EPA-600/7-76-006
FEDERAL
INTERAGENCY
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM-STATUS REPORT II
JUNE 1976
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PREPARED BY
OEMI
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FEDERAL
INTERAGENCY
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM-STATUS REPORT II
JUNE 1976
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Z
I
PREPARED BY
OEMI
ORD/EPA
RD-681, 401 M ST..S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C 20460 (202) 755-4857
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
LIST OF FIGURES i
PREFACE 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERAGENCY PROGRAM 3
Purpose 3
Program Development and History 5
Interagency Task Force Reports 6
Interagency Program Planning Structure 9
Sector Groups Communicate 12
Program S-tatus 15
PROCESSES AND EFFECTS PROGRAM 19
Pollutant Identification: Characterization, Measurement and Monitoring ... 19
Transport Processes and Ecological Effects 25
Health Effects 32
Integrated Technology Assessment 35
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY' PROGRAM 39
Extraction and Beneficiation 42
Fossil Fuel Combustion 47
Synthetic Fuels 53
Advanced System and Conservation 54
Conclusion 58
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE - PAGE
1 Interagency Program Planning Structure 10
2 Coal: Typical Fuel Cycle Components 11
3 Western Energy Resource Development Efforts Within
Interagency Program R&D Categories 14
4 FY 1975 Interagency Energy/Environment Funding Distributed
by Program 17
5 FY 1976 Interagency Energy/Environment Funding Distributed
by Program . . 18
6 FY 1975 Health and Environmental Effects of Energy Use 21
. 7 FY 1976 Health and Environmental Effects of Energy Use 22
8 FY 1975 Environmental Control Technology for Energy Systems .... 40
9 FY 1976 Environmental Control Technology for Energy Systems .... 41
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PREFACE
An essential part of achieving na-
tional energy self-sufficiency is to
minimize the environmental costs accom-
panying accelerated domestic energy re-
source development and use. This report
summarizes a Federal environmental re-
search and development (R&D) program
directed at understanding and minimizing
these environmental costs. This program
is based on the recommendations of sev-
eral Federal interagency studies of the
nation's energy and environmental R&D
needs.
The report examines the role of the
Environmental Protection Agency's Office
of Energy, Minerals, and Industry (OEMI),
a newly-established operation within
EPA's Office of Research and Develop-
ment, which is responsible for coordina-
ting the implementation of the Federal
Interagency Energy/Environment R&D pro-
gram. This report is organized into the
following three chapters:
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND
OVERVIEW. This chapter examines the
philosophy underlying the Agency's in-
creased emphasis on energy-related envi-
ronmental research and development. It
analyzes OEMI's role as coordinator for
the Federal Interagency Energy/Environ-
ment R&D Program in the context of sev-
eral factors: EPA's experience in R&D
and in research on environmental control
technology, health and ecological ef-
fects, and pollutant identification and
monitoring required to achieve the
Agency's statutory responsibilities; the
need for continuity in, and coordina-
tion of, Federal Environment/Energy R&D;
the objectivity and balance that EPA
can provide to the Energy Research and
Development Administration's mission of
expanding domestic energy supplies; im-
plications of the R&D Program for the
national goal of rapidly expanding near-
term use of abundant domestic coal while
meeting clean air standards; and the
necessity for anticipatory environmental
R&D to be conducted along with develop-
ment of energy technologies so that
there are no unnecessary delays in the
commercial application of new energy
sources.
Chapter One also outlines the his-
torical basis of OEMI's formation, re-
viewing the December 1973 report on The
Nation's Energy Future, the two inter-
agency task force reports to the Office
of Management and Budget (Report of the
Interagency Working Group on Health and
Environmental Effects of Energy Use and
Final Report of the Interagency Working
Group on Environmental Control Technology
for Energy Systems), and the Energy/En-
vironment. R&D budget requests and author-
izations for FY 1975 and FY 1976.
This chapter discusses the Federal
Interagency R&D Program which evolved
from the interagency reports and which
involves seventeen Federal departments
and agencies, and the program's planning
and implementation structure. Designed
to achieve general R&D continuity and
avoid needless duplication, the inter-
agency effort is being planned and co-
ordinated by EPA, which is legally
responsible for the disbursement, moni-
toring, and control of the funding for
several hundred research projects.
CHAPTER TWO; PROCESSES AND EFFECTS
PROGRAM. This chapter describes the FY
1975 and FY 1976 plans for research into
pollutant characterization, health ef-
fects, ecological effects, transport
(pollutant dissemination), and integra-
ted technology assessment. Tasks al-
ready underway, including the interagency
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agreements which have been developed for R&D on environmental control tech-
jointly by EPA and the participating niques in four general subcategories:
agencies, are outlined in this chapter. fuel extraction and beneficiation, fossil
fuel combustion, synthetic fuels and ad-
CHAPTER THREE; ENVIRONMENTAL CON- vanced systems, and conservation. Proj-
TROL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. This chapter ects underway, including interagency
describes the FY 1975 and FY 1976 plans agreements, are discussed.
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
TO THE
INTERAGENCY
PROGRAM
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GOALS OF INTERAGENCY ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM
- PROTECTION OF HEALTH AND OF THE ENVIRONMENT DURING ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT
AND USE OF DOMESTIC ENERGY SUPPLIES
- PREVENTION OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT DELAYS CAUSED BY INADEQUATE ENVIRONMENTAL
INFORMATION
- DEVELOPMENT OF COST-EFFECTIVE POLLUTION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES
- ASSURANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT OF ENERGY CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES
- PURSUIT OF HEALTH, WELFARE, ECOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL GOALS
- PROMOTION OF ENERGY-RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION TRANSFER
- ANTICIPATION OF IMPACTS FROM, AND PROVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
FOR, FUTURE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERAGENCY PROGRAM
PURPOSE
As the nation strives to reduce
its energy dependence, increased consid-
eration of energy-related environmental
problems arising from domestic energy
resource development is required. Accel-
erated efforts to expand existing energy
supplies and develop new energy sources
must be accompanied by accelerated ef-
forts to anticipate, plan for, and con-
trol the more serious adverse health and
ecological effects resulting from rapid
energy development. On the Federal
level, this need has been recognized by
the expansion of research and develop-
ment programs and capabilities which are
located in a number of departments and
agencies. Centralized coordination of
these programs is provided via the
Federal Interagency Energy/Environment
Research and Development Program to
assure that our national energy goals are
matched with an effective R&D Program in
that critical area where energy needs
and environmental protection goals
overlap.
Since its establishment in 1970, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has been heavily involved in those energy-
related environmental research efforts,
including the development of pollution
control technology, necessary to help
meet its statutory responsibilities. In
particular, the Agency's work is well
established in the areas of flue gas
desulfurization technology, energy re-
covery from municipal waste, advanced
automotive power systems (this program
has subsequently been transferred to the
Energy Research and Development Admin-
istration), fluidized bed combustion of
coal and oil, physical and chemical
coal cleaning, health and ecological
effects of energy-related pollutants,
and pollutant measurement and monitoring
techniques.
The recent national policy emphasis
on development of domestic energy
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ate
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supplies stimulated the formation, by
EPA, in late 1974, of an Office of
Energy Research (OER) within the Office
of Research and Development (ORD). Sub-
sequently, reorganization of ORD in
June of 1975 combined industrial and
mineral extraction pollution control re-
search with energy-related environmental
research in a new Office of Energy,
Minerals, and Industry (OEMI).
COORDINATION AND CLEAN ENERGY.
OEMI pursues'two basic purposes—to pro-
vide a focus for EPA's own Environment/
Energy/Industry R&D efforts and to serve
as the coordinator of the comprehensive
Federal Interagency Environment/Energy
R&D Program. OEMI's primary goal is the
creation of a sound basis for the devel-
opment of clean energy sources. This
goal includes environmental protection
during every phase of accelerated devel-
opment and use of energy supplies, with
particular emphasis on domestic re-
sources, as well as the development of
cost-effective pollution control tech-
nologies for new and existing energy,
industry, and mineral extraction systems.
The Interagency Program recognizes
that continuity is crucial in a success-
ful R&D program. Often, the "surge
effect" of accelerated R&D in response
to a rapidly emerging problem can lead
to a lack of continuity and, hence, to
less useful results. The nature of
energy/environment research requires
well-established programs so that long-
range effects and unexpected problems or
developments can be assessed adequately.
In addition, within the several agencies
involved in the program there lies a
reservoir of expertise and experience
which could not be mobilized by any one
agency. This resource can, through the
Interagency Program, be used to conduct
that portion of the program wherein lies
each organization's unique expertise.
OEMI's role as coordinator of the
Interagency Program also reflects the
fact that a sound environmental R&D
program must be conducted in tandem with
the evolving energy development programs
placed under the general direction of
the Energy Research and Development Ad-
ministration (ERDA). ERDA's mission is
to aggressively pursue new energy sources
and to expand existing sources using the
best technological, economic, and environ-
mental means available. However, be-
cause of the pressure to develop new
energy sources and technologies, ERDA
cannot be expected to focus as intensely
on the environmental aspects as it does
on its primary energy development respon-
sibilities. EPA's mission, on the other
hand, is environmental protection, and
its objective in this area is to enable
ERDA's efforts to progress as rapidly as
possible while maintaining national
environmental goals. Through this divi-
sion of effort there develops a healthy,
creative tension between the two agen-
cies to ensure well-supported planning
and strategy decisions.
Congress was cognizant of these two
complementary roles when it enacted the
Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, which
established ERDA and called on the direc-
tors of EPA and ERDA to formulate inter-
agency agreements to promote cooperative
Federal Energy/Environment R&D efforts.
The diversity provided by Congress'
direction should help to ensure balanced,
objective, and carefully weighed judg-
ments. Greater protection of the public
interest resulting from such a balancing
process should foster public trust and
increase confidence in national energy
and environmental policy decisions.
The philosophy behind OEMI's mis-
sion recognizes that timing is critical
in the overall relationship between
energy and environmental R&D. In gen-
eral, efforts to expand use of domestic
supplies will focus on the nation's two
primary fuel resources—coal and nuclear
energy. Through the 1970's and early
1980's, however, only coal use can be
increased to an appreciable extent.
This will occur chiefly through direct
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combustion in power plant and industrial
boilers, but only if technologies to
control emissions of sulfur oxides and
other pollutants are successful and are
applied. Thus, Environment/Energy R&D
on near-term coal use will center on
EPA's continuing program to advance
environmentally acceptable ways to ex-
tract and utilize coal. To the degree
that these control technologies can be
implemented rapidly to minimize the
adverse environmental effects of direct
coal combustion, there will be early
environmental, economic, and social bene-
fits from such R&D efforts. For this
reason, funds are weighted heavily in
the FY 1975 and FY 1976 budgets towards
facilitating near-term coal use—devel-
opment of flue gas desulfurization sys-
tems (stack gas scrubbers), analysis of
environmental effects of coal extrac-
tion, characterization and monitoring of
resultant pollutants, determination of
health effects of coal conversion, and
other related programs.
ANTICIPATORY R&D. Another key
aspect of the OEMI program is anticipa-
tory R&D. Many of the new energy tech-
nologies being investigated by ERDA will
require attendant pollution control
measures. Sufficient lead time is es-
sential to ensure that appropriate
controls are available in advance—
preferably when a new energy technology
is ready for initial demonstration. In
addition, basic information on pollutant
characterization, measurement, and ef-
fects on human health and the environ-
ment should be established at an early
date to ensure full consideration of all
relevant factors in development deci-
sions.
For these reasons, the mid-term
and long-term emphasis of the Environ-
ment/Energy Program shifts toward
anticipatory. R&D. Overall environmental
considerations have to be integrated
into the planning of energy technology
development. A scientifically valid
knowledge of the health, ecological, and
welfare effects of an energy technology
system is required before the system is
implemented. While maintaining at an
adequate level research necessary to
support EPA's regulatory role (scrubbers,
for example), the program will emphasize
the prevention of environmentally adverse
effects of new energy sources through
greater understanding of general environ-
mental processes. This work is begin-
ning. It will expand in the future as
the need for R&D to answer regulatory
needs diminishes. In this effort, EPA/
OEMI will work closely with ERDA and
with the other participating agencies
as new energy sources are developed.. The
rationale behind such a cooperative
approach is clear—it is far more cost-
effective to provide adequate environ-
mental protection as a part of new
technologies than to retrofit controls in
operational systems or to clean up wastes
once they have been discharged. The
nation will be best served if, through
cooperative planning and programming,
new environmentally compatible energy
systems are ready when needed.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND HISTORY
The Office of Energy, Minerals, and
Industry has developed a five-year plan-
ning and implementation program based upon
the goals stated in the presidentially-
mandated report on The Nation's Energy
Future (The Ray Report) and upon two
interagency task force reports commis-
sioned by the Office of Management and
Budget to recommend how Federal R&D funds
in the areas of energy and environment
could be allocated most effectively.
The specific recommendations of the task
forces form the foundation for OEMI's
role and for the entire R&D program.
The Ray Report. In the summer of
1973, the President directed the Chair-
person of the Atomic Energy Commission
to prepare a comprehensive and inte-
grated national energy research and
development plan. The result, entitled
The Nation's Energy Future (and often
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referred to as The Ray Report), was
completed in December 1973. Drawing
upon the efforts of 36 Federal depart-
ments and agencies as well as the private
sector, it recommended a five-year, $10
billion energy research and development
program to achieve national energy self-
sufficiency by developing five resource
areas: energy conservation, oil and
gas, coal, nuclear, and advanced energy
systems. Proposed funding for, and
brief descriptions of, the environmental
control technology R&D required to
exploit these resources were incorporated
into the report, which also recommended
a supporting environmental effects
program.
FISCAL YEAR 1975 PROGRAM BUDGET.
The Ray Report helped shape the Federal
budget requests for FY 1975. These
requests contained a substantial in-
crease in R&D in the environmental
aspects of this major national energy
research and development program. The
Administration, through EPA's budget,
requested $191 million in FY 1975 for
the Energy/Environment R&D Program.
Congress authorized $134 million. The
non-EPA portion of the interagency pro-
gram was approximately $53 million, or
nearly 40 percent.
FISCAL YEAR 1976 PROGRAM BUDGET.
For FY 1976, the Administration, again
through EPA's budget, requested $112
million for the Energy/Environmental
R&D Program. Congress reduced the appro-
priation to $100 million. The inter-
agency portion of the program is about
$32 million. Part of the reduction is
associated with direct appropriation to
ERDA of $6 million of their "pass-
through" allocation. Another part is
associated with the full funding, in FY
1975, by EPA of two large flue gas de-
sulfurizaton demonstrations.
INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE REPORTS
Following release of The Ray Report and
initial formulation of the FY 1975
budget, two interagency task forces were
established under the auspices of the
Council on Environmental Quality by the
Office of Management and Budget to ex-
amine ongoing Federal research programs
and to recommend allocations of funds
which would provide the most effective
integrated environment/energy R&D pro-
gram. Their reports covered two areas:
(1) Health and Environmental Effects
of Energy Use, and
(2) Environmental Control Technology
for Energy Systems.
Issued in November 1974, the task
force reports were developed by key
representatives of more than a dozen
Federal agencies, departments, and
laboratories, all involved in energy-
related environmental research. One of
the major purposes of the reports was to
determine whether serious gaps existed
in the overall Federal Energy/Environment
R&D Program. By performing a cross-cut
review of the entire program, it was
possible to identify such gaps, to
determine areas where adequate support
was available for national energy goals,
and to locate target areas for funding
via the special energy appropriation to
EPA. OEMI, in implementing the inter-
agency program based upon the two task
force reports, is in an advantageous
position to maintain a balanced and co-
ordinated Federal Environment/Energy R&D
Program.
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF
ENERGY USE. This working group reviewed
current work and future research needs
for health and environmental effects
which result from the following energy
technologies: coal and synthetic fuels,
natural gas and oil, energy efficiency,
oil shale, nuclear, solar, geothermal,
and hydroelectric.
Two criteria were required for areas
selected for study: (1) the research
areas had to be energy-related and (2)
they had to take into account existing
research bases in the various
agencies. In further identifying its
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task, the group identified the research
required at each of the major stages of
any energy cycle—extraction, processing
or conversion, and utilization. The
following areas were used to assess
health and environmental information
needs for each stage of each energy
cycle.
• Pollutant characterization,
measurement, and monitoring -
identification, measurement, and
monitoring instrumentation and
methods.
• Environmental transport
processes - the transmission in
air, water, and soil of pollu-
tants and heat emitted from
energy operations. The review
traced these pollutants from
their source to their ultimate
destintion (fate) in man and the
environment. In addition, the
group covered any physical and
chemical transformation occur-
ring during transport.
