using
flue gas recirculation) AEERL achieved a 60% NOx reduction
from a NOx baseline level of 720 ppm. The original reburn
fuel injectors were replaced with new water-cooled fuel
injectors to eliminate the use of flue gas recirculation which
was causing slag buildup on the rear wall of the boiler. With
the modified fuel injectors, the NOx was reduced to 350 ppm
for a 51% NOx reduction. To achieve improved NOx
reduction, water or steam will be introduced into the natural
gas stream to reduce the temperature and reaction time and
allow for better mixing. In late January, two of the five
injectors developed water leaks and the NOx level dropped to
220 ppm for a 69% NOx reduction. Long-term tests (About
60 days in length) will be performed without water injection
from March until May. If all sponsors and the Host Site agree,
a second series of tests with water injection will be run from
May through July 1992. Controlled amounts of water will be
introduced into the natural gas stream with the aim of
improving the process. [Robert E. Hall, AEERL, (919)
541-247]
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WATER
Evaluating GAC Adsorbers for the Removal of PCBs and
Toxaphene
The Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory (RREL) and
the University of Southern California, have published a paper
in the Journal of American Water Works Association on the
effectiveness of activated carbon adsorption for the removal of
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and toxaphene from
organic-free water and humic acid background solution. In
addition, complexation experiments were conducted to assess
the extent of association between the target pollutants and
humic acid. The dispersed-flow homogeneous surface
diffusion model was satisfactory for predicting the
performance of fixed-bed adsorbers tor removing PCBs from
organic-free water. When humic acid was present, carbon
capacity was greatly reduced because of complexation and
competitive adsorption effects, and the adsorber dynamics
were complicated by the presence of various species such as
unassociated humic acid and pollutant-humic acid complexes.
[Richard Miltner, RREL, (513) 569-7403]
EPA Prepares Cost Estimate for Small Water Treatment and
Distribution System
EPA received a request to prepare cost estimates for several
small water treatment and distribution systems. A computer
software package prepared by RREL on standardized costs for
water supply distribution systems was used to provide cost
estimates for construction and operation/maintenance of
domestic water distribution and transmission pipelines, water
pumping stations, and water storage reservoirs. Cost estimates
for treatment technologies such as slow sand filtration,
pipelines, and storage tanks that take into account regional
variations in cost were also prepared using this software.
These cost estimates are important in that electrical
cooperatives are beginning to operate water supply systems in
rural communities. The cooperatives may be well suited
technically and administratively to mitigate problems faced by
small communities trying to provide drinking water. [Richard
Eilers, RREL, (513) 569-7809]
Expert Systems Show Promise for Customer Inquiries
A three-year-study has resulted in the development of a
computerized expert system that could be broadly applicable
to other water utilities. The customer query expert system is
designed to assist administrative personnel in handling
customers' inquiries and complaints about water quality. The
system has been developed as a prototype and will be placed
in field operation for further testing and refinement in the near
future. Significant effort is expected to be necessary to move
from prototype "proof-of-concept" demonstrations to fully
featured systems that are of practical use in the field. [Robert
Clark, RREL, (513) 569-7201]
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Fuel Cells Used to Recover Energy from Landfill Gas
Researchers at AEERL have published the Phase I final
report (EPA-600/R-92-007) of the demonstration of fuel cells
to recover energy from landfill gas. The report discusses
results of a conceptual design, cost, and evaluation study of
energy recovery from landfill gas using a commercial
phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant The report describes
the conceptual design of the fuel cell energy recovery system,
and projects its economic and environmental feasibility. A
conceptual design of the project demonstration was
established from the commercial system. It addresses the key
demonstration issues facing commercialization of the concept.
