Clean Air Voume 32 No. 2. May 1998 1

Contents 2 List of Office Bearers

4 Welcome to New Members Directory of Air Pollution and Environmental Consultants 1998

5 Editorial

Solar Energy in the Land of Sunshine

8 Presidents Column

Recent. Progress and Some Pians for the Future

9 Professional Accreditation within the Society Some Advertising Rates for Clean Air

10 News from Environment Australia Petrol Volatility Project

12 Concessional Subscription for AWMA Journals Members' Register and Networking

13 Company and Industry News

Queensland Cement Limited (QCL) Gladstone Expansion Project

New National Office for Peak Scientific

Review of Waste Treatment Technologies

BTR Environmental acquires Email Air Handling

Green Organics as Daily Cover for Landfills

First Steps to Success in the USA for ECO AIR

Turbine Deal an Asian Breakthrough

$25 Billion World Site Remediation Market by 2002

CSIRO/GGW20C0 Set Precedent for Green Olympic Cooperation

SRE Air Cleaning Systems

Environmental Pro'.ectior through Taxonomy - The Case or ABRS

News from EPA NSW

CSIRO Support for Solar/Fossil Energy Mix

UN moves for Sustainable Cities: The Habitat Agenda 1996

Queensland's First Commercial Renewable Energy Product Launched

Inquiry into Environmental Accounting and Reporting Victoria

Instruments from Lear Siegler

Environmental Notes - Hazardous Substances

Environmental Notes - Chemicals

Environmental Notes - Publications

Instruments from ANRI Instruments and Control Pty Ltd

Instruments from Ecotech

Instruments for Rental from EnviroRent

Instruments from Kenelec

DCE takes Control of Dust Filtration Efficiency

Instruments from Thomson Environmental Systems

Technical Article:

29 D B-Dinges; Non Ozone-Depleting Calibration Gas for Integrating Nephelometers

This article describes a comparative test'ng program undertaken by seven

Australian Laboratories to assess FM-200 as an alternative calibration gas

for integrating nephelometers. Results of comparsons are presented.

Short Reports:

33 Passive Smoking - How Dangerous!

The risk of inhaling environmental tobacco smoke is briefly reviewed.

2 Clean Air Volumle 32 No.2. May 1998

OUR COVER

The cover shows the Gladstone installation of

Queensland Cement Limited. This world class

facility updates six, smaller, less efficient kiln

lines. See Company and Industry News, page 13.

Contents 35 The Solar Goldmine - How Australia is missing out on the

Global Solar Boom The introduction on a report on this topic is presented.

36 The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) The program for establishing the Irternet database that will provide information on the types and amounts of certain chemicals being released to the environment is discussed.

37 R. Allan; Seeking the Secrets of El Nino Work being undertaken to produce a forecasting system that will predict El Nino events three or four seasons anead is described briefly.

38 Indoor Air & Environment News Indoor Air Pollution Monitoring in Developing Countries 'Buildings and the Environment in Asia' Conference

39 Indoor Air & Environment One Day Workshop

40 Australian Chamber of Manufactures News Prepare now for Switch to Electricity Contracts National Pollutant Inventory Save Time and Money with ACM Electricity Buying Group Life Cycle Assessment Training for the Packaging Industry Companies Vote on ACM/MITA Merger

41 14th International Clean Air& Environment Conference

42 Air Pollution and Health Risk One Day Workshop

44 Training Activities Committees Training Program 1938 Environmental Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment Course

45 Conferences

Advertisers in this Issue

Conditions of Acceptance of Material for Publication

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

The following are the new members who joined the Society during the January,

February, March and April. We hope that their membership is both rewarding to themselves and their organisations and that they become personally involved in the activities of their respective Branches

New South Wales/ACT Branch Mr Glenn Thomas Richard Heggie Associates Acoustical Consultants

Dr Josef Ischtwan Environment Protection Authority of NSW

New Zealand Branch Dr Peter van der Logt

Ms Jenny Simpson Tonkin and Taylor Serior Environmental Engineer

Ms Natalia Fororda Ministry of Heaith

Queensland Branch Ms Jane Orr Queensland Department of Environment Senior Environmental Officer

