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CAPSULE REPORT: SOURCES AND AIR EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES AT WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
Citation:
Research Triangle Institute. CAPSULE REPORT: SOURCES AND AIR EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES AT WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES. EPA/625/R-97/002 (NTIS PB98-131998), 1998.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
The chemicals processed during waste management operations can volatilize into the atmosphere and cause carcinogenic or other toxic effects or contribute to ozone formation. Regulations have been developed to control air emissions from these operations. The EPA has promulgated standards under the authority of Section 3004(n) of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) that limit organic air emissions from waste management units at hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDF); the rules also apply to 90-day accumulation units at hazardous waste generator facilities. In June 1990, EPA promulgated standards for process vents and equipment leaks; additional RCRA standards were promulgated on December 6, 1994, (effective December 6, 1996) and amended on November 25, 1996, to limit air emission from tanks, surface impoundments, and containers used in managing hazardous wastes. Implementation of air emission controls on many types of waste management operations are required by these RCRA air rules. This capsule report focuses on the major sources and controls of air emissions at waste management facilities, how these emissions occur, and how they can be controlled. The major sources that are discussed in detail include surface impoundments, the very broad and diverse category of tanks and ancillary equipment, containers, and treatment devices. As each source is described, controls that are inherent to that source or commonly found on that particular source are presented. In addition, details are provided on the basic mechanisms by which emissions occur and the major factors that affect the emissions. After the discussion of sources and their inherent controls, air pollution control devices that may be generally applicable to any enclosed or vented source (i.e., add-on controls) are described. The discussion of control devices focuses on their applicability, control performance, and the major factors affecting performance. Organic removal (i.e., pretreatment) and destruction processes are also discussed as a means of controlling air emissions and reducing or eliminating the emission potential. This discussion describes processes that remove or destroy the organics in the waste, which may eliminate the need to control subsequent waste processing steps.