This report summarizes data on air emissions from the production of major barium chemicals. Compounds studied include barium sulfide, barium carbonate, barium chloride, barium hydroxide, and barium sulfate. In order to evaluate potential environmental effects the source severity, S, was calculated for each emission species from each emission point. Severity is defined as the ratio of the average maximum ground level concentration, Xmax' to the ambient air quality standard (for criteria pollutants) or to a reduced TLV (for noncriteria pollutants). The highest values of S occurred for sulfur oxide emissions from the H2S incinerator (1.89), the black ash rotary kiln (1.51), and the barium hydroxide process exhaust (1.6), and for emissions of soluble barium compounds from product dryers and calciners (0.79 to 200). Various control devices are used to reduce emissions. Scrubbers and baghouses are used on the black ash rotary kiln and on product dryers and calciners. A scrubber and an electrostatic precipitator are employed to control the exhaust from the barium hydroxide process. Byproduct H2S may be absorbed in caustic instead of being incinerated.

"March 1978." "This report was submitted in partial fulfillment of Contract No. 68-02-1874 by Monsanto Research Corporation under the sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency." Includes bibliographical references (pages 134-137).