Tougher standards for burning hazardous waste

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Mechanical Engineering; (United States)

OSTI ID:5978345

Valenti, M

This article reports that tighter emission standards for hazardous waste combustion proposed by the EPA may require design changes that could alter the economics of hazardous waste incineration in the US. A recent draft strategy for the combustion of hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, DC, has sent tremors through the two major types of combustors of industrial wastes: commercial incinerators and cement kilns. It is too early to predict what new environmental regulations will result from this proposal, but the ability of competitive combustors to meet them will likely determine their survival. The two emissions standards specified in the draft strategy announced in May by EPA administrator Carol Browner limit the particulate emissions from hazardous waste incinerators to 0.015 grain per dry standard cubic foot, less than one-fifth the 0.08 grain now permitted. Control of dioxins spells an even sharper change in EPA strategy, for these must be held to under 30 nanograms per dry standard cubic meter. Currently, there are no overall dioxin limits, only site-specific boundaries calculated on a risk-assessment basis for boilers and industrial furnaces (BIF) that have the potential to emit large amounts of dioxins and furans.

• OSTI ID: 5978345
• Journal Information: Mechanical Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Mechanical Engineering; (United States) Vol. 115:8; ISSN MEENAH; ISSN 0025-6501
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
DIOXIN
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS