United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Research and Development
Washington DC 20460
EPA/600/N-93/012
July 1993
Vol. 12
ORD ENGINEERING
HIGHLIGHTS
A bimonthly 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 load person listed below. For general
information, contact Charlotte Bercegeay of me Office of Environmental Engineering and
Technology Demonstration, Phone: 919-541-2432.
Jo Help Monitor
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ORD Engineering Highlights
Global Climate Change
Will Your Automobile Be Cool?
AEERL has worked with a local television station to produce a story on what consumers will
face as their motor vehicle air-conditioning systems need maintenance or repair. Freon (R-12)
^, will not be manufactured after 1996. Some companies are already phasing out production of
this stratospheric ozone-depleting chemical. Customers are faced with the prospect of replacing their air-conditioning
systems with systems that can use new chemicals or using recycled Freon (if it is available). Customers will probably
choose the least costly solution to me problem. AEERL's work on recycling has led to the current usage by repair
shoos of equipment and procedures. Researchers are evaluating additives that might be used to greatly reduce the
customers^costs if they should need to change refrigerant. New alternative refrigerants for use in new equipment are
also being evaluated. Success in this area will allow a less burdensome phaseout of Freon. (William J. Rhodes,
AEERL, 919/541-2853)
New Refrigerant Could Benefit the Navy
AEERL has identified a new, non-ozone-depleting replacement refrigerant, HFC-236ea (l,l,2^hexafluoropropane):
The Naw currently uses R-114 refrigerant in shipboard chillers, and mineral oils are normally used as lubricants with
this chlorofluorocarbon (stratospheric ozone depleter). Researchers found that conventional lubricants cannot be used
with HFC-236ea. Preliminary evaluation of new lubricants that can be used includes a polyolester. Since H-236ea
mav be used as a replacement for R-114, the mineral oil currently being used is undergoing testing of its
thermodynamic and transport properties. Several polyolesters are also being tested so that comparisons can be made
in the lubricant selection process. If the Navy's testing of the EPA-recommended HFC-236ea/lubncant combination is
successful, its use promises to be a solution for one stratospheric ozone problem. (Theodore G. Brna, AEERL,
919/541-2683)
Bioremediation
Experimental Protocol for
Monitoring Oil Spill
Bioremediation Developed
The Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory (RREL)
participated in an international workshop sponsored by
the Marine Spill Response Corporation and The Centre
de Documentation de Recherche et d'Experimentations
that was held in Brest, France, in late spring. A common
experimental design/protocol for monitoring the bio-
degradation of hydrocarbons trapped in coastal sediment
was developed. It is planned that the experimental
protocol will be adopted internationally whenever a field
study on oil spill bioremediation takes place. (Albert D.
Venosa, RREL, 513/569-7668)
Drinking Water
EPA Researcher Received
Water Quality Association's
Honorary Membership
Award
RREL's Thomas Sorg received the Water Quality
Association's (WQA's) award for contributions to
mankind, through research, education, and exemplary
service in or related to water quality. His efforts have
benefited society by providing increased knowledge in
the field of water quality.
WQA is a national and international trade association
which manufactures and sells point-of-use and point-of-
entry water quality improvement equipment for homes
and businesses. (Thomas Sorg, RREL, 513/569-7370)
July 1993
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ORD Engineering Highlights
Pollution Prevention
RREL Commended by State of Ohio
The Ohio Senate recognized RREL for its contributions to establishing a Center for Applied
Environmental Technologies at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing Sciences in Cincinnati,
OH. The Center, funded by the State of Ohio, stresses pollution prevention in new manufactur-
ing techniques. The proclamation commends RREL for its commitment to improving environmental quality while
promoting economic development. (Harry Freeman, RREL, 513/569-7529)
Pollution Prevention Applied to Industrial Wastewater
RREL developed the Source Reduction Review Project (SRRP) to evaluate pollution prevention alternatives during the
regulatory development process. The goal of the SRRP is to foster the use of source reduction measures as the
primary means of achieving compliance. RREL recently completed sampling of pulping, bleaching, and wastewater
treatment technologies at a pulping plant in Alabama. The evaluation included the Kamyr or extended cooking
process which focuses on removing lignin from pulp prior to bleaching. This process increases the quantity of organic
material recycled and burned in the recovery boiler for energy recovery rather than leaving it for removal in the
bleach plant. The extended cooking process also decreases the amount of bleaching chemicals required, reducing the
likelihood of forming and discharging chlorinated organics. Key analytes of concern are volatile organics, chlorinated
dioxins and furans, chlorinated phenolics, adsorbable organic halogens (AOX), organic halides (OX) chemical oxygen
demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and color. Based on data received to
date, the dioxin and furan results indicate very low detectable levels. All liquid samples were 11 parts per quadrillion
or less; the sludge samples were detected at 1 part per trillion or less. There were sporadic detections of chlorinated
phenolics in the pulp line and final effluent; tabulated values are not yet available. AOX samples are currently being
tabulated and will be included in the overall draft report. (Glenn M. Shaul, RREL, 513/569-7408)
Non-Process Solvent Use in the Textile Industry Targeted for Pollution Prevention
In support of the Consumer/Commercial Products Report to Congress, AEERL researchers evaluated non-process
solvent use by nine textile manufacturers in North Carolina. Nontraditional consumer/commercial product emissions
must be evaluated and used to produce estimates of the types, locations, and volumes of emissions. AEERL's
evaluation meets the CAAA requirements and also identifies significant pollution prevention opportunities for future
demonstration. A key preliminary finding is that the industry uses large quantities (approximately 6,200 tons/yr) of
1,1,1-trichloroethane (a.k.a., 1,1,1-TCA or methyl chloroform) for spot cleaning. Successful application of new
processes could lead to non-ozone-depleting substitute cleaners or improvement of work practices. Methyl chloroform
use could be eliminated. (Michael Kosusko, AEERL, 919/541-2734)
New Program Added to Control Technology Center (CTC) Bulletin Board System (BBS)
AEERL has developed the first version of the Solvents Alternative Guide (SAGE) computer program to provide
suggestions for alternative industrial cleaning and degreasing technologies. The solvents now being used are ozone
depleters, criteria air pollutants, and hazardous air pollutants—some of which will be banned in the near future
Users can select options regarding their surface cleaning requirements including aqueous and semiaqueous systems
supercritical fluids systems, and low vapor pressure biodegradable cleaning systems.