Ms Rachael Farnan Shell Services International Project Engineer (Environmental)

Mr Anthony Deakin Environmental & Licensing Professionals Pty Ltd

South Australia/NTBranch Mr Barry Johnson Western Adelaide Institute of TAFE Lecturer

Ms Uma Preston Environment Protection Authority of SA Air Quality Engineer

Mr Steve Shinners ERA Environmental Services Pty Ltd Environmental Chemist

Victoria/Tasmania Branch Mr David Campin

Dr Martin Bicevskis Department of Community & Health Services, Tasmania Senior Medical Officer, Occupational & Environmental Health

Mr Gary Finke Kinhitl Pty Ltd Process Engineer

Mr Philip Thomas Cabot Australia Pty Ltd Plant Manager

Western Australia Branch Mr William Lines ERM Mitchell McCotter Pty Ltd Manager Environment

Indonesia Dr Warwick Forrest PCI (BAPEDAL) Project

New South Wales/ACT Branch Mr George Patterson BHP Refactories Pty Ltd Quality Systems Officer

Mr Adrian Hedegus* AWN Consultants Pty Ltd

Mr Matthew Parkinson Dick Benbow & Associates Pty Lto Environmental' Engineer

Mr Darren Carter CH2M Hill Australia Pty Ltd Environmental' Engineer

Mr Wayne 0 Connor Parramatta City Council Marager, Environment & Health

Mr Christopher De Florac Barbeques Galore National Woodheating Manager

New Zealand Branch Taranaki Regional Council Air Quality, Scientist

Miss Sumantha Mukherjee Pattle Delamore Partners Ltd Environmental Engineer

Queensland Branch Mr Richard Fawkes Queensland Alumina Limited Principal Environmental Engineer

Mr Ror Capil Queensland Alumina Limited Occupational Hygienist

South Australia/NT Branch Mr Ivan Winter G H Michell & Sons (Australia) Pty Limited Reliability Manager

Victoria/Tasmania Branch Mr Joe Alberilo Willis Corroon Richara Oliver Pty Ltd

Mr Daniellan Marsic Horizon APC Pty Ltd Senior Engineer

Ms Sanora Kelzke Philip Morris Ltd Environmental Officer

Western Australia Branch Mr Anthony Stuart Coffey Partners International Pty Ltd Environmental Scientist

Victoria/Tasmania Branch Ms Vicki Pryse Alcoa of Austra l ia Limited EHS Manager - Viciorian Operations

Ms Jeny Hearn Alcoa of Australia Limited Environmental Chemist

Ms Kate Bannister Mobil Refining Australia Manager, EHS & Quality

South Australia Branch Mr Arthur Goode BHP Integrated Steel Division Environment Manager

Victoria/Tasmania Branch Ms Rebecca En right University of Queensland Postgraduate Diploma of Science (Environmental Science)

* = Rejoining member

4 Clean Air Volume 32 No 2. Mar 1998

EDITORIAL

Solar Energy in the Land of Sunshine

Jack O'Heare

Interest in solar energy has waxed and waned in the air pollution arena for many years, with SE presenting itself as the ideal

alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Until recently few environmentalists nave had a sustained interest in its nurture and harnessing as a viable means of power production.

The use of solar energy for heating and the generation of electricity produces no environmentally harmful gases, particles or radiation, (disregarding for the moment the comparatively minor environmental costs associated with production of components. Neither does it entail the problems associated with the disposal of large amounts of waste water, ash, or radioactive residues. Nevertheless, having surfaced, the interest subsides until the next time.

Over the last eighteen months items for the Company and Industry News' segment o: the journal have increasingly mentioned solar energy ir some application or another. Perhaps this time it is the tip of a solar iceberg and interest will continue to increase rather than subside.

