Thermal Treatment of MSW

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Thermal Treatment of MSW

• Understanding the Facts

Clarissa Morawski CM Consulting
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Policy and Decision Making

• Sound science doesnt always mean seaking an
  unequivocal and uncontested view of the world. As
  often as not, it means understanding different
  arguments, and the significance of different
  assumptions, and making judgments on the basis of
  ALL the available information rather than partial
  presentations of it.

Source A Changing Climate for Energy from Waste?
Hogg, D., Eunomia research and Consulting
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The Issues

• New technologies
• Thermal treatment and climate change
• Thermal treatment versus other disposal options
• Selling energy in Ontario from MSW thermal
  treatment facility
• Thermal treatment and efficiency
• Costs
• Pollution and thermal treatment of MSW

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About new technologies

• Almost no full-scale gasification plants
  currently operating.
• Proponent companies are promoting either
  technical ideas or extrapolating from very small
  facilities to the large-scale plants that they
  are proposing to build.
• The promise of gasification has not been matched
  by the reality of the operations of the
  technology.

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Case Studies (Source Incinerators in
Disguise Case Studies of Gasification, Pyrolysis
and Plasma in Europe, Asia, and the US. Global
Alliance for Incineration Alternatives, April 2006

• Two of the highest profile and largest scale MSW
  gasification plants
• Thermoselect MSW plant in Karlsruhe, Germany
  began trials in 1999 and full-scale operation in
  2002. This plant was permanently closed at the
  end of 2004 due to technical and financial
  difficulties. By the time it closed in 2004 it
  had lost over 500 million US.
• The SWERF process, which was promoted by
  Brightstar Environmental and EDL Ltd, does not
  appear to have achieved commercial operation,
  resulting in a loss of greater than AU128
  million for EDL Ltd.
• Neoteric Environmental Technologies and
  International Environmetnal Solution built a
  plasma arc/pyrolysis facility in Riverside
  County, CA. South Coast Quality Management
  District determined that the facility emits more
  dioxins, NOx, VOCs, and PM than two large
  existing incinerators in the LA area.

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Pollution from New TechnologiesEPA emissions
annual air emissions data for 36,500 tons per
year. (Source Blue Ridge Environmental Defense
League, April 2002)
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Thermal treatment and climate change
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Thermal Treatment and Climate Change
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Thermal treatment versus other disposal options
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How does thermal treatment compare to other
options?
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A little more on stabilized landfill

• Provides initial screening of waste to be
  landfilled removes materials that should not be
  landfilled
• Reduces quantity requiring landfill disposal
• Further recovery of recyclables
• Flexibility adaptable to changes in feedstock
  more so than thermal treatment
• Reduces vector problems (vermin, birds etc.)
• Reduces gas generation
• Reduces leachate generation
• Waste is composted through anaerobic digestion
  versus aerobic composting
• Biogas recovered and used for energy

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Off-setting

• Energy from thermal treatment replaced energy
  from other sources like coal and natural gas
• Must consider what source is being displaced.

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Ontarios energy mixtoday and in the future
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Selling energy from MSW thermal treatment
facility
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• The provinces planning authority for
  electricity, charged with developing an
  integrated plan for the entire electricity system
  in Ontario. The OPA has no commercial interest in
  any specific projects its sole objective is to
  plan a system that delivers the best outcome for
  Ontario consumers based on the policy guidelines
  it has been given.
• The OPAs mandate is to undertake a long-term
  planning function to develop an integrated power
  system plans to meet Ontarios electricity
  requirements.

www.powerauthority.on.ca/
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Standard Offer Program

• This document presents the Final Program Rules
  for the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.
  Before you consider applying for a Standard Offer
  Contract you should thoroughly review the Program
  Rules to determine if your project is suitable.
• An eligible renewable energy project must be
  located in Ontario, must have a Gross Nameplate
  capacity of no more than 10,000 KW.

www.powerauthority.on.ca/
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Renewable Biomass (page 30)

• (73) Renewable Biomass means organic matter
  that is derived from a plant, provided that
• (a) such organic matter is not Municipal Solid
  Waste

www.powerauthority.on.ca/ Standard Offer Program
Renewable Energy Program Rules- page 30
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Clean Energy Standard Offer Program

• CESOP will support small clean-energy generating
  alternatives including combined heat and power or
  power only.
• Program has not been launched yet
• Strict principles
• the efficient and effective use of energy,
• sustainability and environmental compliance,
• the reliability of the electricity system,
• a good value proposition, and
• program simplicity.

www.powerauthority.on.ca/ Clean energy Standard
Offer Program
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Why can't we construct small co-generation plants
to supply power using local garbage and
industrial wastes?