• Health effects - the quanti-
tative and qualitative effects
of energy-related agents in terms
of the risks they pose to human
health, and health cost inform-
ation to aid in occupational and
general standard setting for
energy-related hazardous sub-
stances.
• Ecological effects - the environ-
mental effects of increased
energy development on fresh sur-
face and ground water, marine
and estuarine, and atmospheric/
terrestrial ecosystems.
• Integrated Assessment - the
entire range of consequences of
alternative energy/environment
policies, including health,
ecological, socio-economic, and
welfare impacts. Attention was
directed towards identifying
"environmentally and economically
acceptable alternatives.... to
assist in selection of 'optimum'
policies for attainment of
environmental quality goals."
The report called for the initi-
ation of assessments integrating
information from the following
areas:
(1) environmental research,
(2) social and welfare effects,
(3) total environmental impact,
(4) cost/risk/benefit, and
(5) implementation alternatives.
To help simplify planning, the two
closely related interagency category
areas of ecological effects and transport
processes have been combined into a
single broad program. For an explanation
of how these functional areas fit into
the overall planning structure, see the
OEMI program description on pages 1-13
and 1-14 and in Chapter 2. The FY 1976
health and environmental effects program,
totalling $41-million, follows essen-
tially the same distribution pattern as
the $53-million FY 1975 program.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
FOR ENERGY SYSTEMS. The interagency
task force report on Federal R&D Pro-
grams for environmental control tech-
nology concentrated on the overall
Federal effort in pollution control
technology for energy systems, recommend-
ing where programs should be expanded,
maintained, or revised. Because of the
goal of increasing the use of domestic
energy resources, this task force's
report concentrated on the following
nine programs, most of which relate to
domestic coal and nuclear energy use.
• Energy resource extraction -
The report examined, measures to
reduce the environmental impacts
of extracting coal, oil and gas,
and oil shale with special empha-
sis on western surface mining of
coal and oil shale.
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Coal Cleaning - The study exam-
ined processes for chemical and
physical cleaning of coal to
remove ash and sulfur prior to
direct combustion.
Flue Gas Cleaning - The report
dealt at length with this area,
since the major near-term
priority item for the national
Energy/Environment R&D Program
is to complete demonstration of
current generation flue gas
desulfurization (FGD) systems
and to advance the state of the
art of regenerable (producing
a useful byproduct) FGD
systems. In addition to its
emphasis on sulfur removal from
flue gas, the report recommended
that processes be developed for
removal of fine particulates,
nitrogen oxides, and hazardous
materials. It also directed
attention towards environment-
ally acceptable disposal tech-
niques for flue gas cleaning
wastes.
Direct Combustion - Processes
to develop high-efficiency, low-
pollutant combustion systems
were reviewed, with particular
emphasis on fluidized bed com-
bustors.
Synthetic Fuels - The report
found that coal gasification
and liquefaction technologies
appear to be promising, but
emphasize that little is now
known about emissions and
residuals released to the envi-
ronment from the conversion
process. The report concluded
that appropriate control tech-
nology will have to be developed
before commercial-scale oper-
ations can begin.
Nuclear Fuel Cycle - The study
determined that work is needed
on nuclear waste control. It
focused on reduction of the
environmental impacts from
processing and disposal of waste
at critical points in the nuclear
fuel chain—particularly mining
and milling wastes.
• Thermal Control - The report
discussed disposal of waste heat
from electric power plants,
concluding that emphasis must be
placed on improved cooling
devices, reduced use of rivers
and lakes as heat sinks for
discarding thermal effluents,
and utilization of waste heat.
• Improved Efficiency - The report
called for assessment of poten-
tial environmental effects of
industrial process changes to
apply energy conservation,
waste as fuel, and advanced
power systems.
• Advanced Systems - Environmental
studies on geothermal and solar
energy were reviewed, and future
research areas were discussed.
The task force recommended that
highest priority be given to R&D on flue
gas cleaning and energy resource extrac-
tion since both processes can facilitate
increased near-term coal use. Looking
further into the future, it stressed
that high priority should also be
assigned to R&D on ways of using more
coal such as physical/chemical cleaning
and fluidized bed combustion. Because
of the likelihood that successful com-
mercial development of synthetic fuels
would guarantee the utility of virtually
all domestic coal, the report urged that
early attention also be focused on
environmental problems in that area.
Finally, research on potential environ-
mental problems arising from increased
energy conservation measures was identi-
fied as a priority area.
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Supporting the goal of minimizing
the environmental costs of increased
reliance on domestic fuels, priority
has been given to environmental control
technology R&D in the areas of coal
extraction and beneficiation, fossil
fuel combustion, synthetic fuels, and
advanced systems and conservation. Well
over 60 percent of all energy/environment
control technology program funds are
allocated for coal-related R&D in these
four program areas.
Since the publication of the two
task force reports in November of 1974,
the R&D program categories used in those
reports have become common nomenclature
for the Interagency Program's research
communications. Not only are these
terms of reference used between agencies,
they have also been adopted for portions
of internal communications by several
agencies, including EPA and ERDA. De-
tails of EPA's program, including accom-
plishments planned for FY 1976 and be-
yond, both within the EPA and in other
Federal agencies receiving OEMI pass-
through funds, are contained in Chapter
3.
INTERAGENCY PROGRAM PLANNING STRUCTURE
The Ray Report and the two inter-
agency task force reports form the
basis of the program undertaken by EPA's
Office of Energy, Minerals, and Indus-
try (OEMI).. To implement the report's
recommendations, OEMI has established a
straightforward but comprehensive plan
to ensure that the entire range of
Federal Energy/Environment R&D is
woven together into a manageable frame-
work.
A multidimensional matrix is being
employed to classify program content and
resources. This format, depicted in
Figure 1, provides both a means for
classifying ongoing activities and a
practical structure for program planning.
The structure allows easy identification
of the various elements of the program
and is being used by OEMI, the EPA labo-
ratories involved, and the other partici-
pating Federal agencies as the basis for
the formal planning mechanism for energy-
related environmental R&D projects sup-
ported by the Interagency Program.
An example of how this planning
process works is shown in Figure 2.
This figure illustrates typical environ-
mental research areas for each stage of
the fuel cycle for coal. It can be seen
that each component of the energy cycle—
extraction of the resource, physical
.processing or chemical conversion to get
the resource into a more usable form,
and utilization or the actual controlled
release of energy as power for transmis-
sion and consumer end use—calls for
specific areas of environmental research.
Some of these typical areas- are listed
on the overlay. To illustrate, the
ecological problems created by the sur-
face mining of western coal require
research into the revegetation of arid
lands. Underground coal mining requires
research into acid mine drainage. Coal
cleaning, gasification, and liquefaction
processes require research into waste
disposal and treatment. Flue gas desul-
furization systems require research into
sludge stabilization and disposal and
into advanced desulfurization techno-
logies. Each of these environmental
problems typifies areas of discrete
research needed for a particular compo-
nent of the coal energy cycle.
On the other hand, another benefit
of specialized research is that many of
the functional research areas permit
information transfer among all fuel cycle
components. For example, pollutant
characterization studies are basic to
the development of control technology
for almost every component of the coal
cycle.
To further illustrate the flexi-
bility of this planning structure,
Figure 3 shows how one major area of
concern—western energy resource
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FIGURE 1
ri^-i
i
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TYPICAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AREAS
-IDENTIFICATION & TREATMENT
OF HAZARDOUS POLLUTANTS
-HEALTH EFFECTS OF HAZARDOUS
POLLUTANTS
-WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECLAMATION
-RESOURCE RECOVERY
-SLUDGE DISPOSAL OR USE
-ADVANCED PROCESSES
IREGENERABLESYSTEMS)
-FLY ASH DISPOSAL
-HEALTH AND ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF
ACID AEROSOLS 8 FINE PARTICULATES
-MEASUREMENT &MONITORING OF
SULFATES
-CONTROL OF FINE PARTICULATES
AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
-ACID MINE DRAINAGE
-COALMINING WASTE
TREATMENT/DISPOSAL
-ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY 8. TRANSPORT
IACID SULPHATE AEROSOL FORMATION)
-REVEGETATION OF ARID LANDS
-DISRUPTION OF AQUIFERS AND
NATURAL DRAINAGE CONTOURS
-POLLUTANT DISCHARGES AND
EFFECTS
^SITE SELECTION
-SURFACE 8. GROUND WATER
MONITORING
-IDENTIFICATION & MEASUREMENT
OF HAZARDOUS DISCHARGES
-WASTE TREATMENT/DISPOSAL
-RESOURCE RECOVERY(CHAR)
-IDENTIFY ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL
ENERGY CONSERVATION
PROCESSES
-HIGH TEMPERATURE GAS
CLEAN UP
-IDENTIFICATION & MEASUREMENT
OF HAZARDOUS DISCHARGES
-WASTE TREATMENT/DISPOSAL
-RESOURCE RECOVERY ICHAR)
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FIGURE 2
COAL: TYPICAL FUEL CYCLE COMPONENTS
EXTRACTION
UNDERGROUND
SURFACE MINING
PROCESSING OR CONVERSION
UTILIZATION
COAL CLEANING
COAL LIQUEFACTION
Bttt HIGH BTU GASIFICATION *
POWER PLANT
FLUIDIZED BED COMBUSTION
FLUE GAS CLEANING
PIPELINE
LOW-BTU GASIFICATION POWER PLANT
T'
END USE
-------
development—is both part of, and high-
lighted by, the Interagency Program
category structure. This is a region-
specific "cut" of the overall program.
Other perspectives which could be ea'sily
chosen include fuel type (coal, oil,
etc.), energy cycle (extraction, proces-
sing, etc.), technology (fluidized bed
combustion, sulfur oxides control, etc.),
and/or environmental concern (health
effects, pollutant characterization,
etc.). The information gained from the
various research projects can thus be
easily transferred among functional
areas, cycle components, and energy
sources, when appropriate, based on the
relationships shown in the planning
structure matrix (Figure 1).
OEMI's ROLE. This planning approach
is being used by OEMI in its role as
coordinator of the Federal Interagency
Energy/Environment R&D Program for EPA's
laboratories and for other participating
Federal agencies and departments. OEMI,
with input from the other participants,
concentrates on strategic planning,
information assessment and transfer,
and overall program balancing. Detailed
program execution and management is
delegated to the field laboratories of
EPA and to the other Federal agencies.
When the strategic planning phase
is completed, OEMI's role becomes one
of implementing and monitoring the pro-
gram. The implementation phase is car-
ried out in the following manner:
Step 1: The first step is the
identification of necessary tasks.
Prior to this, OEMI has reviewed exist-
ing, related programs in terms of the
interagency report recommendations.
This process requires extensive consul-
tation with field laboratories, Federal
and private research organizations, and
other EPA offices.
Step 2; After OEMI has identified
a task, a short (two to four paragraphs)
description (an Energy Objective State-
ment) is transmitted to the appropriate
EPA laboratory or other agency for staff
review in'terms of current programs,
experience, and potential for contribu-
tion.
Step 3: The participating labo-
ratory responds with a concise descrip-
tion (Energy/Environment Accomplishment
Plan) of a plan for accomplishing the
task outlined in the Objective Statement.
Step 4: Final review is conducted
by OEMI headquarters staff, and the OEMI
director authorizes expenditure of funds.
Step 5: Upon receiving OEMI ap-
proval, the participating laboratory or
agency then carries out the plan, includ-
ing the development of any extramural
contracts or grants. OEMI monitors the
progress of the task in periodic inter-
agency program reviews.
At OEMI headquarters, the Energy
Coordination Staff implements the Energy
R&D Program both within and outside of
EPA. Its specific responsibilities
include administration of the Interagency
R&D Program as well as review and com-
munication within the Office of Research
& Development, of technical reports
resulting from these research efforts.
In its coordination role, OEMI has
three objectives: (1) to establish
clear communication between OEMI and the
field research laboratories and/or imple-
menting agencies regarding specific
programs, (2) to provide a high degree
of interaction among all participants in
a research program, thus facilitating
efficient future coordination, and (3)
to eliminate unnecessary paperwork.
SECTOR GROUPS COMMUNICATE
To identify new priority research
needs and provide a major forum for in-
formation exchange, OEMI has established
12
-------
"sector groups" for broad energy-related
program areas. Led by a member of OEMI's
technical staff, each group is comprised
of EPA's research personnel, other EPA
officials, and representatives of other
agencies involved in related research
areas. The group meets periodically
to ensure that the research needs in
each problem area are adequately covered.
To date, sector groups have been estab-
lished for three major categories—
electric utilities, advanced fossil
fuels, and western energy resource
development.
At the sector group meetings,
participants present information on top-
ical areas from their own unique per-
spectives. Sector group discussions
highlight areas of major concern, explore
solutions to current and potential pro-
blems, and identify gaps in ongoing
research, potential areas of unnecessary
duplication, and emerging areas of R&D
opportunity. Information exchanged dur-
ing these meetings is documented and is
used in both the fine tuning of ongoing
research and the conceptualization and
planning of new R&D efforts.
Clearly, it is too early to assess
the success of the planning structure.
It was applied initially to the $134
million FY 1975 interagency program, and
is now being applied to the $100 million
FY 1976 program and the planning phases
of the FY 1977 program. Alterations are
being made as experience is gained.
Such a structure alone, of course, can-
not achieve the coordination necessary
for effective implementation of the R&D
program. The structure may expedite
a successful program, but continuing
cooperation and communication between
the participating agencies and their
laboratories is required to ensure its
success.
PROGRAM STATUS
Since FY 1975, OEMI has planned,
coordinated, and implemented the Federal
Interagency Energy/Environment R&D Pro-
gram, guided by the Ray and interagency
task force reports mentioned earlier.
By using the same program planning
process for succeeding fiscal years,
review to minimize duplication and need-
less overlap is facilitated, and possible
deficiencies in the program are identi-
fied so that planning can close major
gaps.
