Estimation of VOC emissions at petroleum-contaminated soil treatment and disposal facilities
- Chesapeake Environmental Group, Inc., Baltimore, MD (United States)
- Wildwood Environmental Engineering Consultants, Inc., Baltimore, MD (United States)
Federal and State standards have been developed for calculating potential emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the disposal or treatment of soils contaminated with petroleum products. States are the primary permitting authority for this emission source. States also have primary responsibility for implementing the Corrective Action provisions of the federal Underground Storage Tank (UST) program. UST Corrective Actions account for a large portion of the petroleum-contaminated soils (PCS) taken by the treatment and disposal facilities. The States` desire for cost-effective disposal or treatment of soils contaminated with petroleum products often conflicts with Federal and State regulations that limit the release of pollutants into the air. Currently there are several different types of facilities in operation that treat the contaminants contained in the soil. Additionally, landfilling or use of PCS as daily cover at landfills continues to be widely practiced. US EPA`s Office of Air (OAR) has standardized emission factors for determining a facility`s potential to emit based primarily on the vapor pressure and concentration of VOC in the contaminated soil. The conflict between the OAR and OSW requirements and a State`s regulations is illustrated by the way emissions are calculated for off-site commercial PCS treatment facilities and solid waste landfills. VOC emission controls may be needed at facilities that use bioremediation and cold-mixing as the treatment technology, but are rarely required. This paper reviews current literature concerning VOC losses during off-site treatment or disposal. The paper also examines the US EPA`s recommended emission factors and calculation methods for off-site PCS treatment and disposal facilities. The paper then cites as examples facilities that are using uncontrolled VOC volatilization as a primary treatment method.
- OSTI ID:
- 679398
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980632--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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