One can speculate as to why the harnessing of solar energy for commercial use has been slow to gain wider and rnore sustained interest. There is of course a worldwide vested interest in fossil fuel production, its subsequent distribution and hardware for its consumption. The fossil fuel lobby has enormous influence; the supply of oil is a major factor in international economics and politics, and oiI price fluctuations provide a powerful trigger for rroney market and stock market operations. Many stakeholders would be reluctant to see their powerbase eroded by any significant intrusion of solar energy into the marketplace

Until recently investment in solar energy research would not be seen as providing a quick return on the capital invested. Once development passes from the laboratory to the demonstration stage and beyond, capital outlay can increase by orders of magnitude. Project cost estimates by potential investors n solar research would have indicated minimal short term returns coupled with considerable risk.

Australia is one of, If not the, worlds' largest exporters of black coal. We have enormous deposits of black coal, brown coal and oil, all of which provide cheap sources of power. There has been tittle financial incentive to seek alternatives.

However, energy utilisation has now reached a stage where many small renewable energy systems, sufficient to supply a households needs, car recover their costs in certain locations

In addition, decision makers may now need to include additional factors when considering the profitability of a new or an existing operation. The Natonal Strategy for Economically Sustainable Development wants decision making processes to include economic envonmental and social costs in their estimates. The Victorian State government is conducting an inquiry into environmental accounting which is Iikely to cast the viability of many proposed operations in a new light. Part of this inquiry will focus on the negative impact of any activity on the environment, (see, Enquiry into Environmental Reporting Victoria, Company and Industry News this issue). Schemes for power generation based on solar radiation as well as those based on wind and hydro power should benefit from this new approach because of their low pollution debit.

In 1991 the environmental cost of providing electricity in Australia from coal came to at least 4c/kWh, and 2c/kWh for gas. The average cost of generating electricity in Australia without including environmental costs was 4c/kWh. Costs ranged from 3.3c/kWh when using pulverised black coal in NSW, to an order of magnituce greater when using diesel power in remote locations. Solar thermal energy produced from 80 MW plants in Cafornia were estimated at that time to be between 8 and 10c/kWh. Recent Australian breakthroughs in the design of solar collection systems were expected to reduce these costs significantly, (Taylor, 1991).

Small solar/wind generators coupled with diesel backup can cost effectively supply energy in Australian remote areas.

Potentially, solar energy is capable of providing all of Austrialia energy requirements for industry as well as a substantial part of that required for transport. Incoming solar energy is some 104 times greater than the energy currently produced from fossil fuels.

As well as having abundant sunshine, Australia is a world leader in photovoltaic research and its application to the collection of solar energy for power production. This is well illustrated by work being carried out at

the Photovoltaics Special Research Centre at the University of New South Wales. The Centre consists of some seventy staff and higher degree students. The Centre's objectives are to: improve cell performance, reduce the unit cost of photovoltaic cells and TO develop applications and supplementary hardware. Since work commenced at UNSvV in 1974, numerous improvements have been made in photovoltaic technology, including over twenty 'world firsts'. The Centre is supported by industry and government organisations including sections of the power and petroleum industries.

The Centre is currently a consultant to Pacific Power on grid connection issues reated to the Olympic Athletes' Village. The village will have 665 houses each with 1kW (peak) of solar energy output. This will be, when finished, the world's largest, power grid connected, residential, photovoltaic system contained in a small geographic area.

There are other solar energy investigation and application activities under way, some of which have been mentioned in recent issues. For example, see 'CSIRO Support for Solar/ Fossil Energy Mix', in Company and Industry News, this issue. The hybrid system described utilises solar energy with a solid oxide fuel cell to produce power at twice the efficiency of present day coal-fired electricity generators.

Australian energy providers are now offering customers the option of purchasing electricity produced from solar, wind and land-fill sources. This option is acceptable to many customers who are prepared to pa;, more for their electricity if it helps toward a cleaner and sustainable environment.

At last we seem to be moving with some momentum into the larger scale use of solar enegy!

A Greenpeace report 'The Solar Goldmine', the introduction of which appears in this issue, paints a rather negative picture of our performance with respect to solar energy utilisation. Whether or not you agree, the question remains, 'are we doing enough?'.

Additionally, we might consider whether the Clean Air Society is taking sufficient interest in solar energy.

Reference: Taylor, M., 1991, Harnessing the Wind and the Sun. Department of the Arts, the environment, Tourism and Territories Canberra.