To date, OEMI has approved more than
140 accomplishment plans for the FY 1975
program, has issued approximately 80
objective statements for the FY 1976
program, and has approved 35 FY 1976
accomplishment plans using the funda-
mental planning concepts discussed
earlier in this report. To summarize,
OEMI is:
• Working toward the major national
goal of reducing energy depend-
ence through expanded and new
use of domestic fuel resources
at minimal dollar, social, and
environmental costs
• Adhering to the policy recom-
mendations., of the two Interagency
Task Force reports on the Federal
Interagency Energy/Environment
R&D Program in terms of current
efforts and future requirements
• Testing and refining the planning
structure to assure that it
meets the objectives of contin-
uity, simplicity, logic, and
effectiveness of implementation
• Using a five-step implementation
process designed to facilitate
program-oriented interjurisdic-
tional communication and co-
ordination
• Recognizing the critical timing
of energy/environment R&D requir-
ed to enable production and use
of abundant domestic coal as
13
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY:
FIGURE 3 . WESTERN ENERGY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
WITHIN
INTERAGENCY PROGRAM R&D CATEGORIES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
RESOURCE EXTRACTION
• Coal mining water
quality
• Oil shale mining
water quality
COAL CLEANING
• Coal cleaning
process development
FLUE GAS CLEANING
ENERGY RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
RESOURCE EXTRACTION
COAL CLEANING
FLUE GAS CLEANING
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
RESOURCE EXTRACTION
• Plant materials studies
• Control technology coal/
oil shale spoils effects
• Stabilization methods oil
shale lands
• Revegetation technology
• Low sulfur western coal in
small boilers
• Electro static precipitator
control of particulates
DIRECT COMBUSTION
SYNTHETIC FUELS
NUCLEAR
DIRECT COMBUSTION
SYNTHETIC FUELS
NUCLEAR
• Uranium mill wastes
studies - western
• Ground transport of buried wastes
THERMAL
Uranium mill waste
control
• Water conservation alternative
four corners sources
• Met/dry cooling towers
evaluation - western
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ADVANCED SYSTEMS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Geothermal assessment £ control
technique
HEALTH &
ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS:
ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT & FATE ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT & FATE
• Coal, oil shale effects,
groundwater
* Transport s fate - fresh
surface water
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Trace pollution, coal
combustion s processing
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
• Terrestrial/freshwater -
colstrip
• Aerosol loading - Colstrip/
CHARACTERIZATION, MEASURE-
MENT & MONITORING
• Air, water, groundwater
moni Coring
• Air, water monitoring
HEALTH EFFECTS
• Metabolic fate, toxicity -
western fly ash
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
• Western resource/electric
utility integrated assessment
Surface mine land
reclamation
CHARACTERIZATION, MEASURE-
MENT & MONITORING
* Aerosols S particulate instrumentation •
western coal
HEALTH EFFECTS
• Damage, repair, recovery
coal, oil shale
• Kinetics S hazards, coal s
oil shale
• Health effects - toxic agents
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
• Cost-benefit methodology -
western power
Effects on biota -
Montana, Wyoming
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
Western coal/oil shale
-------
Key
Interagency Program Categories » RESOURCE EXTRACTION
Projects Related to Western Resource Development • Coal Mining Hater Quality
The Interagency Energy-Environmental Program provides a structure of R&D activities within which related research can be
clearly identified from various perspectives. Such perspectives include fuel-orientation (coal, oil, etc.), fuel cycle (ex-
traction, combustion, etc.), agency, environmental factors (health, ecological effects), technology (flue gas, desulfuriza-
tlon, etc.). Highlighted on this chart is a region-oriented cut of the program as it addresses the crucial Western Energy
Resource Development issues. The tasks within the broad Interagency Categories Indicated on this chart demonstrate the
extent of this regionally oriented effort. These tasks are superimposed upon the overall planning structure (Interagency
Categories) to provide an Illustration of how the Interagency Program serves to coordinate research activities, across agencies
and across program categories, to provide a comprehensive assessment of a particular problem area. All the Interagency Cate-
gories which are being addressed by the participating agencies as part of the Interagency Program are Included. Those which
apply to western Energy Resource Development are highlighted along with an indication of the type of work being performed, while
this is only a partial listing of the entire Interagency Program, it does give a relatively complete overview of the western-
related portion of the program.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY:
INTERAGENCY PROGRAM CATEGORIES
NOT DIRECTLY APPLICABLE TO
WESTERN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
FLUE GAS CLEANING (TVA.BOM)
DIRECT COMBUSTION (TVA)
THERMAL (TVA)
HEALTH &
ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS:
WESTERN SPECIFIC PROJECTS OF OTHER AGENCIES
ECOLOGICAL TRANSPORT & FATE
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Characterize aerosols colstrip
Forum on fish & wildlife, Upper Colorado
Ecosystems research, Upper Missouri
Water quality needs, Colorado, Missouri
Human population impacts. Southwest
Survey of unallocated water/ Western
CHARACTERIZATION, MEASURE-
MENT & MONITORING
• Aerosol correlation Denver, Four Corners
• Meteorological prediction of air quality
• Standard reference materials - oil shale,
geotnermal, uranium
• instrumentation development, water quality,
deep aquifers
• Groundwater & surface water monitor network
• Remote sensing ASVT demonstration
HEALTH EFFECTS
• Hazards to workers, oil shale - Kifle, Colorado
(NOAA)
(FWS)
(FWS)
(FWS)
(FWS)
(FWS)
(NOAA)
(NOAA)
(NBS)
(USGS)
(USGS)
(NASA)
(NIOSH)
HEALTH 6
ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS:
TRANSPORT
PROCESSES (TVA)
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS (TVA)
CHARACTERIZATION,
MEASUREMENT &
MONITORING (m)
HEALTH (NiEHS)
INTEGRATED
ASSESSMENT (m>HUD)
BOM - Bureau of Mines
FWS - Fish and Wildlife Service
HUD - Housing and Urban Development
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NBS - National Bureau of Standards
NIOSH - National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
NOAA - National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority
USGS - US Geological Survey
15
-------
quickly and as cleanly as pos-
sible. To this end, the bulk
of the $234 million FY 1975 and
FY 1976 Interagency Program
resources are slated to support
near- and mid-term environ-
mentally compatable coal use.
Implementing the Processes and
Effects Program plans, which are
also directed chiefly towards
facilitating the use of coal as
well as towards energy conserva-
tion. The tasks assigned under
this program stress research on
health effects of coal conver-
sion, atmospheric chemistry, and
pollutant transport related to
direct coal combustion, and
improved air monitoring and
measurement for coal use.
Figures 4 and 5 indicate funding
for the processes and effects
program as distributed over the
major functional areas of
concern. Priority in each area,
again, is given to facilitating
coal use while protecting envi-
ronmental quality. The inte-
grated technology assessment
programs underway involve western
energy resource development, the
electrical utility sector, and
advanced fossil fuels. Figure
_5 also indicates the FY 1976
program funding shift in priori-
ties which is described in the
following chapter.
16
-------
FIGURE 4
FY1975
INTERAGENCY ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
FUNDING DISTRIBUTED BY PROGRAM
CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM
($81 MILLION)
FOSSIL
FUEL
COMBUSTION
34.0%
PROCESSES AND
EFFECTS PROGRAM
($53 MILLION)
17
-------
FIGURES
FY 1976
INTERAGENCY ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
FUNDING DISTRIBUTED BY PROGRAM
CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM
($55.8 MILLION)
ADVANCED
SYSTEMS &
CONSERVATION
8.4%
FOSSIL
FUEL
COMBUSTION
32.2%
EXTRACTION &
BENEFICIATION
9.2%
SYNTHETIC FUEL
6.0%
HEALTH
EFFECTS
13.8%
POLLUTANT
IDENTIFICATION
8.9%
ECOLOGICAL
PROCESSES AND
EFFECTS PROGRAM
($44.2 MILLION)
18
-------
CHAPTER 2
PROCESSES
AND
EFFECTS
PROGRAM
-------
CHAPTER 2
PROCESSES AND EFFECTS PROGRAM
The energy-related interagency en-
vironmental processes and effects program
is designed to determine the environ-
mental effects of each stage of each en-
ergy source's fuel cycle (extraction,
processing, conversion, utilization and
multicomponent). The goal of the program
is to compile and assess fundamental data
so that, as energy production increases,
measures can be taken early enough to
protect both the ecosystem and human
health, welfare, and social goals.
The Office of Energy, Minerals, and
Industry has carried out the detailed
planning and initiated the implementa-
tion of a $53 million FY 1975 processes
and effects program and is now complet-
ing the detailed planning of the $44
million FY 1976 program. As recommended
by the interagency task force, the cri-
teria for determining research priorities
were:
• Potential magnitude and impor-
tance of human health and envir-
onmental effects;
• Nature and potential magnitude
of the developing technology;
• Expected rate of development of
the technology.
The program is divided into four
functional areas: (1) Pollutant Identi-
fication: Characterization, Measurement
and Monitoring; (2) Ecological Effects
and Transport Processes; (3) Health Ef-
fects; and (4) Integrated Technology
Assessment. Salient aspects of the
processes and effects program are de-
scribed in the following pages. EPA's
part in the interagency program is
presented first, followed by the projects
supported by interagency program funds
and implemented by other agencies.
Figure 6 illustrates FY 1975 funding
distribution of the $53 million budget
among the aforementioned five functional
areas in the processes and effects pro-
gram. To help simplify planning, the
two closely related areas of transport
processes and ecological effects have
been combined into a single broad program.
Figure 7 shows the equivalent distribution
for the FY 1976 $41.3 million budget.
POLLUTANT IDENTIFICATION: CHARACTERIZA-
TION, MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING
This research area involves identi-
fying and quantifying pollutants related
to energy production or use, as well as
improving pollution measurement capabili-
ties. In this area, the program has two
objectives: to accelerate development of
new and improved sampling and analysis
methods for energy-related pollutants and
to identify, measure and monitor pollu-
tants associated with rapid implementa-
tion of national energy goals, particu-
larly those related to coal conversion
processes. In pursuit of these objec-
tives, research tasks on pollutant identi-
fication have been initiated by EPA
laboratories and by other Federal agen-
cies via the Interagency Program.
POLLUTANT IDENTIFICATION PROJECTS
WITHIN EPA
• Develop methods and instruments
to measure energy-related pollu-
tants, including characterization
of pollutants introduced by new
energy technologies at specific
19
-------
!$,,>..>••:/•';;:'* " ."^&f
-------
western energy resource sites.
Special attention is given to
pollutants from coal gasification
and liquefaction plants, coal
mining operations, oil shale
processing and geothermal energy
projects. The research products
will be used to develop and as-
sess treatment processes, iden-
tify toxic wastes, establish
monitoring programs and develop
identification and measurement
techniques.
Demonstrate the effectiveness of
overhead remote sensing and photo-
graphic techniques to monitor en-
vironmental aspects of energy
related activities. Emphasis is
on coal mining, oil and gas ex-
traction and oil shale extraction.
Results will include data on im-
pacts of mining and oil and gas
extraction on land use, surface
disruption, surface water, vegeta-
tion and visibility. Geographical
emphasis is on the western U.S.
with the objective of establish-
ing a baseline for key parameters
in this region, especially, Four
Corners area, oil shale region
(Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Nor-
thern Great Plains).
Provide direct technical assist-
ance, application of R&D, devel-
opment of methods and quality as-
surance for major process meas-
urements in areas of the OEMI
program where highly specialized
expertise or proprietary devices
are needed. Specific outputs
include: technical manuals for
sampling and analysis of reduced
inorganic species and organic
substances, measurement systems
for high temperature, high pres-
sure sampling, and a technical
manual for fugitive emissions
sampling.
Analyze ash, sludge, slag and ef-
fluent water from energy related
activities for toxic substances
including trace elements. Iden-
tify specific chemical form of
toxic substances, particularly
hydrocarbon compounds, carcino-
genic organics, inorganic com4*
pounds and toxic elements, as
well as their compounds. Empha-
sis is on low level concentration
of toxic substances and their
paths into the environment.
• Develop compact, portable air
samplers as personal dosimeters
for use in measuring health ef-
fects in humans. Include in this
development the necessary labora-
tory instruments for analysis of
pollutants collected in the samp-
lers. Pollutants of interest
include: size fractionated par-
ticles, S02, trace metals and
particulate sulfur.
• Provide technical measurement
support for the Energy Research
and Development Administration
(ERDA) to assess the impact of
environmental radioactive contam-
ination from inactive uranium
mill tailings sites at Lakeview,
Oregon, Salt Lake City, Utah,
and Shiprock, New Mexico.
• Conduct research on the develop-
ment of techniques to monitor the
output of nuclear power facili-
ties. This research will be car-
ried out in the vicinity of newly
operating nuclear plants with the
objective of developing techniques
applicable to new reactors in-
cluding breeder reactors. Empha-
sis is on plutonium monitoring
techniques.
POLLUTANT IDENTIFICATION PROJECTS
IN OTHER AGENCIES. Interagency agree-
ments formulated between EPA's OEMI and
other Federal agencies in the pollutant
identification area include the follow-
ing projects:
20
-------
FIGURES
FY 1975
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
OF ENERGY USE
(2.5%)
INTEGRATED:-
TECHNOLOGY
ASSESSMENT ':
8.2%
(5.7%)
POLLUTANT
IDENTIFICATION
19.3%
(6_3o/o)
(22%) ;:::•:
1
fe
;V\ 1
: HEA
TRANSPORT PROCESSES
AND ECOLOGICAL
EFFECTS
38.50/
(15.5%) xjfjjHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
>^i::j::::i:i:::ji:::::i:i:::i::i(230
^^ " ^iti^*XICI^'I!!!tt"*!!(IX!!"
^L .,
^^< ... ........»,•.
^t, ...!!!....!!!.. ,mi..i*^r^
LTH \iiniiiiii
• EFFECTS \;iiiii
: 34%
M90/.I
iiiiii
o);::
iiiii-
iiiiii
iiiiii
::::::
iiij/
ii
iiiik
!iil!!!\
iiiiiiiiiiiii'
iiiiiiiiiiiiij
•'•'/
INTERAGENCY R&D PROGRAM ($53 MILLION)
I IEPA
INTERAGENCY
21
-------
FIGURE 7
FY 1976
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
OF ENERGY USE
(2.4%
INTEGRATED:
TECHNOLOGY:
\ ASSESSMENT :
8.2%
::'-':'::.::\ (5.8%)
TRANSPORT PROCESSES
AND ECOLOGICAL
EFFECTS
39.6%
POLLUTANT.
IDENTIFICATION X;.'
20.2%
HEALTH
EFFECTS
32.0%
INTERAGENCY
R&D PROGRAM ($41.3 MILLION)*
* DOES NOT INCLUDE $2.9 MILLION IN PROGRAM MANAGEMENT FUNDS.
I I EPA
INTERAGENCY
22
-------
Provide surface and groundwater
monitoring techniques on the ef-
fects of coal mining from actual
and potential mining sites across
the United States. Selected
sites are in the vicinity of
Black Mesa, Arizona, Centralia,
Washington, Tennessee (strip min-
ing) , Southeastern Ohio, South-
eastern Illinois, Indiana (strip
mining), and Alaskan coal re-
serves. [Performing agency:
Department of Interior (DOI),
U.S. Geological Survey, Water
Resources Division]
Develop instrumentation for sam-
pling, measuring and monitoring
water pollutants and sediments
related to energy development,
with emphasis on petrochemicals
and coal mining. (DOI, U.S.
Geological Survey, Water Re-
sources Division)
Groundwater monitoring to develop
geochemical, chemical and physi-
cal data regarding energy devel-
opment in EPA's Region VIII,
which includes the Northern
Great Plains area. Selected
sites for study are in the vicin-
ity of Piceance Creek Basin,
Colorado; Hayden and Craig, Colo-
rado (shallow aquifer system);
Tongue River, Decker, Montana;
Fort Union Formation between the
Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers
in Montana; Gascayne Mine, South-
west North Dakota; the oil shale
area of Utah; coal areas of Utah;
and the Gillette, Wyoming coal
basin. (DOI, U.S. Geological
Survey, Water Resources Divi-
sion)
Surface water monitoring to de-
velop data and a monitoring net-
work for areas in EPA's Region
VIII which are or will be subject
to energy development. The
planned surface water monitoring
network will traverse the Hayden-
Craig areas of Northwest Colorado;
oil shale areas of Colorado;
Yellowstone River Basin; Missouri
River Basic, North Dakota; energy
development areas in Utah, and
the Southern and Western areas
east of the Continental Divide.
(DOI, U.S. Geological Survey,
Water Resources Division)
• Develop advanced instrumentation
and methods for the measurement
and analysis of air pollutants
resulting from energy develop-
ments, including atmospheric
aerosols. Stress is on the de-
velopment of reliable and eco-
nomical field instrumentation
which will be tested through
associated field studies.
[Energy Research and Development
Administration (ERDA)]
• Develop instrumentation and meth-
ods for the measurement and anal-
ysis of energy-related effluents
including organics in water,
stressing carcinogens—and speci-
fic chemical analysis. (ERDA)
• Develop instrumentation and meth-
ods for analysis of pollutants in
water effluents from energy-
related sources. Emphasis is on
potential carcinogens and multi-
element analyses from oil shale,
oil refining, and geothermal
processes. (ERDA)
• Develop instrumentation needed
for health effects research, with
emphasis on energy-related aero-
sols and particulates as they di-
rectly affect health. The need
is most pronounced for develop-
ment of techniques to determine
the difference between fine par-
ticulates from eastern and west-
ern coal, to accurately repro-
duce aerosols of a specific size,
to determine the presence of
23
-------
carcinogenic organics and trace
metals in each particle size
fraction, and for the precise
identification of aerosols during
test exposures. (ERDA)
• Develop instruments and tech-
niques for measurement of envir-
onmental radiation created b y
emissions from facilities asso-
ciated with any part of the nu-
clear fuel cycle. Emphasis will
be on instrumentation systems
capable of making quantitative
distinctions between radioactive
iodine released in gaseous emis-
sions and in liquid effluents.
(ERDA)
• Develop standard reference mater-
ials for energy-related air pol-
lutants such as sulfur dioxide,
fine particulates and nitrogen
oxides to support the Inter-
agency Program's energy-related
air monitoring efforts. Simul-
taneously, work will proceed on
development of air instrumenta-
tion for sulfur pollution. [Na-
tional Bureau of Standards (NBS)]
• Develop standard reference mater-
ials for energy-related pollu-
tants in estuarine and fresh wa-
ter, with emphasis on heavy met-
als, petroleum drilling and re-
fining, and oil shale products.
This work supports the integrated
efforts to identify and control
environmental assaults stemming
from western energy development.
Work will also proceed on devel-
opment of water pollutant instru-
mentation for pollutants such as
hydrocarbons from power plants
and effluents from oil shale and
petroleum operations. (NBS)
• Develop standard reference mater-
ials for radiological pollutants
associated with nuclear energy
sources and production. (NBS)
• Develop instruments and methods
to characterize, measure and mon-
itor hazardous agents in the
energy-related workplace. Em-
phasis is on personal direct
reading monitors to take worker
breathing zone samples and de-
tect the presence of toxic chem-
ical substances, portable micro-
wave gas monitors sensitive
enough to selectively detect sev-
eral toxic or hazardous trace
contaminants in the air, personal
gas detection monitors for cold
environments for use along the
Trans-Alaskan Pipeline, and per-
sonal monitors to measure concen-
trations of fibrous aerosols, such
as fibrous glass, which will be
used more extensively due to en-
ergy conservation measures.