SAGE uses the logic tree format mat selects the appropriate option based on answers to questions posed by the user
A detailed report includes the economics of the options, the equipment requirements, and general regulatory
requirements.
This user-friendly tool accelerates the use of pollution prevention options. (Charles H. Darwin, AEERL, 919/541-7633)
July 1993
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ORD Engineering Highlights
m
SITE
Pneumatic Fracturing SITE
Demonstration Completed
Test results are complete for a SITE demonstration of a
new technology for the removal of chlorinated volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) from tight soils. The
technology uses a pneumatic fracturing/extraction
process to open up underground channels, thereby
increasing permeability.
The field demonstration was done in late 1992 at an
industrial park in Somerville, NJ, where removal of VOC
contamination was necessary for compliance with New
Jersey's Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act
(ECRA). The demonstration substantiated the vendor's
claims that the process would increase extracted air flow
rates by at least 100% and the contaminant removal rate
by at least 50%. The increased contaminant removal rate
can be attributed to the increased air flow. (Uwe Frank,
RREL, 908/321-6626)
\vX
International
Activities
AEERL's Reburn
Technology a Success in
Russia and the Ukraine
AEERL recently discussed full-scale reburn test results
with scientists from Russia and the Ukraine. These tests
were run on a 300 MWe wet bottom coal-fired utility
boiler. The natural-gas-fired reburn system reduced NOX
emissions by 50% on average.
Ukrainian scientists plan to install the same design on
the other five boilers located at the Ladyzhin Power
Station when funding is available. With U.S. Agency for
International Development (U.S. AID) funding, AEERL
will continue to work with the Ukrainians to further
optimize the rebum system during the coming year.
(Robert E. Hall, AEERL, 919/541-2477)
Radon
Third Edition of Agency's
Technical Guidance for
Indoor Radon Mitigation
AEERL completed the third edition of .the key EPA
guidance document for the design, installation, and
operation of indoor radon reduction systems in houses.
"Radon Reduction Techniques for Existing Detached
Houses: Technical Guidance (Third Edition) for Active
Soil Depressurization Systems," updates the information
in the earlier edition, reflecting the substantial amount of
additional data that have been obtained over the past 5
years.
This practical, "how-to" document enables a first-time
user to design and install a state-of-the-art active soil
depressurization system. This document communicates
me Agency's radon mitigation guidance to State and
local officials, the industry, homeowners, and others.
(Bruce Henschel, AEERL, 919/541-4112)
Technology Transfer
Radon Guidance Manual
Available
"Radon Prevention in the Design and Construction of
Schools and Other Large Buildings," EPA/625/R-92/016,
provides detailed technical guidance for architects,
engineers, and builders constructing schools or other
large buildings in radon-prone areas. The manual
contains design and installation guidelines for the three
recommended radon prevention techniques: (1)
installing an active soil depressurization system, (2)
pressurizing the building with the heating, ventilating,
and air-conditioning system, and (3) sealing major radon
entry routes. It is typically easier and much less
expensive to design and construct a new building with
these features than to add them after the building is
completed and occupied.
These recommendations are based on 5 years of AEERL
radon research in both new and existing schools and
other large buildings. (Kelly Leovic, AEERL, 919/541-
7717)
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ORD Engineering Highlights
Regional or State
Assistance
RREL Provides Assistance
to Milwaukee in
Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak
A team of researchers from RREL provided technical
assistance to Milwaukee, WI, in April during an
outbreak of a waterborne disease, cryptosporidiosis.
RREL and city officials examined the water treatment
plant records to determine if the parasite, Crypto-
sporidium, could have passed through Milwaukee's
water-filtering systems.
Many Milwaukee residents became ill, but most
recovered within a week. However, there were at least
six deaths during this period. These six people tested
positive for Cryptosporidium. Officials will conduct
further research to determine if there is a connection
between the water contamination and the deaths. (Kim
R. Fox, RREL, 513-569-7820)
July 1993
•frlJ.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1993 - 750-071/80015
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