6 Clean Air Volume 32 No.2. May 1998

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

Recent Progress and Some Plans for the Future Neville Bofinger

8 Clean Air Volume 32 No.2. May 1998

Clean Air Volume 32 No.2 May 1998 9

NEWS FROM ENVIRONMENT AUSTRALIA

Petrol Volatility Project

Iff Clean Air Volume 32 No2. May 1938

INTRODUCTION

Motor vehicles are the major contributors to volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in urban airsheds. These substances react chemically in the presence of strong sunlight

to f o r m photochemical oxidants, commonly known as 'photochemical smog'. Although there is evidence of some improvement in the incidence of photochemical smog as various control strategies take effect, it is reasonable to expect that it will remain an issue in Australia's urban areas as vehicle usage continues to grow.

The National In-service Vehicle Emissions Study (NISE Study) carried out by the Federal Office of Road Safety (FORS) raised a number of serious concerns a b o u t 'real world' levels of evaporative emissions from motor vehicles. Evaporative emissions are hydrocarbon vapours which emanate from a motor vehicle as a result of evaporated fuel and oil. The concerns raised by the NISE Study related both to the volatility of commercial fuel and to the durability of evaporative control systems fitted to cars.

The Inquiry into Urban Air Pollution, undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government by the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, recommended a reduction in petrol volatility of 9kPa, and a similar reductions have recently been agreed, over time, between the Government of N e w South Wales and the fuel industry for petrol sold in certain areas of NSW.

A study into fuel volatility was commissioned by Environment Australia and carried out by the Environment Protection Authority of Victoria (EPA Vic). The Federal Office of Road Safety provided additional financial and overall management support for the project.

METHOD AND OBJECTIVES

The Petrci Volatility Project was established to investigate the high level of evaocrative emissions measured during the NISE Study and to determine the effectiveness of strategies to l o w e r the VOC emissions fror. vehicles.

T h e Petrol Volatility Project involved a m o d e s t vehicle testing program, emissions and ai r quality modelling and costing assessments for both the petroleum and automotive industres. In the testing program 4 vehicles were tested using a range of fuels w i t h different .eveis of volatility, and another 9 vehicles were tested before and af:er the installation of a new carbon canister (the c a r b o n canister is a device fitted to trie fuel sys tem of vehicles to prevent fuel vapours b e i n g emitted to the atmosphere).

KEY FINDINGS

The key f.ndings from each element of the Petrol Volatility Proiect are discussed below.

Volatility Component

Lowering the volatility of petrol reduced the evaporative emission from the four vehicles tesred. The relationship was not linear, rather tnere was a tailing off in the magnitude of this effect as the fuel approached the lowest volatility. The greatest reduction in evaporative emissions for successive drops in volatility occurred between the baseline {highest volatility) fuels (74kPa for leaded, 77kPa for unleaded) and the next most volatile fuel (70kPa). On average, this reduction was of the order of 45%.

The effect of lowering petrel volatility was markec fcr the diurnal breathing loss phase for three of the four vehicles tested. For these vehicles, the diurnal breathing loss results contributed the higher proportion to the tota1 evaporative emission results. The hot soak results for these three vehicles were not affected by changes in volatility. One pre-1986 vehice did not follow these results. For it, the hot soak result was the component that responded to changes in volatility and was larger than the diunal results.

Ail vehicles were able to show compliance with tneir respective Australian Design Rule (ADR) evapcative emiss.on limit when tested or: the lowest volat.iity petrol. These fuels were close in Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) specification to that of the ADR certification test fuels. It was encouraging that these vehicles were capable of meeting their original design requirements despite the passage of time.

Exhaust emissions and fuel consumption were not noticeably affected by the changes to petrol volatility.

Canister Component

Replacing the carbon canister led to a decrease in evaporative emissions for seven of the nine

vehicles tested for this component. On average, this decrease was

of the order of 55% for the seven vehicles.

Two vehicles had extremely high evaporative emission results consistent with a system fault, and did not show appreciable reductions with canister replacement.