[National Institute of Occupa-
tional Safety and Health (NIOSH)]
• Improve procedures to isolate and
identify water-borne pollutants
associated with steam-fired elec-
tric power generation. Emphasis
will be on the study of acrolein,
heavy metals such as lead and cad-
mium, comparison of digestion
techniques for suspended and dis-
solved metals, arsenic, asbestos
and sulfates. [Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA)]
• Develop an integrated approach
for nuclear power plant radiologi-
cal surveillance, including the
development of uniform quality
assurance procedures. (TVA)
• Develop remote sensing instru-
ments to detect and monitor the
visible effects of SC>2 emissions
from coal-fired electric power
plants on vegetation. Low and
high altitude flight tests are
being conducted from NASA-
supplied aircraft to determine
the best instruments for detect-
ing S02 effects on Southern pine
24
-------
and deciduous hardwoods and soy-
beans. (TVA, with NASA collab-
oration)
• Identify the best instruments
and techniques for measurement
and monitoring of pollutants in
the ambient air from coal-fired
electric power plants. Emphasis
is on suspended particulates
which are analyzed for concen-
tration, size distribution and
elemental and chemical composi-
tion, e.g., sulfates, nitrates,
trace metals, etc. This work
supports ongoing and planned
studies on the health impacts of
suspended particulates since re-
cent research indicates that the
elemental and chemical composi-
tion of fine particulates changes
with particle size. (TVA)
• Develop water sampling system to
measure and monitor currents,
which might interfere with
energy-related equipment, and
hydrocarbons on the water sur-
face. [Department of Commerce
(DOC), National Oceanographic
and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), National Ocean Survey -
Engineering Development Labora-
tory]
• Develop techniques to forecast
concentrations and movement of
ocean oil spills using wind,
tides, waves, ocean floor topog-
raphy, and currents as indicators.
(DOC, NOAA, National Weather
Service - Techniques Development
Laboratory)
• Develop an automated instrument
system for shipboard monitoring
of atmospheric and surface ocean-
ographic data. (DOC, NOAA, Na-
tional Weather Service - Systems
Development Office)
• Develop standardized and inter-
calibrated techniques for marine
monitoring. (DOC, NOAA, National
Oceanographic Instrumentation
Center)
• Develop lidar techniques for
measuring particulate pollutants
from power plants and their at-
mospheric transport and disper-
sion. (DOC, NOAA)
• Provide meteorological assistance
to the EPA in describing and pre-
dicting air quality in the west-
ern United States from existing
or proposed energy resource ac-
tivities. (DOC, NOAA)
• Provide technical support for
overhead (aircraft and satellite)
remote sensing monitoring to es-
tablish current (baseline) envi-
ronmental quality of areas in the
western United States expected
to be impacted by energy develop-
ment. [National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA)]
• Develop and evaluate instruments
for remote and in situ sensing
of power plant plumes. (NASA)
• Develop and operate a data man-
agement system for interagency
energy-related marine and meteor-
ological programs. (DOC, NOAA,
Environmental Data Service)
TRANSPORT PROCESSES AND ECOLOGICAL EF-
FECTS
This section includes what were con-
sidered in the interagency report as two
separate functional areas—ecological
effects, and transport and fate. Because
transport is so closely related to eco-
system effects, combining them into one
overall discussion is a logical exten-
sion of their functional role.
25
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TRANSPORT PROCESSES. This area re-
fers to the transmission by air, water
and soil of pollutants and heat emitted
from energy operations from their sources
to their destination (fate) in man and
the environment. Additionally, it covers
any physical and chemical changes in the
pollutants occurring during transport.
Technologies under study in the
near-term are coal combustion, coal ex-
traction, oil shale, and coal gasifica-
tion and liquefaction. Emphasis in air
transport research is on conversion of
sulfur and nitrogen oxides—chiefly
from coal burning power plants—to sul-
fates and nitrates. Transport of
photochemical oxidants from various
sources is also emphasized. The ter-
restrial aspects of this research fo-
cus on the ecological impact of oxidants
and toxic metals from coal and oil-shale
mining processes. Some major Interagency
Program projects now underway in trans-
port processes are listed below:
EPA
TRANSPORT PROCESSES PROJECTS WITHIN
Evaluate existing ground-water
models needed to predict changes
in water flow and quality caused
by mining operations. In addi-
tion, establish background condi-
tions prior to mining and assess
the mineralogy of disturbed and
undisturbed overburden from sur-
face mining operations. The re-
sults of this research effort
will be used by regulatory agen-
cies and industry in attempting
to develop western coal resources
with minimum damage to the envi-
ronment .
Determine the dynamics of dis-
persion and dissipation in mar-
ine and estuarine waters and the
effects on marine and estuarine
organisms and long-term ecosys-
tem impacts of waste heat and
biocides derived from coastal
and off-shore power plants. De-
velop ecosystem models of the fate
and effects of thermal and bio-
cide discharges ranging from
simple planktonic assemblages to
controlled field studies.
Determine the transport and final
destination (fate) in the ecosys-
tem (both atmospheric and surface
and ground-waters) of single pol-
lutants and combinations of pol-
lutants associated with energy
development. Stress is placed
on: transformation of S02 and
NOX to sulfates and nitrates
in plumes from coal-fired power
plants, establishing a data base
to construct an air quality simu-
lation model for complex ter-
rains, formation and composition
of aerosols from energy technol-
ogy—including the contribution
of various energy sources to
aerosol concentrations in the am-
bient air.
Determine transformation products
formed by the interaction of
cooling tower plumes and stack
gases and their transport and
fate in the environment. De-
termine the effects of heat and
vapor discharge from large scale
cooling systems on local weather
such as near field fogging and
icing. Determine longer range
regional effects which might be
associated with source intensi-
fication such as power parks.
Determine, in marine and estuar-
ine waters, the origins, loads,
transport pathways, transfer
rates and fates of organic and
inorganic pollutants. The focus
is on metals resulting from oil
and gas extraction at offshore
wells, oil refinery waste dis-
charges and effluents from
coastal and offshore power plants.
26
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• Determine the fate of pollutants
released by pipeline spills in
the arctic environment. Perform
a problem assessment of the po-
tential nature and extent of the
impact on water quality and
aquatic and terrestial biota
from pipeline spills in the
arctic environment. Considera-
tions include transport pathways,
transformations, rates and fate
of pollutants, as well as heat
transfers.
• Develop primary data regarding
the transport and probable fate
of energy-related pollutants in
fresh surface water. Five spe-
cific pollutants are being stud-
ied in an attempt to develop
estimates of their pathways and
fate in aquatic systems.
TRANSPORT PROCESSES PROJECTS WITHIN
OTHER AGENCIES. Interagency agreements
formulated between OEMI and the partici-
pating agencies include the following
projects in the area of transport
processes:
• Characterize energy-related
atmospheric particulates at
Colstrip, Montana. (DOC, NOAA)
• Evaluate environmental impacts
of fuel extraction and transport
in arctic and subarctic regions,
with special emphasis on oil
spills, including persistence,
rate of decomposition in arctic
soil, and its effects on organ-
isms dependent upon arctic
ponds for survival. Another
aspect of the Alaskan oil pro-
gram is an evaluation of the
impact of pipeline construction
on aquatic habitats. (ERDA)
• Determine and assess transport
processes and environmental
effects of coal strip-mining ac-
tivties in the Northern Great
Plains, the Midwest, Appalachia,
and the Southwest. Included is
data accumulation and coordina-
tion, followup studies on pre-
viously reclaimed land, and re-
search on revegetation, soil
stabilization, and hydrology.
Another task under this project
is evaluation of the physical ef-
fects of mining operations, such
as soil erosion, exppsure of
toxic substances and ground water
disturbance. Other aspects of
the project are land management
and use, which includes informa-
tion for modeling before and
after mining, effects of mining
and power plant complexes on po-
tential land use and productiv-
ity, 'alternative of vegative
cover, and evaluation of conven-
tional land reclamation tech-
niques. (ERDA)
• Determine the transport and ef-
fects of trace contaminants from
coal combustion and processing
in the environment. Stress is
on information regarding the
persistence of these contam-
inants in the terrestrial and
fresh-water ecosystem, the rates
at which trace elements are ire-
introduced to the geochemical
pool, and the biological effects
of their introduction into the
biosphere. The project will in-
clude studies of soil absorption
of pollutant gases, evaluation
of fuel water disposal tech-
niques, and development of bio-
logical indicators to predict
ecological effects of energy-
related pollutants. (ERDA)
• Determine the thermal transport
and ecological effects of cool-
ing systems. An important part
of this project is an evaluation
of the weather modification
27
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effects of cooling towers for
nuclear power plants. The re-,
mainder of the project assesses
the ecological effects of pol-
lutants from cooling water
systems, including the effects
on aquatic organisms and se-
lected marine ecosystems of
chlorine, ozone and temperature.
(ERDA)
• Determine the transport and fate
of pollutants from offshore power
plants, concentrating on biocides
and anticorrosion agents rou-
tinely used in cooling systems,
and particulates—including
sediments—dispersed during
construction. The project is
being conducted off the Atlantic
Coast and the western coast of
Puerto Rico. (ERDA)
• Develop procedures for pre-
dicting atmospheric physical and
chemical transformation of emis-
sions from coal-fired electric
power plants and for predicting
the atmospheric transport and
dispersion of pollutants in
various situations, such as com-
plex terrain and coastal areas.
Chemical composition and phys-
ical behavior of power plant
plumes after wet stack gas
scrubbing is being studied, with
emphasis on rates of conversion
of SC-2 to sulfuric acid and
sulfate and on conversion of NO
and N02 to nitrates. (TVA)
• Evaluate and improve models used
for radiological impact assess-
ment of gaseous releases from
nuclear power plants. (TVA)
• Improve theoretical computer
models of thermal effluent dis-
persion and fluid mechanics at
critical locations in streams
and reservoirs. (TVA)
• Develop baseline information for
use in evaluating potential ef-
fects of coal-fired electric
power plant emissions on ter-
restrial ecosystems. Emphasis
is on sulfur oxides and nitrogen
oxides emissions in terms of
existing data, baseline needs,
dose-response relationships, and
transfer and fate. (TVA)
• Identify the fate and ecological
effects of atmospheric emissions
from cooling systems on terres-
trial habitats. Emphasis is on
emissions from mechanical and
natural draft cooling towers and
cooling lakes. (TVA)
• Determine the fate and environ-
mental effects of toxic metals
and petroleum hydrocarbons on
marine ecosystems and organisms.
(DOC, NOAA)
• Determine chemical and physical
characteristics of airborne pol-
lutants from power plants.
Criteria will be developed to
assess their effect on clouds,
precipitation, weather modifica-
tion and local radiation. (DOC,
NOAA)
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ENERGY SYSTEMS.
This area addresses the environmental
aspects of watershed (freshwater), marine
(ocean) and terrestrial ecosystems.
Near-term watershed studies concentrate
on coal development and extraction, oil
shale, and coal gasification and lique-
faction. Similarly, near-term marine
research is to establish background con-
taminant levels in both ocean-dwelling
organisms and their habitats. Research
will focus on a study of one major east-
ern United States coastal area, where
deepwater ports and oil rigs may be lo-
cated, in order to develop baseline data
for determining the effects on marine
life of deepwater ports, petroleum
28
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extraction and conversion operations, and
electric power plants.
EPA
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS PROJECTS WITHIN
• Determine the acute and chronic
toxicological effects on fresh-
water organisms and resultant
ecosystem impacts of organic and
inorganic pollutants and complex
effluents released by coal and
oil shale extraction and conver-
sion process. Identify gaps in
analytical techniques and data
required to complete the neces-
sary baseline information for
evaluating the potential effects
of coal and oil shale extraction
on freshwater ecosystems. Eval-
uate existing ecosystem models
for predicting the impact of
energy extraction and conversion
activities on freshwater eco-
systems and identify requirements
for further development.
• Determine the effects on marine
ecosystems of wastes, heat and
biocides from coastal and off-
shore power plants. Field in-
vestigations will be conducted
in the Chesapeake Bay area in
order to identify some of the
major pollutants—particularly
halogenated organic compounds—
formed in saline power plant
cooling waters. In addition,
the effects of chemicals from
power plant cooling water efflu-
ents on certain marine organisms
—such as decapod crustaceans
and mollusks—are to be studied.
• Determine the immediate and long-
term effects of waste heat in
surface waters of the Great Lakes
Basin on aquatic species and
community populations.
• Determine the effects of energy-
related thermal pollution in com-
bination with other pollutant
stresses on freshwater, marine/
estuarine and terrestrial organ-
isms and ecosystems.
For selected western arid and
grassland species, determine the
immediate and long-term dose-
response relationships for single
pollutants and combinations of
pollutants released by western
coal and oil shale extraction
and conversion and coal utiliza-
tion. Pollutants include SOX,
NOx, particulates and trace met-
als. Determine metabolic and
biochemical mechanisms and lethal
and chronic toxicity levels. De-
velop biological indices using
microcosm, greenhouse and field
studies. Evaluate existing eco-
system models for predicting the
impact of energy extraction, con-
version and utilization activities
on terrestrial ecosystems and
identify requirements for further
development.
• Develop models—for predictive
purposes—to assess the impact of
pollutants on natural fish popu-
lation patterns.
• Establish a major facility to
conduct large-scale simulation
studies of various ecosystems in
order to determine the impact of
pollutants from petroleum extrac-
tion, refineries and fossil fuel
use. An independent advisory
panel of U.S. scientists will be
consulted in planning the simula-
tion facility, which is expected
to provide immediately useful
answers on the relationships
between ecosystem response and
heretofore traditional bioassays
in order to support regulatory
and planning activities.
• Determine the toxicity to near
shore marine organisms of petro-
chemicals and energy-related
29
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organic solvents from offshore
energy activities and ocean
dumping.
ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS PROJECTS WITHIN
OTHER AGENCIES. In addition, the follow-
ing interagency agreements have been
formulated in the area of ecological ef-
fects of energy systems:
• Develop and implement a rapid,
reliable and economic method of
identifying and characterizing
wildlife habitat in areas af-
fected by coal development.
Emphasis is on food, cover,
breeding and other critical re-
quirements for maintenance of
wildlife species. [U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) Office
of Biological Services]
• Evaluate the physiological,
toxicological and ecological ef-
fects of oil on birds, specif-
ically ducks. The project is
assessing the effects of oil on
reproduction and survival. It
is developing a chemical metho-
dology for analyzing duck tis-
sues for oil. Initial studies
on sea birds are planned. (U.S.
FWS)
• Develop methodology and charac-
terize major coastal ecosystems,
with emphasis on fish and wild-
life affected by offshore oil
and gas development. The project
focus is on Southwest Louisiana,
Puget Sound and the coast of
Georgia. (U.S. FWS, Office of
Biological Services)
• Conduct a forum to identify
impacts on the quantity and
quality of western waters and
the specific fish and wildlife
problems and research needs re-
sulting from energy development
in the Upper Colorado River
Basin. (U.S. FWS, Office of Bio-
logical Services)
• Conduct conference on research
needs regarding effects of energy
development on water and associ-
ated ecosystems in the Upper
River Basin. (U.S. FWS, Office
of Biological Services)
e Determine water quantity needs of
fish and wildlife in the Upper
Colorado and Upper Missouri River
Basins. The project is to es-
tablish in-stream flow require-
ments necessary to maintain the
viability of all the fish and
wildlife species present at
specific locations. (U.S. FWS,
Office of Biological Services)
• Determine baseline concentra-
tions, transport and biological
effects of organic and inor-
ganic pollutants released in
coastal waters as a result of
offshore oil drilling and re-
finery operations. Specific
studies are to be made on trans-
port and dispersal of wastes
from oil refineries in fresh-
water (Lake Michigan) and estu-
arine waters (Puerto Rico) and
in sites along the Pacific
coast (Santa Barbara and Puget
Sound). (ERDA)
• Determine the effects on marine
ecosystems of toxic agents as-
sociated with non-nuclear energy
technologies. Particular empha-
sis is on transport, accumulation
and excretion of heavy metals,
hydrocarbons and pesticides on
marine organisms and mammals in-
habiting both cold and warm
waters. In addition, analysis
is being made of carcinogenic
effects of petroleum hydrocarbons
on marine and estuarine organisms.