Candidate demonstration sites were evaluated, which led to
selection and EPA approval of the demonstration site. A plan
is discussed for construction and testing of a landfill gas
pretreatment system which will render landfill gas suitable for
use in the fuel cell. The final phase of the study will be
demonstration of the energy recovery concept and should be
completed by September 1994. [Ronald J. Spiegel, AEERL,
(919) 541-7542]
EPA Tests Process to Treat Inorganic Wood Preserving
Wastes
RREL tested an immobilization process for treating
inorganic wood preserving wastes. This process uses a
combination of ferrous sulfate and portland cement to
immobilize metals (arsenic, chromium, and copper) found in
untreated wastes. After treatment, the leachate levels were
below the 5 mg/L limits for arsenic and chromium. [Ronald
Turner, RREL, (513) 569-7775]
POLLUTION PREVENTION
Two New Technologies for Engine Coolant Recycling
Two technologies, chemical filtration and distillation, were
evaluated for recycling automotive and heavy-duty engine
coolants. One document entitled "Automotive and
Heavy-duty Engine Coolant Recycling by Filtration" is now
available (EPA/600/2-91/066). Another document titled
"Automotive and Heavy-duty Engine Coolant Recycling by
Distillation" will be available soon. Results show that both
technologies have good waste reduction and economic
potential. The New Jersey facility where this evaluation was
conducted potentially could reduce spent coolant waste
volume from over 8,000 gallons per year to about 400 gallons
per year. [Paul Randall, RREL, FTS 684-7673]
Innovative Clean Technologies Program Recipient Wins
Award
Ohio Governor George V. Voinovich recently named Ink
Engineering Services (IBS) as one of four recipients of the
Fifth Annual Governor's Awards for Outstanding
Achievement in Pollution Prevention. IES designed an
innovative process to reformulate and recycle waste inks into a
usable black ink. One year ago, IES won a $25,000 grant
under RREL's Innovative Clean Technologies Program to
develop the equipment and demonstrate the process. Since
then IES has recycled 500,000 pounds of ink. Because the
IES process produces an ink that is itself recyclable, IES can
recycle ink repeatedly. This process is unique in the industry
and it requires that commercial equipment be customized to
handle the work and still meet performance requirements.
RREL manages the Innovative Clean Technologies
Program in cooperation with the Office of Small &
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, in order to promote
pollution prevention among small businesses by providing
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grants of up to $25,000 to fund the demonstration of
innovative techniques and technologies. [Ken Stone, RREL,
(513) 569-7474]
BIOREMEDIATION
Bioremediation Field Initiatives
Bioventing projects for bioremediation of JP-4 jet fuel
contaminated Vadose zone soil have been underway since July
1991 at Eielson, Alaska, and Hill, Utah, Air Force Bases
(AFBs). The active-warming segment of the Eielson AFB
project is working well; average winter temperatures have
been raised to approximately 12°C in the warmed plot
compared to sub-O°C temperatures in the non-warmed plots.
The elevated temperature is allowing bioremediation to
continue throughout the entire year in the actively-warmed
plot. At Hill AFB, the air injection rate will be lowered in
early spring to determine the impact on the bioremediation/
volatilization tradeoff. A final report was completed for the
aborted bioventing study of the PAH-contaminated Allied
Signal waste coke site in Ironton, Ohio. The search continues
to find another PAH-contaminated site to provide for a
bioventing study to be conducted under the SITE Program. A
Field Summary Report was also completed for the
Brookhaven, Mississippi Fungal Treatability Study on Soil
Contaminated with Wood-Preserving Chemicals. The Field
Summary Report will be used to prepare separate technical
reports on creosote and PCP biodegradation using white rot
fungus. These reports will be available by June 1992.
[Richard Brenner, RREL, (513) 569-7657]
Encapsulation Technologies Used to Enhance Bioremediation
While Preventing Groundwater Pollution
The Environmental Research Laboratory (ERL)-Gulf
Breeze is investigating the concept of using encapsulation
technologies to enhance bioremediation and prevent
groundwater pollution. This concept includes coating
microorganisms, having identified degradative capabilities,
and essential nutrients with various polymers. In theory, the
encapsulated microorganisms (possibly with essential
nutrients) are stored, delivered, and applied for specific
bioremediation or pollution prevention purposes; they are then
time-released by regulating mechanisms such as dissolution or
photolization of the polymer matrix. Two possible
applications of this concept are currently being studied: (1)
encapsulated microorganisms, used with pesticides, are
time-released to degrade the pesticides before they are
transported to the groundwater; and (2) microorganisms plus
essential nutrients are delivered to contaminated sites to
enhance bioremediation. [P.H. Pritchard, ERL-Gulf Breeze,
(904) 932-9260]
New Way to Analyze Oil Bioremediation Field Data
After reviewing the variability of oil chemistry data from
the 1989 and 1990 summer research programs, Exxon
researchers suggested presenting the data using hopane in the
denominator as the basis of normalization. Hopane, a natural
constituent of oil consisting of multiple saturated rings of