The new canisters were not conditioned through a controlled load and unload cycle in this project. Consequently, the results represent conservative or 'best case' benefit that can be achieved in replacing a canister. It was not possible to estimate the durability of this benefit. One of the test vehicles had had a canister replaced during the NtSE study. There had been approximately two years between the NISE study and testing for this project. The results were almost identical in both instances.

would require some capital investment, mostly of the orfer of S5 million per company with one exception. One refinery would need to install a butamer plant to remove C4s from the pool in orcer to achieve the 10kPa.

The industry costs (Australian collars), estimated by the AIPare tabulated below.

NEWS FROM ENVIRONMENT AUSTRALIA

These results suggest that for the modelled conditions, the

RVP reduction or canister replacement strategies will

result in reductions to the peak concentrations of photochemical

smog of the order of 2-6%. The Air & Waste Management Association <AWMA) of the USA and Canada has agreed to provide the Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand with a concessional subscription rate for either of their journals - 'Journal of re Air and Waste Management Association' OR 'Environmental Management'. The former is a scientific and technical publication while the latter is a news styie magazine with a focus on developments in the USA and Canada. Both publications are issued monthly and the subscription rate for a CASANZ member begins when oayment is received by AWMA. The journals will be sent in bulk to CASANZ and the Secretariat will arrange the distribution to CASANZ members.

If you wisn to use this opportunity to subscribe :o either of these publications, please advise the Secretariat in writing and send two payments for a 12 months subscription are:

(a) A bank draft fc US S6E> payable to 'Air & Waste Management Association'

(b) A cheque or money order for Australian $30 payable to 'Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand'

The address of the Secretariat is: CASANZ 1 Denman Street, Mitcham Vic Australia 3132.

(Note: If you wish TO receive both journals it is cheaper to become a member of the A WMA.)

In a recent survey members were asked whether they were in favour of the Society publishing a register of members. The result from over 200 survey returns was overwhelmingly in favour of publishing a register - 83% said yes, 5% said no and 12% did not express a view.

The Executive Committee has agreed to the compilation of a register of members but wishes to emphasise that the register is for the use of members only, tt will not be sold or given to outside organisations. Based on this usage of the register, each member will be included in the register unless the member advises that he/she wishes to be excluded.

A circular will be sent to all members advising them of the plans for a register and giving each member an opportunity to delete any personal items or to be excluded from the register.

12 Clean Air Volume 32 No.2. Hay 1938

Clean Air Volume 32 No.2. May 1998 13

For more information or copies of the report: Kathryn Kelly, Scheduled Waste Section Environment Australia Tel: (02) 6274 1475

NEW NATIONAL OFFICE FOR PEAK SCIENTIFIC

PEAK Scientific lAustralia) Pty Ltd have relocated from Sydney and expandec :her operations and technical service staff to support their growing user base. The appointment of a Sydney based service engineer and tne relocation on of their head office in Victor'a places tnem n a stronger position :c service their customers.

Distributors ir Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia ensure that the Scentific ard Industrial market place has direct and immediate access to the technical and sales support for all the products PEAK Scientific manufacture.

The contact details for PEAK and their distributors are:

NSW, Victoria, Northern Territory & Tasmania PEAK Scientific (Australia) Pty Ltd Tel: (03) 5368 7445 Fax: (03) 5368 7439 (1800 670 039) Email: peakaust@bacchusmarsh.net.au

Queensland PEAK Scientific Queensland & Gas Technology Australia Pty Ltd Tel: (07) 5476 8633 Fax: (07) 5476 8102 Email: gastech@ozemail.com.au

South Australia Adelab Scientific Tel: (08) 8363 4100 Fax: (08) 8363 4070 Email: adelab@ozemail.com.au

Western Australia Scot Scientific Pty Ltd Tel: (08) 9249 8100 Fax: (08) 9249 7224 Email: scotsci@iinet.net.au

REVIEW OF WASTE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

The final report in the series Appropriate Technologies for the Treatment of Scheduec Wastes, prepared by CMPS & F Environment, has been publishec by Environment Austral a.

The report is designed to assist the Federal environment Minister, Robert Hill, decide if appropriate treatment methods are avai!able for the range of scheduled wastes within Australia or if other options need to be considered.