[National Institutes of Environ-
mental Health Sciences (NIEHS)]
• Determine the effectiveness of
land treatment programs in re-
storing the ecological balance
30
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of a watershed disturbed by
toxic spoils after coal strip
mining. Evaluate the rate and
degree of recovery of such a sys-
tem following intensive remedial
land treatment. (TVA)
• Develop baseline information on
thermal impacts on freshwater
shellfish, insects, and other
biota in order to assess environ-
mental stress. Recommend intake
designs for condenser cooling
water systems of steam electric
power plants which would most
effectively prevent entrainment
of zooplankton. (TVA)
• Investigate and assess strip
mine drainage water quality,
with special emphasis on trace
inorganics in acid mine drain-
age. Include an evaluation of
wastewater treatment and reclama-
tion processes. (TVA)
• Determine to what extent anthro-
pod pests, chiefly mosquitoes,
are breeding in coal strip mine
pools. Focus is on age of pools,
physical, chemical and biological
characteristics, and evaluation
of control methods. (TVA)
• Assess environmental impacts of
strip mining in the Northern
Great Plains, including related
airborne pollutants. Emphasize
water quality as it relates to
forest, range and freshwater eco-
systems. Evaluate technologies
for redepositing and stabilizing
mine spoils in terms of main-
taining water quality at accep-
table levels for aquatic orga-
nisms and wildlife. (Department
of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Ser-
vice)
• Determine existing environmental
status of Northern Puget Sound
and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
in order to characterize, mon-
itor, and predict pollutant im-
pacts from adjacent refineries.
(DOC, NOAA)
• Determine effects of revegetation
and reclamation of land areas
distributed by mining. Include
development of a reclamation plan
before initiation of mining oper-
ations to characterize properties
of spoils and overburden material
and to recommend soil and plant
management practices, evaluation
of the quantity of water leaving
the mined land areas, use of re-
claimed land for production of
specialty or economically impor-
tant crops such as buckwheat,
alfalfa, clovers, and grasses,
and evaluation of strip mine
reclamation practices on the
nutritional quality of crops
grown on treated soil material.
(Department of Agriculture,
Agricultural Research Service)
• Describe existing ecosystem in
active oil fields near Galveston,
Texas, in order to determine
changes in a natural marine
ecosystem due to an oil field.
An oil spill trajectory model
capable of predicting the path
and ultimate fate of a spill for
particular conditions (wind,
tides, currents, temperatures)
will be developed. (DOC, NOAA)
• Determine the effect of mine
spoils and pollutants on native
vegetation in semiarid regions.
(Department of Agriculture,
Cooperative State Research Ser-
vice)
• Assess and model the effects of
surface mining methods, spoil
characteristic and reclamation
on surface and subsurface hydro-
logy, with particular emphasis
31
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on crops and tree growth. Con-
duct experiments with fast-
growing trees to determine the
economic feasibility of wood
crops on mine spoils. (Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Cooperative
State Research Service)
HEALTH EFFECTS
The health effects program examines
possible carcinogenic mutagenic, terato-
genic and respiratory effects on humans
from increased energy production. New
information about previously unanticipa-
ted pollutants related to fossil fuel
combustion and their effects receives
particular attention. Listed below are
salient Interagency Program energy-
related health effects program projects
already underway:
HEALTH EFFECTS PROJECTS WITHIN EPA
• Examine human exposure to aerosol
pollutants from coal conversion
and/or utilization. Develop in-
strumentation for measuring aero-
sol pollutants. Subsequent to
implementation of measurement
techniques, begin to determine
health effects in communities
where major pollutant emissions
are expected to change greatly
due to coal conversion or utili-
zation. Examine exposure to pol-
lutants such as sulfates, ni-
trates, and trace metals in terms
of behavioral, physiologic, and
metabolic effects. Special at-
tention will be given to certain
high-risk populations: asthmat-
ics, high-risk patients in a
metropolitan area (Chicago),
communities in immediate proxi-
mity to a new coal-fired power
plant before and during operation
of the plant, communities in
the immediate vicinity of a new
coal gasification plant before
and during operation of the
plant, and populations with long-
term exposure to emissions from
coal combustion.
• Assess the effects on human
health of exposure to various
energy-related hazardous substan-
ces in the air, land, and water.
Emphasis will be on pollutants
from coal, oil shale, and syn-
thetic fuel technologies. These
substances are assessed singly
and in combination. Studies
address health effects of expo-
sure to heavy metals—including
nickel, cadmium, lead, arsenic,
chromium, mercury, manganese,
and vanadium—as well as toxic
organic chemicals released from
fuel combustion and conversion
processes and present in water.
Stress is on the toxicological,
biological, genetic and other
biomedical aspects of subchronic
and chronic exposures to these
substances.
e Determine the human health haz-
ards of exposure to organic chem-
icals which reach man through the
food chain of the marine
environment.
• Determine, under controlled ex-
perimental conditions, human
exposure-effects relationships.
Research will assess the in-
fluence on the human cardiopul-
monary system of sulfuric acid
mist exposure, both alone and in
combination with other environ-
mental influences (such as oxi-
dants). In order to conduct
this research, a clinical expo-
sure laboratory is being devel-
oped.
• Develop and apply certain indi-
cators to determine biological
damage from exposure to pollutants
related to energy development.
32
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Emphasis is on comparing the
harmful effects of various gases
and particulates—NO and N02,
nitrates, and sulfuric acid—
alone and combined with various
known carcinogens (with the pos-
sibility of nitrosamine develop-
ment) . In addition, research
will analyze whether the presence
of environmental pollutants—such
as fibrous amphibole, asbestos
and fine particles—has a car-
cinogenic effect combined with
effluents from coal gasification,
liquefaction, and shale oil dev-
elopment. Other areas of re-
search include an assessment of
the effects of respirable parti-
.cles, gases and mists to de-
termine pulmonary irritation
(using donkeys and bronchial
casts of donkeys and man), the
influence of inhalation of acid
aerosols, sulfuric acid mist,
803, HN03, and particles on the
production of chronic lung
disease (using rats, guinea pigs,
and primates), and the cytotoxi-
city of selected sulfates, in-
cluding a determination of the
effect of sulfuric acid and in-
haled particles on a host's de-
fense system against pulmonary
infection.
• Evaluate health effects of ex-
posure to indoor pollutants re-
lated to energy conversation
measures in homes and offices.
Research efforts focus on
identifying health effects of in-
door emission sources as well as
pollutant infiltration in homes
and offices subject to stringent
energy conservation measures.
Subsequently, the most hazardous
pollutants will be determined in
a priority order. In addition,
specific attention will be
focused on the health effects
from N02, CO, and certain hydro-
carbons .
• Identify the hazards to human
health of chronic, low-level eX-
QC ^
posure to OJKr and H related to
nuclear energy production. Rats
are used to assess the °^Kr skin
cancer dose-effect, dose-rate
response. In addition, guinea
pigs and rats are used to evaluate
the effects of acute and chronic
exposure to ^Kr on lung func-
tion. Finally, the behavioral
and neurophysiologic effects of
chronic, low-level exposure to
lead and tritium are being ex-
amined.
HEALTH EFFECTS 'RESEARCH WITHIN OTHER
AGENCIES. The following projects, funded
through the Interagency Program, are
also underway as part of the energy-
related health effects program.
• Identify carcinogenic, mutagenic,
teratogenic and physiologically
or metabolically toxic agents
related to coal and oil shale
extraction, conversion or utili-
zation. This broad project uses
existing and new biological
screening and testing systems to
identify the potentially most
toxic agents, which will then be
further tested in experimental
animals to confirm the biological
hazard. Resultant information
will be used in assessing and
predicting risks to man in both
the occupational and general en-
vironment. (ERDA)
• Develop more sensitive and rapid
indicators to determine damage to
man from toxic agents associated
with the fuel cycle for coal and
oil shale. (ERDA)
• Determine movement—incorporation,
metabolism, deposition and
retention—in mammals of hazardous
agents associated with coal and
oil shale processes. Early work
addresses inhalation as the
33
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route of entry, but later projects
will assess entry via the skin or
gastrointestinal tract. (ERDA)
• Evaluate the tnutagenic and tera-
togenic effects of different
doses and combinations of biolog-
ically active agents associated
with fossil fuel processes, es-
pecially hydrocarbons and trace
and heavy metals. Mammalian
studies will be conducted to de-
termine the dose-effect relation-
ships for normal, susceptible
and stressed populations. (ERDA)
• Evaluate the short- and long-term
hazards of exposure of normal,
susceptible and stressed popula-
tions to different levels and
combinations of biologically
active agents associated with
coal and oil shale processes,
such .as N02, S02, CO and fly ash.
Analysis will focus on the dose-
effect relationship for inhalation
of gaseous and particulate pol-
lutants from these processes in
order to obtain information on
respiratory and cardiovascular
dysfunction. (ERDA)
• Evaluate the short- and long-term
effects on various populations—
normal, susceptible, stressed--
of exposure to different levels
and combinations of biologically
active agents associated with
coal and oil shale processes.
The dose-effect relationship for
carcinogenicity will be empha-
sized. (ERDA)
• Determine the fundamental molecu-
lar and cellular damage and re-
pair processes in biological
systems exposed to hazardous
agents, chiefly toxic trace
metals and hydrocarbons, as-
sociated with coal and oil shale
processes. Emphasis will be on
the capability of living human
and animal cells to repair
molecular lesions. (ERDA)
• Determine mammalian tissue repair
processes after damage from ex-
posure to energy-related pollu-
tants. In addition, the project
will attempt to develop methods
to counteract cellular injury
from such exposure or to remove
the hazardous agents from ex-
posed individuals. Research will
focus on evaluating both the
sensitivity of those mammalian
tissues whose function is nor-
mally maintained by high cell
turnover and replacement ef-
ficiency, such as the lining of
the lungs and intestines, and
interference with the cell re-
placement process as a function
of exposure to doses of hazardous
agents replaced in fossil fuel
processes. (ERDA)
• Develop physiological indicators
to measure genetic damage to man
from toxic agents associated with
non-nuclear energy technologies.
Emphasis will be given to tests
designed to identify and quantify
a variety of toxic agents.
(NIEHS)
• Determine how non-nuclear energy-
related toxic agents are incor-
porated, metabolized, deposited
and removed from mammals. At-
tempts will be made to correlate
laboratory animal and human
clinical data in order to predict
toxic effects in humans due to
exposure to hydrocarbons from
coal and oil shale processes.
(NIEHS)
• Characterize the processes in-
volved in transfer of non-nuclear
energy-related toxic agents from
particulates to body tissues and
fluids in mammals. The relation-
ship between particle size and
34
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chemical composition to deposi-
tion sites, persistence and re-
moval rates will be emphasized.
Initial studies will concentrate
on lead, cadmium, nickel and
benzopyrene in respirable aero-
sols. (NIEHS)
• Determine dose-response relation-
ships for biochemical and toxic
effects of energy-related agents
from non-nuclear processes.
Major organ toxicity will be as-
sessed as well as predictive
clinical signs and reversible
toxic lesions. This project
should assist in correlation of
laboratory animal and human
toxicity data and development of
improved predictive toxicity
tests. (NIEHS)
• Determine dose-effect relation-
ships for mutagenic agents re-
lated to non-nuclear energy
processes. Mutation tests on
selected laboratory animals with
proven sensitivity will be used
to assess time-dose relation-
ships. An additional aspect of
this project will be compilation
and critical evaluation of all
existing data on mutagenicity of
energy-related pollutants.
(NIEHS)
• Develop and test models and con-
cepts to extrapolate cellular and
animal data to man for low dose
risk estimates from all energy-
related toxic agents. (NIEHS)
• Identify cellular damage from
toxic agents associated with non-
nuclear energy processes. In-
cluded in this project is a
study to assess the effect of
environmental pollutants on non-
respiratory lung functions, such
as its ability to modify a num-
ber of circulating vasoactive
chemicals. (NIEHS)
• Determine the relationship of
metabolism and fate and the toxi-
cology of particulates and
organic compounds as they affect
workers associated with coal
technologies. (NIOSH)
• Identify and evaluate occupa-
tional health problems relating
to extraction, processing, and
utilization of energy resources,
and energy conservation. Areas
for study include mortality of
former oil shale workers and
epidemiological studies of
workers dealing with insulation
materials, coal liquefaction and
gasification, sulfates, coal-
fired steam generating plants,
etc. The project should result
in recommendations for improved
work practices or for exposure
levels deemed safe for various
employment periods. (NIOSH)
• Determine dose-effect relation-
ships for nonlethal levels of
some energy-related toxic pol-
lutants which produce temporary
or permanent changes in mental
or physiological performance.
(NIOSH)
• Develop and test engineering
controls and work practices to
protect workers from the effects
of hazardous agents in the
energy fuel cycle. (NIOSH)
INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Performing the crucial role of re-
lating the outputs of each program area
into a comprehensive whole, integrated
technology assessment uses research
results from all the other functional
areas—pollutant identification, ecolog-
ical effects and transport processes,
health effects and control technology
(as described in Chapter 3. Other
35
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factors, such as socio-economic impacts,
are included in the technology assess-
ment process. The development of com-
prehensive environmental protection
standards for energy-related activities
will be based on coordinating information
received under this program. These as-
sessments include analyses of a specific
component of a fuel source cycle as well
as of all components for a particular
source. Integrated technology assessments
will also be performed on a large scale
across several energy sources in order
to provide an information base for broad
policy decisions which must be addressed
on an interagency basis. Four major
tasks are currently underway in EPA's in-
tegrated technology assessment program:
• Develop new methods and adapt
existing methods of integrating
energy-related environment re-
search information with relevent
socio-economic factors in order
to develop environmental policies
to cope with new energy tech-
nologies and expanding resource
development. Special emphasis
will be given to the use of
existant research on technology
currently implemented by the Of-
fice of Technology Assessment,
the Energy Research and Develop-
ment Administration, the Na-
tional Science Foundation, and
other Federal agencies as well
as by the private sector—in a
methodology that can be used by
Federal agencies in their
decisionmaking functions.
• Assess the current state of
knowledge about fine particulate/
aerosol emissions, atmospheric
chemistry and transport, and
health and ecological effects.
This assessment will determine
the best strategies for reduc-
tion of ambient concentrations
in a manner most protective of
public health and welfare. A
review will be conducted of the
adequacy of present research
efforts in the light of these
strategies.
Conduct Integrated Technology
Assessments (ITA's) to cope with
the broad problems associated
with regional energy development
and emerging energy technologies.
There are currently two major
ITA's dealing with western en-
ergy resource development and
electric utilities. The objec-
tive of the regional ITA is to
assess the environmental, social,
and economic costs and benefits
associated with various levels
of development—and with rele-
vant environmental controls—in
terms of alternative energy re-
source development scenarios.
The objective of the technology-
oriented ITA is to determine the
most effective environment con-
trols necessary, as well as to
identify the means for implement-
ing these controls. Finally, '
each ITA will evaluate the ongo-
ing and planned research program
relevant to its concern and
make recommendations for possible
improvement. The western energy
resource development and electric
utility ITA's are underway.
Other possible areas for study
include: petroleum and natural
gas production in Outer Conti-
nental Shelf areas, selected
synthetic fuel conversion proc-
esses operating with varying
levels of environmental controls,
Ohio River Basin development as
the coal conversion center for
the central and eastern U.S.,
massive implementation of energy
conservation measures, geothermal
energy development and total im-
pacts of surface and underground
coal extraction techniques in
all of the nation's coal areas.
36
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• Utilize models and data for en-
vironmental assessment of energy
supply/demand alternatives. In-
cluded in this effort is a modi-
fication of the Strategic Envi-
ronmental Assessment System
(SEAS) programming to assess the
impact of alternate fuel trajec-
tory mixes.
The interagency projects included
in the integrated technology assessment
program are:
• Determine and evaluate the eco-
nomic, social and cultural ef-
fects of expanded coal and oil
shale development, with par-
ticular emphasis on western
development. The studies will
focus on the impacts on employ-
ment, income and population,
agriculture, non-metropolitan
areas, rural people, communi-
ties and industries, the costs
and techniques of reclamation,
and local government finances
and services. (Department of
Agriculture, Economic Research
Service)
• Assessment of human population
growth related to energy devel-
opment in the southwestern
United States. Particular atten-
tion will be devoted to "new
towns," impacts on wildlife in
selected residential development
and ecological situations, and
extrapolation of results to en-
compass the entire Southwest
with concommitant policy and
institutional suggestions. (U.S,
FWS, Office of Biological
Services)
• Survey the extent and location
of unallocated water in the
eleven western states by spec-
ific location within each drain-
age. (U.S. FWS, Office of Bio-
logical Services)
• Historical summary and analysis
of environmental aspects of the
Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Emphasis
will be given to both governmental
and private institutions estab-
lished to meet the environmental
requirements of the pipeline.
