Risk estimates of impacts from emerging tar-sand technologies. Paper IAEA-SM-254/26

Conference · Thu Jun 11 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6381821

Daniels, J I; Anspaugh, L R; Ricker, Y E; Rotariu, G J

The risk of occurrence of significant unfavorable environmental, health, and safety impacts associated with tar-sand technologies have been estimated. These estimates were made from information related to typical emerging surface (above ground) and in situ (underground) tar-sand oil-recovery processes. Both types of processes are being developed for use on tar-sand deposits in the US and may also be applicable to deposits in other countries. The levels of pollutant emissions affecting land, air, and water were determined from data related to current US field experiments involving surface processes (including retort and solvent extraction methods), and in situ techniques (including combustion and steam-injection methods). Next, these data were extrapolated to determine pollutant levels expected from conceptual commercial facilities producing 20,000 bbl/d. These estimates predict the nature and magnitude of environmental, health, and safety impacts. The likelihood-of-occurrence of these impacts was then assessed. Experience from other industries, including information concerning health and ecosystem damage from air pollutants, measurements of ground-water transport of organic pollutants, and the effectiveness of environmental-control-technologies, was used to make this assessment. It was concluded from this assessment that certain adverse effects are more likely to occur than others. These effects can be ordered for surface and in situ technologies according to their likelihood-of-occurrence. Occupational health problems including those related to worker exposure to carcinogenic and other hazardous substances are likely to occur during surface extraction. Public health and ecosystem effects may occur from both technologies but will be localized and/or controllable. (DMC)

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6381821
• Report Number(s): UCRL-85237(Rev.1); CONF-810652-3(Rev.1); ON: DE81023667
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040700* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Health & Safety
041000 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Environmental Aspects
AIR POLLUTION
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS
OIL SANDS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
PUBLIC HEALTH
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RETORTING
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
WATER POLLUTION