carbon and hydrogen and resembling cholesterol in structure,
is resistant to biodegradation and thus easily serves as a
conservative internal standard for following the fate of oil over
time. Any loss of constituents relative to hopane is presumed
to be due solely to biodegradation rather than dissolution,
volatilization, or washing away by tides. If hopane
disappears as well, such a loss is presumed due to physical
causes. When the 1989 and 1990 field data were normalized
to hopane, much of the variability disappeared. Regression
curves were much tighter in regards to variation around the
data points, and rates of disappearance of oil relative to
hopane in the fertilizer-treated plots were significantly higher
than the non-treated controls. The biodegradation rate
enhancement was of the order of 3-fold. [Albert Venosa,
RREL, (513) 569-7668]
Bioassays Used to Evaluate Site Remediation Technique
ERL-Corvallis, RREL, EPA Region II, and the
Niagara-Mohawk Power Corporation, Syracuse, NY, have
developed plans that will evaluate soil samples from a former
coal gasification plant located at Harbor Point, NY. This site,
although not a Superfund site, is currently under review by
the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation. The site is undergoing evaluation of soils
remediation using thermal desorption through the Superfund
Innovative Technology Evaluation program. The Corvallis
laboratory staff will use bioassays to test the soils before and
after treatment to evaluate the efficacy of the process for
reducing the toxicity of the contaminants in the soil. The
biological assessment of the samples will help to determine
the reduction of risk at the site when the soils are treated and
returned to the site. A final report will be provided to Region
II and Niagara-Mohawk Power Corporation which will
contain information that will contribute to the remediation of
sites with similar problems. [Clarence Callaihan,
ERL-Corvallis, (503) 754-4764]
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
New Developments for the Integrated Risk Information
System (IRIS)
IRIS2, the new personal computer version of the Integrated
Risk Information System that will be used exclusively by
EPA and state offices was distributed to health risk assessors
in EPA regional and headquarters offices and ORD
laboratories at the end of February. IRIS is a data base of
chemical-specific risk assessment and regulatory information.
Three new inhalation reference concentrations were added to
IRIS in January. In addition, the 187 regulatory actions that
were on IRIS were updated and 203 new regulatory actions
were added. IRIS now contains 492 chemical files, which
include 604 assessments (336 oral RfDs, 27 inhalation RfCs,
and 205 carcinogens), 64 health advisories and 392
regulatory action sections. [Pat Daunt, ECAO-Cin, FTS
684-7596; For routine requests concerning IRIS, contact IRIS
User Support, (513) 569-7254]
EPA Participates in Bioremediation Course at Rutgers
University
Dr. John Glaser, of RREL, lectured at a two-day
Bioremediation Short Course held at Rutgers University. The
two-day course entitled, "Bioremediation: Principles,
Applications, Regulations and Opportunities," was designed
for decision-makers who design, evaluate or implement
environmental clean-up projects. This course was the first of
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a series of short courses in bioremediation sponsored by the
Rutgers University AgBiotech Center to provide tools and a
knowledge base necessary to assess the viability of
bioremediation for specific projects. The first day covered the
basics of bioremediation and the second day reviewed EPA's
recommendations on implementation of biological systems to
remediate contaminated sites. Dr. Glaser coordinated the
technical session, which included aspects of reactor design and
in situ design. [John Glaser, RREL, (513) 569-7568]
REGIONAL ASSISTANCE
AEERL Technical Support Results in Air Settlement for
Region 8
EPA Region 8 requested assistance from AEERL to
determine if the Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCC)
practiced good air pollution engineering at its Comanche Unit
2 plant The plant has experienced paniculate emission
problems beginning in the mid 1970's. PSCC dealt with the
problems by periodically shutting down the unit and cleaning
the hot side electrostatic precipitators (ESP) used to control
paniculate emissions. Significant amounts of paniculate
matter are emitted during the cleaning operation and PSCC
was repeatedly cited for violating the NSPS opacity standard.
AEERL reviewed PSCC's in-house reports on the problems at
the plant and conducted a site visit with personnel from
Region 8. As a result of AEERL's evaluation, Region 8
referred the case to the US Department of Justice and a
complaint was filed against PSCC in January 1992 seeking
over 1.5 million dollars. Negotiations between PSCC and
EPA have recently resulted in a settlement, with PSCC
agreeing to pay $600,000. This is the largest air settlement in
the history of Region 8. [L. E. Sparks, AEERL, (919)
541-2458]
•fru.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: NM - 648-080/40240
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United States Center for Environmental BULK RATE
Environmental Protection Research Information POSTAGE & FEES PAID
Agency Cincinnati, OH 45268 EPA
PERMIT NO. G-35
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA/600/N-92/006
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