(U.S. FWS, Office of Biological
Services)
• Set the value for fish and wild-
life in each area of potential
energy development. Current
and potential status of fish and
wildlife will be set, and waters
in these areas will be ranked
according to value in fish and
wildlife terms. (U.S. FWS, Office
of Biological Services)
• Coordinate the design of a
national network for environ-
mental research and development
information. The specific ob-
jective of this project is to
improve national use of exist-
ing facilities. (ERDA)
• Develop an economic projection
model to assist in assessing an
area's sensitivity to various
national economic parameters;
to quantify the impacts on popu-
lation, the labor force, employ-
ment, etc. of an incremental
expansion to the energy generat-
ing system; and to provide a
macroeconomic data base on a re-
gional level to support site
specific analyses. (TVA)
• Develop a model—in conjunction
with the regional economic simu-
lation model described above—
to predict the residual output
of a power system on a plant-by-
plant basis. The model will be
capable of providing data for
detailed dispersion models for
evaluation of power system ex-
pansion. (TVA)
37
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• Determine the energy, economic
and social impacts of energy
conservation measures for
characteristic residences in
ten geographical areas. (Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Devel-
opment, Program Development
Research)
• Integrated assessment of the
mixed-oxide fuel cycle (recy-
cling of plutonium in light
water reactors) as the basis for
comparison with other nuclear
fuel cycles and equivalent non-
nuclear electric power. Consid-
eration will be given to semi-
quantitative estimates of major
uncertainties such as ecologi-
cal effects of the entire fuel
cycle, and to estimates of var-
iations in population exposure
to effluents in order to make a
cost/risk/benefit analysis.
(ERDA)
Develop and demonstrate use of
computer graphics for environ-
mental analyses of single and
combined nuclear, fossil, and
hydroelectric energy generating
systems. The demonstration
should use both site-specific
and regional applications of the
computer graphics employing
large data bases with a broad
range of planning variables.
Combined use of the three models
on which TVA is working should
provide rapid information for
planning, siting and operating
a regional energy system. (TVA)
38
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CHAPTER 3
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAM
-------
CHAPTER 3
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
The Office of Energy, Minerals, and
Industry has initiated the implementation
of an $81 million FY 1975 program based
upon the interagency task force report
on Environmental Control Technology for
Energy Systems described in Chapter 1,
and is now completing the process of
giving final approval to the interagency
plans for the $57 million FY 1976
program. In support of a streamlined
planning process, the nine program cate-
gories examined by the task force
working group have been simplified, by
function, into four major subchapters—
Extraction and Beneficiation, Fossil
Fuel Combustion, Synthetic Fuels, and
Advanced Systems and Conservation. These
changes are illustrated below, with the
Interagency Task Force categories on the
left mapped into the new, functionally-
oriented planning areas on the right.
As illustrated, the nine categories
originally used by the task force have
been telescoped into the four new program
areas. The importance of R&D to ensure
environmentally sound near-term coal
development and use is evident; nearly
75 percent of FY 1975 control technology
funds were allocated for research in
coal or coal-related areas. Figure 9
shows the comparable funding distribu-
tion for the FY 1976 program.
As can be seen from the two figures,
the $55.8 million FY 1976 control tech-
nology program, relative to FY 1975,
reflects a considerable shift of emphasis
within major program areas. For instance,
within the fossil fuel combustion area,
resources are being shifted away from
flue gas desulfurization (FGD). This is
due to the fact that the FY 1975 funds
Interagency Task Force
Energy Resource Extraction-
Physical/Chemical Coal Cleaning-
Flue Gas Cleaning-
Direct Combustion-
Synthetic Fuels-
Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Thermal Waste Control
Improved Efficiency
Advanced Systems
Functional Planning Areas (Subchapters)
-Extraction and Beneficiation
-Fossil Fuel Combustion
•Synthetic Fuels
Advanced Systems and Conservation
Figure 8 shows proportional distri-
bution of FY 1975 funding allocations
for the $81 million control technology
budget.
supported two major FGD demonstration
projects. These projects should
adequately demonstrate proven FGD tech-
nology in both the regenerable and the
39
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-------
non-regenerable areas. Emphasis in
FY 1976 shifts toward NOX control tech-
nology, especially combined (NOX, SOX)
systems, and toward fluidized bed
combustion and synthetic fuels. Emphasis
on NOX control for stationary sources is
increasing in order to adjust for the
relaxation of the NOX automotive stand-
ards. Both fluidized bed combustion and
synthetic fuels environmental research
and development are being increased due
to the probability that these technolo-
gies will see widespread use in the U.S.
over the midterm period.
Details of the Interagency Program
including accomplishments planned for
FY 1976 and beyond, both within the
EPA and in other Federal agencies
receiving Interagency funds, follow:
EXTRACTION AND BENEFICIATION
The overall objectives of this
program are to enable a rapid increase
in extraction of domestic energy
resources and to enable these energy
sources to be utilized effectively in an
environmentally compatible manner. This
subchapter is divided into the two
Interagency Program areas—resource
extraction and physical/chemical coal
cleaning.
RESOURCE EXTRACTION. The resource
extraction program assesses potential
environmental problems and control
methods for underground and surface coal
mining, oil shale extraction, and
exploration for and recovery of domestic
inland and offshore oil and gas. The
chief goal of this program is to provide
data and analysis to assure that com-
mercial extraction operations can be
conducted with adequate land reclamation
and minimal damage to water quality and
supply. Offshore oil and gas efforts
focus on projecting pollutant dis-
charges, assessing control technologies,
and ensuring the protection and
restoration of ocean shorelines. Prob-
lems of western surface coal and oil
shale mining are receiving particular
attention because of both the profound
impact such mining may have on arid
lands and the enormous potential
energy reserves in the West. The pro-
gram examines problems of revegetating
arid mine land in the West, and the
impact on ground water of disruption
of natural drainage contours and of
aquifers in the coal seams. Program
efforts also focus on problems of under-
ground coal mining such as acid mine
drainage and methods for closing down
abandoned mines.
Portions of the overall program are
being carried out with assistance from
and in coordination with other agencies,
including the Bureau of Mines and the
Department of Agriculture.
RESOURCE EXTRACTION PROJECTS WITHIN
EPA. The EPA energy resource extraction
program already underway includes these
areas:
• Demonstrating and evaluating new
surface mining technology for the
eastern United States. Iv.
addition, research is being con-
ducted on available technology
to reduce environmental damage
from abandoned coal surface
mines. A result of this effort
will be a manual of practice to
be used by industry, state and
federal agencies, and training
institutions.
• Developing effective methods for
reducing or preventing harmful
environmental effects caused by
underground coal mining in the
eastern U.S. The objective
of this research is to create
permanent solutions to prevent
environmental damage as opposed
to relatively short-term treat-
ment technology. Emphasis is
40
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FIGURE 8
FY 1975
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
FOR ENERGY SYSTEMS
ADVANCED
SYSTEMS &
CONSERVATION
14.4%
EXTRACTION
& BENEFICATION
10.5%
(4.27%) i:::::i: :::i| Wm^t±^
SSSSS SYNTHETIC
W£££ FUELS
10.5%
*v FOSSIL FUEL
£ COMBUSTION
64.6%
INTERAGENCY
R&D PROGRAM ($81 MILLION)
I I
INTERAGENCY
41
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FIGURES
FY 1976
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
FOR ENERGY SYSTEMS
(1.7%)
ADVANCED SYSTEMS &
CONSERVATION
14.7%
EXTRACTION
&
17.5%
SYNTHETIC
FUELS
10.7%
FOSSIL FUEL
COMBUSTION
57.1%
IIMTERAGENCY
R&D PROGRAM ($55.8 MILLION)
J EPA
jl INTERAGENCY
42
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being given to effectiveness of
permeable seals, prevention of
acid mine drainage, groundwater
pollution problems associated
with underground coal mines, and
development of a manual of
practice for both abandoned and
active eastern underground mines.
Results of this effort will also
be extrapolated, when feasible,
for treatment techniques for
mine drainage from discharges
from oil shale, uranium, tar
sand, and other energy-related
solid fuels extractive indus-
tries.
Assessing and developing methods
to control environmental damage
resulting from transport of solid
fuels, such as unprocessed coal
removed from a small strip mining
operation and stockpiled before
delivery to a cleaning facility.
Rain water seeping through this
coal may produce sulfuric acid,
thus producing a highly acidic
effluent which can damage the
ecosystem of a receiving stream.
Other problems may arise at barge
loading facilities, where mechan-
ical conveyors moving processed
coal (with significant amounts of
finely ground particles) can
create large enough quantities of
dust to constitute an important
air and water pollution problem.
This program is expected to
produce techniques to minimize
the environmental disruption
caused by solid fuel transporta-
tion problems, such as those just
described. A manual of practice
to be used by government and
industry, with economic and
technological descriptions of the
various control measures, will be
developed.
Developing methods to prevent
pollution from active and aban-
doned western U.S. coal surface
and underground mines. Stress
is placed on techniques to
establish vegetation, control
surface and subsurface water,
reclamation in semiarid areas,
control of fugitive dust and
other air emissions, disposal
of solid waste, and treatment of
air and water discharges.
Evaluating and demonstrating
methods to control environmental
damage resulting from development
of oil shale and tar sands. The
Agency is working with other
federal, state, and local agen-
cies and industry to obtain
relevant information regarding
dust, water pollution, and solid
waste disposal, with special
emphasis in the near-term on the
problems of disposal of spent
oil shale. EPA's objective in
this program is to have on hand
sufficient environmental infor-
mation on oil shale and tar
sands development so that, as
economic and technical decisions
are made regarding these tech-
nologies, proper consideration
will be given to environmental
difficulties.
Developing methods to control and
to clean oil spills on land and
water, including limiting the
extent of contamination and
lessening environmentally damaging
effects. The project includes
evaluations of booms and skim-
mers for inland spills,
available open ocean spill con-
trol equipment for use at off-
shore platforms and deepwater
port facilities, new spill con-
trol equipment, proper disposal
of oil spill generated debris/
sorbents, incineration of oil-
soaked debris/sorbent and dis-
persant, and surface collecting
agents for oil spill control.
An annual national conference on
43
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oil spill control is being orga-
nized in order to disseminate
information.
• Developing techniques to protect
and restore shorelines contami-
nated by oil spills, including
ocean, estuarine, inland river
and lake, and cold climate
(chiefly Alaska) waterfronts.
• Developing and demonstrating
control technology to minimize
adverse environmental effects
from the installation and
operation of offshore oil and
gas production facilities,
including offshore platforms,
pipelines, and other transporta-
tion systems, and onshore
termination facilities.
• Developing cost-effective methods
to treat recovered oil/water
mixtures, bilge and ballast
water at onshore reception
facilities, including existing
ports and planned deepwater
ports.
• Developing guidelines to mini-
mize environmental harm during
secondary and tertiary oil and
gas production. Although the
guidelines are being developed
primarily for onshore operation,
they will have offshore applica-
tions as well.
• Developing spill control tech-
niques and equipment for the on-
shore storage and transport of
LNG and LPG.
• Developing techniques to control
environmental damage from ura-
nium extraction by expanding
existing mining control tech-
nology and by developing controls
unique to uranium mining. Prob-
lems of abandoned as well as
active mines are being addressed,
and the resulting information
will be disseminated in a manual
of practice for government and
industry use.
RESOURCE EXTRACTION PROJECTS
WITHIN OTHER AGENCIES. Those parts of
the resource extraction control tech-
nology program to be carried out
through interagency agreements are:
• Developing a report on alterna-
tive technologies which may
effectively control effluents and
wastes from eastern U.S. coal
strip mining operations, with
emphasis on groundwater effects
and sedimentation problems. The
project will include development
of a statistical and descriptive
correlation between sites for
testing these environmental con-
trol technologies and their
effectiveness in order to delin-
eate specific controls for
specific site needs. (ERDA)
Developing a report on plant
materials to improve technologies
for reclamation of surface mined
lands. The effort includes
preparing a technical handbook
on revegetating surface mined
lands and spoils in the eastern
U.S. Particular emphasis is being
given to arid and semiarid regions
of the West, including investiga-
tions of plants best suited for
mine spoil reclamation under
various site conditions, plants
for erosion control and mined
land reclamation, and equipment
for seed collection, processing,
and planting. (Department of
Agriculture, Soil Conservation
Service)
Developing guidelines and crite-
ria for technologies to control
harmful effects of mining on
forest, range, and related
44
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freshwater ecosystems. The
project is to include recommenda-
tions for overburden drilling,
analysis, and placement in rela-
tion to the ecosystem; revegeta-
tion following coal and oil shale
mining; use of nonmine wastes
to enrich the soil on coal and
oil shale spoils; and publication
of a technical handbook on
revegetation on eastern mined
lands. (Department of Agricul-
ture, Forest Service)
Demonstrating and assessing reve-
getation and reclamation of mined
lands. The project evaluates
the following control technolo-
gies: (1) utilization of waste
material such as sewage sludge,
composted garbage or sewage, and
fly ash in revegetation and
reclamation of strip mine areas,
with special attention devoted
to the effects of these wastes
on water quality, reclamation
efficiency, plant growth and
quality; (2) development of
practices to counter instability
on mined lands due to high levels
of exchangeable sodium (West)
and steepness of terrain (East),
including methods such as regra-
ding and revegetation; (3) de-
velopment of stabilization and
restoration methods for areas
disturbed by oil shale and coal
mining in western Colorado and
Wyoming, with emphasis on grade
stabilizers, small dams, and
basins to hold water for irriga-
ting selected areas; and (4)
development of methods of
restoring and maintaining a
desirable microbial activity in
soil disturbed by strip mining,
including studies on deep place-
ment of fertilizers and other
soil enhancers. (Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural
Research Service)
• Providing quantitative informa-
tion on spoils from mining oper-
ations. The project includes
classification of topsoil, test
methods for useful classifica-
tion, determination of topsoil
reactions when placed on spoils,
and development of systems for
raising superior planting stocks
for use in spoil revegetation.
(Department of Agriculture,
Cooperative State Research
Service)
• Developing methods of soil and
water management and revegetation
technology in arid and semiarid
climates. Emphasis is given
to hydrologic effects and simula-
tions and to successful establish-
ment of vegetation needing
minimal amounts of water.
Department of Agriculture, Coop-
erative State Research Service)
• Assessing use of spoil deposition,
topsoiling, and soil enhancers
in strip mmine reclamation opera-
tions. Emphasis is placed
on determining the best use of
sewage sludge for revegetation
and the subsequent impact on
heavy metal content of related
ecosystems. (Department of
Agriculture, Cooperative State
Research Service)
• Developing reclamation control
technology using spoils to pro-
mote revegetation. (Department
of Agriculture, Cooperative State
Research Service)
PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL COAL CLEANING.
Physical/chemical coal cleaning involves
methods of physically and/or chemically
cleaning coal having a moderate sulfur
content (1 to 2 percent) in order to
allow it to be burned in conformance
with clean air standards. The objectives
of the program are to develop commercially
45
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available coal-cleaning processes which
remove inorganic sulfur and ash from
medium sulfur coal, while treating coal
cleaning wastes so that they ca reclaimed
or disposed of in an environmentally
acceptable manner.
Basic research on coal characteris-
tics is as essential to a successful coal
cleaning program as it is to most of the
coal-related research areas. In this
case, however, information on the chem-
ical composition of medium sulfur coals
and the behavior of inorganic and trace
element impurities is particularly
important.
The coal cleaning program addres-
ses several technologies including a
Meyers process coal cleaning pilot plant
(which could have higher potential
efficiencies for pollutant removal than
standard coal washing processes), a two-
stage froth-flotation coal washing
process (with the Bureau of Mines), and
advanced, low-polluting dewatering and
drying technologies.
COAL CLEANING PROJECTS WITHIN EPA.
Coal cleaning projects now underway as
part of the Interagency Program are:
• Characterizing completely the
environmental problems of
existing coal cleaning plants
and coal handling methods,
including an evaluation of
existing controls. A manual of
practice to accomplish definite
near-term goals is being pro-
duced, and an assessment is
being made of coal cleaning
applicability on a national and
regional basis.
• Characterizing current technology
and developing and demonstrating
advanced technology to clean
coal of sulfur, nitrogen, ash,
and potentially hazardous
trace pollutants. The program
evaluates the effects of
cleaned coal on coal conversion
processes and related pollution
control methods (for example,
what effect does washing coal
prior to scrubbing have on
combustion efficiency and
waste). It is developing
the best available technology
for control of pollutants from
coal cleaning plants, coal
storage, and coal transporation
systems.