• A small component of electricity generated by
  biomass identified in the Preliminary Plan is
  produced with municipal waste. Since the
  technology is evolving, the IPSP includes
  provisions to increase its role in later stages
  of the planning horizon.
• Consequently, the OPA will monitor the
  feasibility of greater electricity generation
  from waste, as well as other emerging
  technologies, going forward and will update
  future IPSPs accordingly.
• Incineration or other forms of thermal treatment
  can be contraversial public issues, due to
  perceptions regarding air emissions, ashed, odors
  ..
• Some of these concerns could be alleviated
  through proactive municipal ordinances and waste
  diversion programs that remove packaging wastes,
  HHW and other problematic components of MSW
  streams.

www.powerauthority.on.ca/ Discussion Paper 4-
Supply Resources
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Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
Administered System

• Subject to fluctuating prices spot market
  pricing unreliable revenues.
• Can negotiate with private company to purchase
  Kwh purchase over short-term or long term.
  Responsibility of the Thermal Treatment
  owner/operator.

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Thermal treatment and efficiency
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Sources Europe CEWEP, Sweden, RVF 2006,
Wasteplan, summary of annual electrical and
energy balance, Peel Region, Algoquin Power,
BC, Veolia facility.
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Costs

• Costs have great range depending on size,
  up-front sorting, testing technology, operator
  training, ash management and thermal treatment
  process (technology).
• Ranges from 102 - 180 per tonne.
• Energy revenues account for 30-45 of cost
  off-set. (un-secured revenues may cause operating
  cost increases).
• World Bank estimates that the cost of thermal
  treatment is an order of magnitude greater than
  landfilling

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Pollution from thermal treatment of MSW
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Where does the pollution come from?

• STACK GAS
• FLY ASH
• BOTTOM ASH OR SLAG
• SCRUBBER WATER
• OTHER RESIDUES
• FUGITIVE EMISSIONS

Source Pat Costner, Senior Scientist Greenpeace
International From presentation Penang,
Malaysia 17-21 March 2002
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EVERY INCINERATOR IS A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH

• .

(SWAT.A.06)
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How are People Exposed?

• Dioxins are omnipresent
• Majority of exposure (gt95) is via
  microcontamination of food
• Meat, fish, dairy
• Sensitive Subpopulations with High Exposure
• Subsistence Fishers and Hunters
• Nursing Infants
• Occupational Workers
• Oral, dermal, and inhalation exposures

• Linda. S. Birnbaum, Senior expert for EPA on
  Dioxin

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MOST WIDELY KNOWN INCINERATOR POLLUTANTS OF
CONCERN

• DIOXINS
• PARTICULATE MATTER
• ARSENIC
• BERYLLIUM
• CADMIUM

• CHROMIUM
• LEAD
• MERCURY
• ACIDIC GASES
• PAHs

Source Pat Costner, Senior Scientist Greenpeace
International
Source National Research Council, 2000. Waste
Incineration and Public Health, Washington, DC
National Academy Press
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OTHER TOXIC POLLUTANTS IN INCINERATOR GASES AND
RESIDUES
METALS In addition to the six metals previously
listed, 19 other metals have been identified in
the wastes sent to incinerators or in incinerator
stack gas and/or ash.
ORGANIC CHEMICALS In addition to dioxins,
scientists have detected innumerable organic
chemicals in incinerator outputs. Among these
so-called products of incomplete combustion
(PICs) are hundreds of semi-volatile chemicals of
which only 10-14 percent have been completely
identified. Semi-volatile PICs are likely to be
persistent in the environment and lipophilic
(fat-loving).
Source Pat Costner, Senior Scientist Greenpeace
International
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ON POLLUTION

• All incinerators are sources of persistent
  organic pollutants (POPs), such as polyaromatic
  hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• All incinerators that burn materials containing
  chlorine in any form are also sources of POPs,
  such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and
  dibenzofurans, known collectively as dioxins,
  as well as other dioxin-like organochlorines,
  such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and
  polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs).
• All incinerators that burn materials containing
  any form of chlorine and any form of bromine are
  also sources of polychlorinated, polybrominated,
  and mixed polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins,
  dibenzofurans, polyhalogenated biphenyls, and
  polyhalogenated naphthalenes.

