University of Minnesota-Duluth low-Btu gasifier workplace environment

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5529504

Van Hoesen, S D; Dreibelbis, W G; Thompson, F M; Hunt, D B

A summary of the results of the industrial hygiene (IH) studies performed at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) gasifier is presented. The initial step in implementing the IH assessment program at UMD was the development of an IH plan. The purpose of this plan was to identify the potential IH stresses that might be experienced at the gasifier and to develop means for analyzing and monitoring these stresses and for determining the effectiveness of control measures. Through a review of the plant design and available information on coal conversion experience, a number of potential IH stresses were identified. These stresses and the currently recommended limits for worker exposure are presented. The plan contained provisions for both area and personal monitoring for these stresses. The IH monitoring plan included provisions for evaluating personal exposures to carbon monoxide, other toxic gases, organic materials (coal tar), dust, heat stress, and noise. A toxicology program was undertaken to provide information on important process materials such as electrostatic precipitator (ESP) tar. Newly developed IH instruments were field tested and used as research tools for evaluating exposure to organic materials. A medical surveillance program was also instituted to evaluate worker health. In addition, operational parameters and IH experiences were evaluated to correlate IH monitoring results with plant operating conditions to allow evaluation of exposure controls. 7 references, 9 figures, 15 tables.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis (USA); Radian Corp., Salt Lake City, UT (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5529504
• Report Number(s): CONF-821048-6; ON: DE84002545
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
010800* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COAL GASIFICATION PLANTS
COAL TAR
DATA
DUSTS
ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS
EMISSION
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUIDS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS GENERATORS
GASES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
LOW BTU GAS
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
MONITORING
NUMERICAL DATA
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
PRODUCTION
SAFETY
SLUDGES
SURVEILLANCE
TAR