COAL CLEANING PROJECTS WITHIN OTHER
AGENCIES. The coal cleaning projects
formulated through interagency agreements
include the following:
• Reporting developments in physical
and chemical coal cleaning
technology for sulfur and ash
removal. Areas for study
include sulfur and ash release
potential when coal is crushed
and float-sink tested, develop-
ment of a physical coal cleaning
computer model, testing and
assessment of the first com-
mercial process for removal of
inorganic sulfur from crushed
coal, mechanical dewatering of
fine size desulfurized coal,
and evaluation of new or novel
techniques for physical or
chemical coal cleaning. (DOI,
Bureau of Mines)
• Developing and demonstrating in
a pilot plant, a process to
recover coal and other market-
able materials from coal refuse
ponds. Emphasis is on
dewatering, agglomerating, and
pelletizing the waste from the
coal cleaning process into a
coarse refuse or construction
material. (DOI, Bureau of Mines)
• Constructing and operating a coal
washing test facility in Pitts-
burgh to test new techniques
and equipment for sulfur and
46
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ash removal and to prepare the
desulfurized coal for transpor-
tation with minimum dust losses.
The test facility will also
assist EPA in tests on combus-
tion, flue gas scrubbing,
fluidized bed combustion, and
cleanup of raw and acid gas
from synthetic fuel processes.
(DOI, Bureau of Mines)
• Characterizing trace elements in
wastes from coal extraction and
processing and evaluating new
physical/chemical processes for
removal and recovery of trace
elements which are either envi-
ronmentally harmful or econom-
ically valuable. (ERDA)
FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION
The Fossil Fuel Combustion section
covers two related Interagency Task
Force program areas—flue gas cleaning
and direct combustion. Cleaning of flue
gases from coal-fired utility and in-
dustrial boilers has highest priority
within the Federal environmental control
technology R&D program. First, flue gas
cleaning technology in general (and flue
gas desulfurization processes in parti-
cular) are important in terms of national
energy self-sufficiency. The only way
near-term coal use can be significantly
increased without severe environmental
impacts is to employ air pollution con-
trol technology compatible with Clean
Air Act requirements. Although coal
conversion (gasification and liquefac-
tion) processes appear promising, they
will not have a truly significant im-
pact until the mid-1980's; thus, flue
gas desulfurization offers the most
viable coal combustion control technique
available for the next decade.
In addition, flue gas desulfuriza-
tion (FGD) systems, many of which are
now in commercial operation or on order,
are in the final stages of demonstra-
tion. R&D efforts are directed toward
the remaining problems such as upgrading
operating performance and reliability,
minimizing costs, and improving waste
product disposal techniques and by-
product recovery.
Funding for the FGD program was
expanded significantly in FY 1975 to
provide funding for two advanced stack
gas cleaning demonstration plants.
Funding levels are decreasing in FY 1976
and in subsequent years since additional
full-scale utility demonstrations are not
anticipated. The increase in FY 1975
funds should produce major national bene-
fits as the advanced systems provide
improved operating characteristics, lower
costs, and improved byproducts.
In addition to R&D on advanced
scrubber systems and waste disposal
techniques, the flue gas cleaning program
is contributing to the characterization
of fine particulates, hazardous pollutants
(such as trace materials from coal com-
bustion and metallic acid sulfates), and
nitrogen oxides. The program is also
supporting R&D on potential advanced
control techniques.
Flue gas cleaning program plans
include continued work on the two full-
scale advanced FGD demonstration plants—
one producing an improved throw-away
product (sludge) and the other producing
marketable byproduct (elemental sulfur).
In addition, a third smaller regenerable
demonstration plant may be initiated on
an industrial-scale boiler which cofires
fossil fuels and municipal wastes. High
priority is also given to an agressive
technology transfer program so that ex-
pertise generated via the Interagency Pro-
gram can be commercially applied.
FLUE GAS CLEANING PROJECTS WITHIN
EPA. EPA projects for which funding has
already been approved are:
• Developing particulate collection
technology to ensure that
advanced energy processes meet
47
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new source performance standards.
In order to reach this objective,
(and because so little informa-
tion exists at present) the
high-temperature, high-pressure
particulate control program is
initially developing primary in-
formation on emission and process
cleanup requirements for
advanced energy processes and on
the mechanics of aerosols at
high temperatures and pressures.
Various companies have proposed
particulate collection devices
(such as grandular bed filters
and high-pressure drop cyclones)
for which reliable performance
data will be needed before
adequate testing can be carried
out.
Developing disposal methods for
wastes from utility and indus-
trial flue gas cleaning pro-
cesses. Special'attention is
being given to determining the
extent to which the migration of
chemicals from such wastes can
be attenuated by soils in land
disposal sites, the compatibility
of various liner materials (for
ponding) when exposed to these
wastes, and the leachability and
durability of products from first
generation flue gas cleaning
waste treatment processes. In
addition, a field evaluation of
current waste disposal technology
is being conducted and second
generation processes (fixation
and stabilization) are being
evaluated. The objective of the
program is to establish a data
base for the future development
of standards for disposal of
flue gas cleaning wastes and to
identify further areas for
research in order to develop
such standards.
Improving the performance and
economics of lime and limestone
flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
systems. .Emphasis is given to
continuing the advanced testing
program (through June of 1977)
of the EPA prototype facility at
TVA's Shawnee plant, with atten-
tion devoted to improving the
reliability of mist eliminators,
minimizing sludge production by
maximizing alkali utilization and
minimizing capital and operating
costs. A computer program for
performing economic tradeoffs is
being developed. In addition,
an intensive program at Louis-
ville Gas and Electric's. Paddy's
Run Station (a full-scale lime
scrubbing operation) has begun
to evaluate its record of reli-
able, unsaturated operation. An
assessment of a lime scrubbing
process (Bahco) for industrial
coal-fired boilers is being per-
formed at Rickenbacker Air Force
Base. Development and demonstra-
tion of double alkali FGD systems
as reliable second generation
alternatives to lime/limestone
processes is being continued.
Pilot-scale studies supported by
the Agency will be completed in
spring 1976; they will support
the EPA test program at Gulf
Power's 20-MW prototype double
alkali system. Subsequently, a
full-scale demonstration of a
competitively selected double
alkali process is being initiated
through an industry/EPA cost-
shared contract with a test
program prepared and conducted
by an independent third party.
Industrial application of the
double alkali process for SOX
control is being assessed by
completing tests currently under-
way at the General Motors 32-MW
Parma facility.
Continuing development and demon-
stration of environmentally
acceptable, cost-effective
48
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techniques for disposal and
utilization of wastes from flue
gas cleaning operations with
special emphasis on FGD sludge.
In addition, efforts are being
devoted to demonstrate systems
for maximizing power plant water
reuse/recycling capabilities.
Program results will be pub-
lished annually.
• Disseminating and applying in-
formation generated by EPA,
utilities and industry regarding
flue gas cleaning development
and demonstration efforts. The
program is to provide users with
assistance regarding flue gas
cleaning system decisions,
operational problems, emission
impacts on air quality byproduct
marketing, and secondary effects
on water quality.
• Working with TVA on preparing
an overall evaluation of the
pollution control problems
associated with a coal-fired
electric power plant and an
assessment of the options and
costs related to possible solu-
tion. In addition to the spe-
cialized expertise and/or re-
quired facilities that TVA is
providing at the Shawnee facil-
ity, TVA will assist EPA in eval-
uating advanced FGD processes,
preparing detailed FGD cost
studies and byproduct evalua-
tions, improvement of lime/
limestone operability, sludge
fixation and disposal, and
chemical characterization anal-
yses of all effluents from coal-
fired power plants.
• Demonstrating regenerable FGD
processes which produce market-
able sulfur byproducts. Sys-
tems to be tested and evaluated
include: Wellman-Lord, mag-
nesium oxide, citrate, and
ammonia-ABS. In addition, an
evaluation is being made of
processes capable of removing
both SOX and NOX. Current
activities supporting expan-
sion of magnesia scrubbing and
generation and use of reductant
gases for production of elemental
sulfur are being continued.
• Characterizing the environmental
emissions of NOX and other com-
bustion-related pollutants from
stationary source combustion
processes and evaluating the envi-
ronmental effectiveness and
impact of controls (compared to
the uncontrolled state), includ-
ing alternative operating condi-
tions, retrofit controls, maximum
stationary source technology for
existing units (requiring exten-
sive retrofit), and maximum
stationary source technology for
new units (using optimized design
for alternate processes).
• Developing and demonstrating
combustion modification tech-
nology to control stationary
source emissions of NOX and other
combustion-generated pollutants.
Because more than 98 percent of
NOX from stationary sources is
generated during fuel combustion,
interest here focuses on modify-
ing conditions under which com-
bustion occurs. It appears
that combustion techniques can
be optimized to reduce or elimi-
nate emissions of other pollu-
tants (such as CO, unburned
hydrocarbon, and carbon particu-
lates) and to increase the
efficiency of system design and
operating characteristics. Field
application is being carried out
for a variety of sources,
including utility, industrial and
commercial boilers, residential
furnaces, industrial process
furnaces, stationary engines and
49
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advanced processes. Applica-
tions range from minor hardware
changes on existing sources for
short-term controls to complete
system redesign for optimizing
all energy and emission aspects
of specific equipment categories.
• Preparing a state-of-the-art
assessment of NOX flue gas
treatment, emphasizing NOX
removal in the presence of low
SOX concentrations, removal of
both NOX and SOX, evaluation of
both U.S. and Japanese NOX
removal technologies leading to
modification of the U.S. program
where necessary, and undertaking
larger scale prototype and
demonstration efforts.
• Developing and demonstrating con-
trol technologies to remove large
quantities of waste gas particles
smaller than three micrograms in
size. Capabilities of existing
equipment (electrostatic pre-
cipitators, scrubbers, filters,
and proprietary devices) are be-
ing evaluated in order to deter-
mine design and operating pro-
cedures deficiencies.
FLUE GAS CLEANING PROTECTS WITHIN
OTHER AGENCIES. Projects which are
being conducted through interagency
agreements between OEMI and participating
agencies under the flue gas cleaning
program include:
• Testing of advanced concepts on
TVA's 1-MW pilot wet lime/lime-
stone pilot plant to evaluate
methods for washing the vertical
mist eliminator without exceeding
the water balance necessary for
the close-loop limestone process.
Studies are being done on the
best washing techniques and/or
additives needed to prevent
scaling and plugging in the mist
eliminator. (TVA)
• Evaluating the feasibility of
producing fertilizer from sludges
from wet lime/limestone scrub-.
bers. The project also cor-
relates scrubber operation to
sludge characteristics and deter-
mines disposal methods for wastes
from fluidized best combustion
processes. (TVA)
• Characterizing effluents from
coal-fired utility boilers, in-
cluding coal pile drainage, ash
pond effluents, chlorinated water
effluents, and their effects on
ground water quality. (TVA)
• Expanding characterization studies
on coal, wet and dry fly ash, and
ash effluent focusing on trace
elements and heavy metals. The
project includes comparison of
design and costs for dry and wet
fly ash handling systems and
recommendations of treatment
methods for water reuse. (TVA)
• Developing a report on energy re-
quirements of selected S0£ re-
moval processes for power plant
emissions, with an evaluation of
the feasibility and economics of
process modifications to reduce
and optimize energy requirements.
(TVA)
• Developing a report on compara-
tive economics for major S02 re-
moval processes for power plant
emissions. The project identi-
fies major developing SC>2 re-
moval processes capital invest-
ments and operating costs, and
sensitivities of major design
and economic factors. Primary
consideration is being given to
those regenerable systems which
produce elemental sulfur as a
byproduct. In addition, a cost
study report is being conducted
on alternative sludge disposal
methods for lime/limestone flue
50
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gas desulfurization systems.
(TVA)
• Conducting a .marketing study on
by-products from regenerable flue
gas desulfurization systems. The
report quantifies by-product sul-
furic acid or elemental sulfur
which could be produced at point
sources of sulfur emissions in
the U.S. The study assesses the
following aspects of byproduct
marketing: the most economical
market, distribution, and trans-
portation system; competitive
costs of existing processes
which use elemental sulfur; and
possible net sales revenue from
the existing sulfur market and
growth markets. The study
recommends the most practical
byproduct for the specific
sources, based on this informa-
tion. (TVA)
• Conducting and evaluating pilot-
plant study of the ammonia
absorption-ammonium disulfate
regeneration process for removal
and recovery of S02 from power
plant stack gases. After review
of the pilot-plant operation, a
decision will be made on a demon-
stration-scale plant. (TVA)
• Conducting advanced testing of
the Shawnee lime/limestone non-
regenerable stack gas scrubbing
program. Tests are being con-
ducted in these areas: short-
term fly ash free, maximum util-
ization, unsaturated mode opera-
tion; long-term reliability;
sludge disposal; and fixation.
(TVA)
• Developing a report on laboratory
and bench-scale studies to eval-
uate advanced flue gas desul-
furization processes improve-
ments to reduce energy require-
ments. Emphasis is being given
to absorption and regeneration
in a potassium-based scrubbing
system and to oxidation in both
solution and slurry scrubbing
systems. (TVA)
Designing, constructing and
operating pilot plant to test
advanced processes for fly
ash scrubbing. The Center,
North Dakota, plant will be
the subject of a 1-year test
program focusing on diluted sul-
furic acid scrubbing with ash
neutralization and sodium-
magnesium and calcium double
alkali scrubbing with ash
neutralization. (ERDA)
Developing conceptual designs to
compare capital and operating
costs for each of the following
new power plants: (1) conven-
tional coal-fired steam power
plant with flue gas desulfuriza-
tion system; (2) atmospheric
fluidized-bed steam power plant;
and (3) pressurized fluidized-
bed, combined cycle power plant.
(TVA)
Demonstrating two citrate process
flue gas desulfurization systems
(coal-fired and oil-fired). The
demonstration systems, about
30 to 60 MW, are being evaluated
for process design, construction
cost estimates, detailed plant
designs, and operating data.
[Department of Interior (DOI),
Bureau of Mines]
DIRECT COMBUSTION. This program
concentrates on the environmental impact
of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) pro-
cesses, which optimally would use coal,
coal-derived products, and residual oil
efficiently and with minimal environ-
mental harm. As part of the National
Fluidized Bed Combustion Program coordi-
nated by ERDA, EPA is conducting R&D to
51
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determine potential environmental prob-
lems arising from alternative designs
use of fluidized bed combustors. EPA's
participation in the Interagency
Program consists of conducting environ-
mental assessments of future FBC sys-
tems by testing a pilot-scale flexible
environmental test facility and by
continued testing of EPA's small
(0.63-MW) FBC mini-pilot plant.
Fluidized bed combustion program
plans for the next few years include
designing and testing of an environmental
test facility to evaluate environmental
and performance problems and control
methods, initiating work on the use of
low-sulfur western coal for industrial
boilers, beginning sorbent regeneration
studies to minimize solid waste at the
FBC facility at ERDA's Argonne National
Laboratory and at the EPA's mini-pilot
plant, conducting laboratory and bench-
scale studies of operating conditions to
minimize pollutant formation at the
Argonne facility, and demonstration, on
a 50-MW existing utility boiler, of the
Chemically Active Fluidized Bed Process
for converting extremely "dirty"
residual oils into clean gaseous fuel.
EPA
DIRECT COMBUSTION PROJECTS WITHIN
Identifying air, water, solid
waste, and other environmental
problems associated with
fluidized bed combustion pro-
cesses. Doing complete char-
acterization studies on all
available atmospheric and
pressurized systems, with near-
term emphasis on the effects of
scale on emissions from fluid
bed units, providing sampling
and analytical manuals, the
problems of special liquid and
solid wastes, and the applica-
bility and problems associated
with industrial-scale fluid
bed boilers.
• Developing both laboratory and
bench-scale multi-media control
technology for SOX, NOX, total
particulates, hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide, and trace
hazardous and other pollutants
from fluidized bed combustion
systems as well as treatment and
final disposal techniques for
spent sorbent and ash. Complete
demonstration testing is being
conducted on the miniplant
combustor/regenerator operation.
• Developing technologies for the
removal of sulfur, nitrogen, and
potentially hazardous trace pol-
lutants from petroleum, petroleum
derivative, and other liquid
fuels. Stress is being placed
on: the thermodynamics, kinetics,
and mechanisms involved in sulfur
and nitrogen release by catalyzed
hydrogen attack, and on develop-
ment of existing demetallization-
catalytic hydrotreatment tech-
nology to maximize sulfur and
nitrogen removal. A cooperative
effort between the U.S. and the
USSR is being undertaken in order
to evaluate the USSR catalyst.
• Demonstrating at small to moderate
commercial scale the Chemically
Active Fluid Bed (CAFB) process
for converting heavy high-sulfur,
high-metal-content residual oils
to clean, high-temperature
gaseous fuel.
• Characterizing waste streams
from and evaluating the appli-
cability of alternate advanced
oil processing methods for
utilization of petroleum
residuals. Assessing environ-
mental problems and controls for
the CAFB process, including
solid and liquid wastes and
residual oil disposition.