Source Pat Costner, Senior Scientist Greenpeace
International
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WASTE INCINERATORS ARE PART OF THE WASTE PROBLEM,
continued

• Incinerators do not destroy metals.
• All metals fed into an incinerator are released
  in stack gases, fly ash, bottom ash or slag
  and/or other residues.
• Metal partitioning among these release routes
  vary according to
• -- the specific metal
• -- other waste components (e.g., chlorine
  content)
• -- furnace design and operating conditions
  (temperature, residence time, etc.)
• -- type and efficiencies of air pollution
  control systems

Source Pat Costner, Senior Scientist Greenpeace
International
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Dioxins

• the most serious environmental and human health
  concern from the burning of plastics such as
  vinyl (PVC), which contain significant amounts of
  chlorine, is the production of hydrochloric acid
  and chlorinated chemicals such as chlorinated
  benzenes and polychlorinated dioxins and furans.
  (Source Linda. S. Birnbaum, PhD, DABT)
• Due to their extraordinary environmental
  persistence and capacity to accumulate in
  biological tissues, dioxins and furan are slated
  for virtual elimination under the Canadian
  Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the federal
  Toxics Substances Management Policy (TSMP) and
  the CCME Policy for the Management of Toxic
  Substances. (Source 2001, the Canadian Council
  of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) released
  Canada-Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans)

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HEALTH EFFECTS OF DIOXINS

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer Cancer One dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) is a
  known human carcinogen, while the other dioxins
  are possible human carcinogens
• Porphyria
• Endometriosis
• Decreased Testosterone
• Chloracne
• Biochemical
• Enzyme Induction
• Receptor Changes

• Developmental
• Thyroid Status
• Immune Status
• Neurobehavior
• Cognition
• Dentition
• Reproductive Effects
• Altered Sex Ratio
• Delayed Breast Devpt

• Slide Source Linda. S. Birnbaum, PhD, DABT
• NHEERL/US EPA
• Research Triangle Park, NC
• Saginaw, MI April 13, 2005

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INCINERATOR WORKERS

• Biomarkers of contamination -hydroxypyrene,
  mutagens and thioethers -- in workers urine with
  increased frequency and at elevated levels Ma et
  al. (1992) Angerer et al. (1992) Scarlett et
  al. (1990) Van Doorn et al. (1981)
• Chemical contaminants in workers urine and
  blood at elevated concentrations -- dioxins,
  PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, chlorophenols, benzene,
  toluene, xylene, arsenic, lead, mercury, and
  nickel Kitamura et al.(2000) Schecter et al.
  (1999) Kurttio et al. (1998) Van den Hazel and
  Frankort (1996) Wrbitzky et al. (1995) Papke et
  al. (1993) Malkin et al. (1992) Angerer et al.
  (1992) Schecter et al. (1991).
• Increased death rates from cancer of the
  stomach, lungs and oesophagus Rapiti et al.
  (1997) Gustavsson et al. (1993) Gustavsson et
  al. (1989)
• Increased death rates from ischemic heart
  disease Gustavsson (1989) Chloracne,
  hyperlipidemia, decreased liver function, altered
  immune functions, altered sex ratio of offspring,
  hypertension, urinary abnormalities, small airway
  obstruction of the lungs, and abnormal blood
  chemistry. Kitamura et al. (2000) Schecter et
  al. (1999) Bresnitz et al. (1992).

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PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR INCINERATORS

• A newly published study of adolescent children
  who lived near two incinerators found as follows
  (Staessen et al., 2001. Lancet 3571660-1669)
• Elevated blood levels of PCBs, dioxins and
  metabolites of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  were in the childrens blood.
• Delayed sexual maturation was noted among these
  children
• Delayed breast development in girls was
  positively correlated with serum concentrations
  of dioxins
• Delayed genital development in boys was
  correlated with serum concentrations of PCBs
• Reduced testicular volume was found among the
  boys.

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PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR INCINERATORS

• Biomarkers of toxic exposure - thioethers-- were
  elevated in the urine of children living near a
  recently built incinerator. Ardevol et al. (1999)
• Dioxin levels in blood increased by 10-25
  percent during the two years following the
  startup of a new incinerator. Gonzalez et al.
  (2000)
• PCB levels in the blood of children living near
  a German hazardous waste incinerator were
  elevated. Holdke et al. (1998)
• Mercury levels in the hair of people living near
  a waste incinerator increased by 44-56 over 10
  years and with greater proximity to the facility.
  Kurttio et al. (1998)
• Elevated dioxin levels in blood were found in
  communities near incinerators in three studies,
  but dioxins were not elevated in two other
  studies. Miyata (1998) Deml et al. (1996) Van
  den Hazel and Frankort (1996) Startin et al.
  (1994)

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PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR INCINERATORS, cont.

• Clusters of two cancers associated with dioxin
  exposure -- soft-tissue sarcomas and
  non-Hodgkins lymphomas -- were found in one
  intricate study. Viel et al. (2000)
• Increased rates of deaths from childhood cancer,
  all cancers combined, cancer of the larynx,
  liver, stomach, rectum, and lung were found in a
  series of studies, but one study found no
  increase in death rates from larynx or lung
  cancer. Elliot et al. (2000) Knox (2000) Knox
  and Gilman (1998) Michelozzi et al. (1998)
  Elliot et al. (1996) Biggeri et al. (1996)
  Babone et al. (1994) Elliot et al. (1992)
  Diggle et al. (1990)
• Six studies found elevated occurrence of various
  respiratory effects near incinerators, while one
  study found asthma in children was not elevated.
  Lee and Shy (1999) Legator et al. (1998) Shy et
  al. (1995) Gray et al. (1994) ATSDR (1993)
  Wang et al. (1992) Zmirou et al. (1984).

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PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR INCINERATORS, cont.

• Elevated rates of congenital anomalies were
  reported in two studies, while one study found
  eye malformations were not increased Ten
  Tusscher et al. (2000) Aelvoet et al. (1998)
  Gatrell and Lovett (1989)
• Increased frequency of multiple births was
  reported in one study, while another found no
  evidence of increased incidence of twin births
  Van Larebeke (2000) Rhydhstroem (1998)
• Altered sex ratios of births -- a deficit of male
  births -- was found in one study Williams et al.
  (1992)
• Lower levels of thyroid hormones were reported
  among children near a toxic waste incinerator.
  Osius and Karmaus (1998)

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On Testing

• Most thermal treatment facilities continuous
  monitor for NOx, SOx, CO, HCL, PM, O2, opacity,
  temperature and amonia.
• Other pollutants are monitored through stack
  tests, usually done once annually (as per A-7
  guidelines). Municipalities may request more
  frequent testing.
• The test is scheduled. Facilities can plan for
  tests to be run during optimum conditions.

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Due Diligence

• For continuous monitoring of heavy metals and
  dioxin four technologies exist that are being
  tested by the US EPA.
• AMESA is a German technology used for sampling.
  Sampling periods run from 4 hours to 4 weeks. On
  average the sampling period is about two weeks.
  DMS is an Australian technology to measure
  amounts of Dioxins, PCBs and PAHs.. It is limited
  in measuring 0.0001 to 10 ng/cubic meter. There
  are 55 AMESA units and 5 DMS units currently
  operating worldwide. This technology is worth
  100,000 US, or 4,000 per month to lease
• There are about 210 different types of dioxin.
  Stack test generally only test for one type.

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Dioxins

• the most serious environmental and human health
  concern from the burning of plastics such as
  vinyl (PVC), which contain significant amounts of
  chlorine, is the production of hydrochloric acid
  and chlorinated chemicals such as chlorinated
  benzenes and polychlorinated dioxins and furans.
• Due to their extraordinary environmental
  persistence and capacity to accumulate in
  biological tissues, dioxins and furan are slated
  for virtual elimination under the Canadian
  Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the federal
  Toxics Substances Management Policy (TSMP) and
  the CCME Policy for the Management of Toxic
  Substances. (Source 2001, the Canadian Council
  of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) released
  Canada-Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans)

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Nanotoxicity

• Although these methods may be executed safely,
  formation of toxic combustion or reaction
  by-products is still a cause of concern
• Fine particulate matter and ultrafine
  particulate matter, which have been documented to
  be related to cardiovascular disease, pulmonary
  disease, and cancer have more recently become the
  area of focus of research.

Environmental Health Perspectives, June 2006
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Why we need to be more diligent than ever when
it comes to pollution?

• November 6, 2006, an Ipsos Reid poll confirmed
  that Canadians consider the environment should
  receive the greatest amount of attention from
  government leaders.
• November 8, 2006, Dr. Philippe Grandjean, a
  leading health researcher and Professor of
  Environmental Health from the Harvard School of
  Public Health published a study which
  characterizes the loading of chemicals both known
  (201) and unknown (over 1,000) as a silent
  pandemic that has caused impaired brain
  development in millions of children worldwide.
  Grandjean urges governments worldwide to begin to
  strictly control these chemicals.
• Even if substantial documentation on their
  toxicity is available, most chemicals are not
  regulated to protect the developing brainOnly a
  few substances, such as lead and mercury, are
  controlled with the purpose of protecting
  children. The 200 other chemicals that are known
  to be toxic to the human brain are not regulated
  to prevent adverse effects on the fetus or a
  small child.
• January 3, 2007, Environmental Defense Canada
  released its findings of blood sample tests from
  four leading Canadian politicians. A total of 61
  pollutants, of the 103 tested for, were detected
  in the four volunteers, including 18 PBDEs, 13
  PCBs, 10 organochlorine pesticides , seven PAHs,
  five PFCs, five metals and three organophosphate
  insecticide metabolites. Many of the pollutants
  discovered in the politicians' bodies are
  associated with cancer, developmental problems,
  respiratory illnesses, damage to the nervous
  system and hormone disruption. (Press Release
  Environmental Defense Canada, January 3, 2007)

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Clarissa Morawski CM Consulting morawski_at_ca
.inter.net [phone]
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Comparing Emissions with Sweden
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Comparing Recycling Rates