52
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DIRECT COMBUSTION PROJECTS WITHIN
OTHER AGENCIES. In addition, OEMI has
interagency agreements covering the
following fluidized bed combustion
projects:
• Developing a report on various
studies being conducted to reduce
pollutant emissions from fluid-
ized bed combustion/regeneration
systems. The studies include
analysis of sorbent performance
for SC>2 control, sorbent alterna-
atives, disposal and use of spent
sorbent, NOX formation and emis-
sion controls, trace element
emissions controls, particulate
emissions and controls, and re-
generation schemes. (ERDA)
• Sampling and analyzing emissions
from selected fluidized bed com-
bustion units. The emissions
are being characterized, and
samples are being sent to EPA
for further analysis. (ERDA)
• Analyzing applications of
fluidized bed technology for
industrial boilers emphasizing
environmental, economic, and
energy implications of such use.
(Federal Energy Administration)
SYNTHETIC FUELS
The Interagency Program for syn-
thetic fuels (high- and low-BTU gasified
coal and liquefied coal) has two main
objectives—to determine the potential
environmental impacts of synthetic fuel
processing operations and to develop
control technology to minimize the
negative aspects of these impacts.
Optimally, the realization of the
two major objectives would require
sequential R&D following the logical
functional area progression (i.e., from
pollutant identification, to transport
processes, to health and ecological
effects, to pollution control technology,
to integrated technology assessment).
However, environmental control technology
R&D will have to be conducted con-
currently with environmental assessment
R&D because some synthetic fuel processes
using currently available technology
(such as Lurgi) may be employed in first
generation commercial plans. Development
and/or assessment of appropriate control
technology must be accelerated to permit
early commercialization and to minimize
the diseconomies associated with retro-
fitting of pollution controls.
Environmental assessments focus
on characterization of feedstock
materials as well as on the environmental
impacts of shale oil recovery, coal
liquefaction, and high- and low-Btu coal
gasification. Technology to control air,
water and solid waste pollution from
conversion processes are being developed
or promoted concurrently with fuel pro-
cessing technology R&D being conducted
by other agencies. To facilitate its
testing procedures, EPA is constructing
a'small and flexible coal gasifier to
develop and evaluate control technology
at the bench-scale. Finally, ongoing
work is being continued on high tempera-
ture cleanup of low-Btu gasified
effluents.
SYNTHETIC FUELS PROJECTS WITHIN EPA.
Titles of synthetic fuel programs now
underway as part of the Interagency
Program are:
• Evaluating the environmental
problems associated with conver-
sion of fossil fuels into syn-
thetic fuels, using a multi-
media approach to characterize
all potential pollutants which
could be generated during syn-
thetic fuel development. Initial
efforts are being devoted to low-
Btu gasification, high-Btu gasi-
fication, and coal liquefaction.
• Developing and demonstrating
technology to control multi-media
53
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pollutants resulting from synthetic
fuel development. Special atten-
tion is being given to problems of
raw and acid gas cleanup, coal
preparation and feeding, and fuel
products and byproducts.
SYNTHETIC FUELS PROJECTS WITHIN
OTHER AGENCIES. The following projects
in the synthetic fuels area have been
formulated through interagency agree-
ments :
• Defining problems and quantifying
environmental effects of coal
conversion processes. Studies
under this project include:
(1) Classifying processes in
terms of all pollutants
generated (air, water, solid
waste) and any secondary pollut-
ants; (2) Surveying coal pro-
cessing programs funded by ERDA
to assess environmental studies
planned and needed; (3) Survey-
ing available pollution control
technology from existing and
planned pilot plants, (Controls
in related industries are being
considered for adaptation to
coal-processes); (4) Developing
test programs for analysis of
pollutants from each synthetic
fuel process; (5) Selecting,
installing, and testing pollu-
tant monitoring instruments;
(6) Analyzing and interpreting
resulting data on pollutants
from these coal conversion
processes. (ERDA)
• Identifying the refractory or-
ganic pollutants in treated
petroleum refinery wastewaters.
Research focuses on the Calumet
District of Illinois and
Indiana, sited at the south-
western tip of Lake Michigan,
and is being coordinated with
ongoing research to study the
dynamics, fate, and effects of
organic pollutants from petro-
leum refinery wastes. (ERDA)
ADVANCED SYSTEM AND CONSERVATION
The advanced systems and conserva-
tion subchapter is divided into the
four Interagency Program Categories of:
(1) nuclear waste control; (2) thermal
control; (3) improved efficiency, which
is subdivided into the categories of
wastes as fuel, industrial conservation
and advanced power systems (fuel cells);
and (4) advanced systems, which are sub-
divided into solar and geothermal sources.
NUCLEAR WASTE CONTROL. The objective
of the Interagency Program effort in
nuclear technology is to minimize
environmental hazards from processing
and disposal of nuclear wastes at various
stages in the nuclear fuel cycle. Im-
pacts of mining and milling wastes are
the main focal point, with most of the
efforts aimed at expanding environmental
and technological assessment.
Under the Interagency Program, sys-
tematic environmental assessments of
uranium fuel cycle, concentrating on
mining and water pollution problems, are
being conducted. Currently underway as
part of the program are these projects:
WITHIN EPA
• Evaluation of the concentration
of plutonium in human residing
near Rocky Flats nuclear test
facility.
• Determination of the environ-
mental impact of the uranium
mill tailings dump in Salt Lake
City.
WITHIN OTHER AGENCIES. An inter-
agency effort is underway to reduce
environmentally hazardous effects from
uranium mill wastes. The project in-
cludes an engineering assessment of
54
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existing tailings sites with concurrent
research conducted on control of radon
release, development of instruments to
reliably measure concentrations of
radon, criteria for storage and stabil-
ization of uranium tailings, and en-
vironmental standards for active and new
tailings areas. (ERDA)
THERMAL CONTROL. Power plants dis-
charge large amounts of heat into
cooling water (from 48 percent of total
heat input for fossil fuel-fired plants
to .more than 60 percent for light-water
nuclear reactors). Even if energy
demand decreases somewhat in the next
few years, construction of new coal-
fired and nuclear electrical power
plants will increase the problem of
waste heat in plant siting. Under the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act of
1972, EPA is required to regulate ther-
mal effluents. The objectives of the
thermal control program are: (1) provide
design and performance data for improved
cooling systems; (2) reduce the depend-
ence upon use of rivers and lakes as
heat sinks; and (3) assess the potential
for waste heat reuse for agriculture,
greenhouses, agriculture, and cyclical
storage.
The program includes assessment of
the implications of ecological effects
of thermal effluents for engineering
and economic design, leading to the
effective expansion of R&D on advanced
cooling tower technology (e.g., dry
cooling towers) and on increased waste
heat recovery and utilization. Under
the Interagency thermal program, the
following tasks are underway:
WITHIN EPA
• Evaluating the performance and
economics of cooling system tech-
nology, with emphasis on advanced
cooling technology such as dry
and combined wet/dry cooling
systems. A study of the applica-
tion of wet/dry cooling tech-
nology to power plants for water
conservation and fog control is
being undertaken, and work is
continuing on development of con-
trol for secondary waste streams
from cooling systems. In addi-
tion, application of the tech-
nology for pretreating industrial
and agricultural wastewater for
cooling-tower use is being stud-
ied, as is alternatives to chlor-
ine for the control of algae and
fungi in condenser cooling sys-
tems.
• Continuing development and demon-
stration of environmentally
acceptable, cost-effective means
of utilizing waste heat and
water resources from utility and
industrial plants. Emphasis is
being placed on identification
and demonstration of integrated
energy use facilities, use of
residual heat, and evaluation of
the associated environmental
benefits and costs.
• Coordinating with TVA on develop-
ing thermal and wastewater treat-
ment techniques for utilities
by evaluating the performance,
economics, and environmental
aspects of cooling systems and
waste 'treatment systems. Tests
are being conducted on a wet/dry
cooling tower specifically
designed and fully instrumented
for such testing.
WITHIN OTHER AGENCIES. The follow-
ing interagency agreements have been
formulated in the area of thermal
control:
• Testing and evaluating advanced
waste heat control technologies.
The project includes studies on
55
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application of membrane tech-
nology to power plant waste-
waters, evaluating fish pumps
and other concepts to direct
fish away from intake channels
at power plants, and assessing
the environmental performance of
a rotor spray cooling device. In
addition, the project compares
the performance, economics, and
water quality of wet and dry
cooling towers. (TVA)
• Determining the technology needed
to recover heat energy from
power plant condenser discharge
waters for use in food and fiber
production. Areas of emphasis
include: soil heating to extend
the crop growing system, optimiz-
ing the biological recycling of
nutrients in livestock waste,
and environmental controls for
confined livestock operations.
(TVA)
• Determining the feasibility of
high density raceway production
of catfish using waste heat
discharges from steam-electric
power plants. The project in-
cludes a state-of-the-art
review and designation of areas
for further research. Results
of the research are being ap-
plied to studies on warm fish
culture. (TVA)
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY. Improved
efficiency in fuel utilization offers a
potentially attractive means of helping
to achieve energy self-sufficiency.
Work is needed to assess the potential
environmental impacts of improved or
advanced energy systems. Research
efforts will concentrate on three pro-
gram areas:
WASTE AS FUEL. EPA experience in
R&D on energy recovery from solid waste
is based on the Agency's responsibilities
under the Resource Recovery Act. EPA
has funded a number of demonstration
grant projects, including the combination
coal- and garbage-fired utility boiler
project in St Louis. This technology is
being developed and applied to other
types of utility and industry boilers.
Environmental problems caused by waste
used in energy processes are being
studied. Another research area is the
use of animal and agricultural wastes as
sources for energy value reclamation.
Specific tasks currently underway include:
• Developing long-term capabilities
to provide continuing services in
the development of environmental
assessment criteria, sampling and
analysis techniques, and formu-
lating and acquiring pollutant
emission data for new and exist-
ing processes for recovery of
energy from waste processes.
• Performing surveys of waste
streams for major sources of
waste other than industrial with
initial emphasis on municipal,
construction, and demolition
streams.
• Publishing technical assistance
reports based on the waste-to-
energy systems at St. Louis,
Baltimore, San Diego, Chicago
and other projects.
• Evaluating existing equipment and
techniques for preparing refuse-
derived fuels and feedstocks for
energy recovery, with special at-
tention given to performance and
cost data.
• Evaluating the concept of coin-
cineration of sewage sludge with
waste (St. Paul). Particular
emphasis is being given to the
technical, economic, and envi-
ronmental aspects, of supplying
the heat required to thermally
degrade sewage sludge with the
waste (such heat is now provided
56
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by increasingly scarce conven-
tional fuel oil).
Evaluating major bioconversion
waste-to-energy processes,
considering waste type, pre-
processing requirements, health
considerations, processing vari-
ables, and emission and pollu-
tion control needs.
Demonstrating and evaluating
major waste-as-fuel technologies
and methods, with particular
emphasis on their environmental
impact. Systems being examined
include: waste as fuel in large
pulverized coal-fired boilers,
other types of coal-fired
boilers, oil-fired boilers, and
industrial and smaller institu-
tional boilers.
Evaluating major competing waste-
as-fuel processes in terms of
technical, environmental, and
economic considerations (for
example, compare supplementary
fuel options to direct conversion
to electricity to pyrolytic con-
version to bioconversion, etc.).
Developing and assessing differ-
ent waste-as-supplementary fuel
projects in which the EPA has
been conducting R&D for some
time. Reports are being prepared
on performance and environmental
impacts of the systems at St.
Louis; Ames, Iowa (cofiring of
waste); Columbus, Ohio (combined
firing of waste with coal); and
the D.C. area (cofired densified
waste).
Assessing air pollution control
technology for existing processes
involving the cofiring of wastes
with conventional fossil fuels
and involving the thermochemical
conversion of wastes to energy.
• Demonstrating and evaluating py-
rolytic processes for thermochem-
ical conversion of waste to fuel.
A pilot scale research facility
is being tested for the pyrolytic
conversion of mixed waste (e.g.,
selected industrial wastes, mun-
icipal solid waste, agricultural
waste, sewage sludge, and possi-
bly, waste tires and oils). In
addition, a report is being pre-
pared on the concept of bringing
portable pyrolysis units to un-
connected agricultural and small
industrial waste sites and on
the feasibility of pyrolyzing
waste tires, waste oils, and
selected rubber industry wastes
to useful energy forms. A
report on the environmental
effects of upgrading pyrolysis
gases/liquids to gasoline is
being prepared based on the re-
search facility at the Naval
Weapons Center at China Lake.
INDUSTRIAL CONSERVATION. Energy-
saving industrial process changes due to
increased energy costs and governmental
regulations or incentives may cause unan-
ticipated pollutant emissions. Environ-
mental assessment work is underway to
identify these effects, if any. These
include the following projects:
• Surveying all literature and on-
going research regarding indoor
air quality measurements and the
effects of energy conservation
on indoor air quality.
• Evaluating systems which simul-
taneously conserve energy and re-
duce pollutants.
• Addressing energy conserving in-
dustrial process changes and
practices for major energy con-
suming industries and character-
izing the overall environmental
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impact of these changes. Subse-
quent work will examine the ade-
quacy of available control
technology and identify areas
where additional R&D is needed.
• Developing and evaluating various
industrial energy conservation
practices which have already been
initiated by industry in order to
encourage development and appli-
cation of the most environmentally
beneficial technology.
ADVANCED POWER SYSTEMS. Work on
advanced power cycles such as gas tur-
bines, magnetohydrodynamics and fuel cells
must be accompanied by identification,
measurement, and analysis of the health
and ecological effects of pollutants
emitted.
Research currently underway to
assess the potential total environmental
impact of advanced fuel cycles, such as
high temperature, open and closed cycle
gas turbines, potassium topping cycles,
thermionics, thermogalvanics, MHD, and
Feher cycle. Systems being developed
will be compared for environmental ef-
fects, energy savings, and efficiency,
economics and reliability.
An interagency agreement was signed
to analyze the potential markets for fuel
cell applications and the resulting na-
tional benefits of a large-scale govern-
ment effort to develop them for commercial
use. Emphasis is on near-term applica-
tion, and the analysis considers fuel
availability for fuel cells as well as
flexibility. In addition, the project
will include a technical evaluation of a
first generation fuel cell to determine
if it can meet utility company specifica-
tions and time schedules. The evaluation
will also assess performance and cost.
This project must be completed before a
large Federal effort is committed to fuel
cell R&D. (ERDA)
ADVANCED ENERGY SYSTEMS. In keeping
with its general philosophy of anticipa-
tory R&D for those energy systems which
will be developed over the long term, EPA
is initiating assessment studies to pro-
vide baseline information about the
potential environmental impact of geo-
thermal and solar energy systems. The
geothermal research program focuses on
predicting and controlling pollutant
buildup in ground and surface waters.
Solar energy systems research character-
izes pollutants resulting from construc-
tion, installation, and operation of solar
energy recovery systems. It also exam-
ines land use and siting difficulties
associated with such systems and their
resultant social, economic, and institut-
ional implications. The Interagency's
advanced energy systems program is:
• Evaluating geothermal development
control technology by assessing
pollution control systems at
existing sites (Geysers, Imperial
Valley, Klamath Falls) and by
identifying wastes and treatment
methods for water, land, and
air discharges.
• Identifying and assessing the en-
vironmental impacts of solar en-
ergy technology and systems. Po-
tential pollutants which might be
released to the air, water, and
land are being characterized
(based on NASA, ERDA, and NSF pro-
grams). A model is being devel-
oped to evaluate the average im-
provement in air quality which
might be expected in medium to
major urban areas as a function
of the number of residential and
commercial facilities using solar
heating and cooling systems.
CONCLUSION
Since its inception with the two
Task Forces almost two years ago, the
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Interagency Energy/Environment Research
and Development Program has produced a
notable series of achievements. Under-
neath the procedures established via 16
interagency "umbrella" agreements, a
grand total of more than 250 separate
projects has been initiated. Coordina-
tion of those efforts is yielding sig-
nificant information transfer benefits
in terms of highlighting research needs
and avoiding unnecessary duplication.
Problem-oriented interagency sector
groups are focusing on providing the
type of information synthesis most use-
ful to support the important energy
development policy decisions which must
be made over the next few years. A
major seminar (The Conference on Health
and Environmental Effects of Energy Use,
Including Control Technology, February
9-11, 1976) is bringing together
participants in the program to share
data on problems and progress.
The end products of the program—the
scientific and technical achievements
upon which domestic energy resources can
be developed in an environmentally sen-
sitive manner—are already becoming
visible. Many of these milestones will
emerge in the next few months. Other
longer-term projects, funded under the
Interagency Program will not be completed
for several years. On all of these pro-
jects, however, periodic progress reports
will be available. As this information
becomes available, it will be presented
to energy policy decisionmakers with both
format and timing geared to assuring that
the development of energy resources and
the protection of health and environment
are accomplished in harmony.
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