It is also a means for assessing the effectiveness of the current nationa. approach for managing scheduled wastes.

A range of treatmert technologies are reviewed in the report. They include four technologies vvnich are currently in commercial operation; base catalysed dechlorination hydrogenation; in-line PCB reduction with regeneration of transformer oil; and plasma arc systems. A range cf other technologies which are not n operation in Australia are also reviewed.

increashg the Groups current available capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum. (CI inker is the advanced intermediate stage of cement production, requiring only grinding to produce the finished product.)

Latest technology inco'porated in the oroject includes.

the commissioning of a 65-metre long two pier kiln fitted w ith the latest high efficiency frict'ion-drive equiprent -on y tne third of its kind in the world;

* a clinker cooler considered to be the most energy efficient in the industry because cf its head recuperation capabilities: and the first bag filter system for the de-dusting of kiln and cooler exhaust gases to be used in the Australian cement industry - providing significantly bet:er environmental performance.

The Environment

As a signatory to the Federal Government's Greenhouse Cha lenge, the QCL Grouo is committed to employing the most environmental sound ard energy efficient methods of cement manufacture possible.

Tne QCL Group's environ menial achievements have been most marked ;n process energy consumption and waste recycling. Eg:

'" coal consumed (and thus CO? emissions) per tonne of cement produced reduced by 50% since 1992.

* significant use of waste flly ash from tne boilers of coal-fired power stations - that wou d otherwise be landfilled - in the manufacture of high value cement

* deveopment of value added cement products using ground granulated blast furnace slag - a recycled productfrom the steel industry.

For further information, please contact: Anne Gambling Corporate Communications Manager, QCL Tel: (07) 3335 3000 Mob: 0417 731 315

QUEENSLAND CEMENT LIMITED (QCL) GLADSTONE EXPANSION PROJECT

Background

QCL. is Queensland's largest manufacturer of cement and one of Austral'a s major marketers of concrete matenals.

QCL's products and services range includes cement, lime, fry ash and slag, concrete and concrete chemicals, aggregates, testing services, blending facilities and distnbution facilities.

As a member of the Cement Industry Federation, QCL was signatory to tne Australian Government's Greenhouse Challenge and is committed to a oolicy of sustainable environments perfomance.

Since 1990. QCL. has been a whclly-owned member of the international 'Holderbank' Group, tne world's leading supplier of building matenals, giving the company unprecedentcd access to 'Holderbank's' global technology and worldwide expertise.

The Project

The $200 million expansion consisted of construction activity at three sites:

* East End Mine, 24 kilometres from the Gladstone p:ant

* Fishermans Landing, Gladstone * Bulwer Island, on the Brisbane River

(an additional cement silo)

The entire project was completed in just over two years, making t one of the lastest projects constructed in the world to rate. The first clinker was produced on schedule in December 1997, just 22 months after the first major equipment orders were placed.

The project represents tne completion of a five-year rationalisation plan, for the QCL Group, which included the replacement of six smaller, less efficient kiln lines with one world class facility .n Gladstone.

The new project will enable production of 1.6 million tonnes of clinker per year,

COMPANY AND INDUSTRY NEWS

COMPANY AND INDUSTRY NEWS

BTR ENVIRONMENTAL ACQUIRES EMAIL AIR HANDLING

14 Clean Air Volume 32 No. 2. May 1998

Test site using mulched woody material mixed with soil as daily cover in landfills.

The ECO Air heat exchanger can be used in many different applications. It offers higher air flows and significant cost advantages.

m

CALIBRATION OF INTEGRATING NEPHELOMETERS

Non Ozone-Depleting Calibration Gas for Integrating Nephelometers D. B-Dinges

PASSIVE SMOKING - HOW DANGEROUS!

Passive Smoking - How Dangerous!

THE SOLAR GOLDMINE

The Solar Goldmine - How Australia is missing out on the Global Solar Boom

THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT INVENTORY

The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI)

SEEKING THE SECRETS OF EL NINO

Seeking the Secrets of El Nino

R. Allan

INDOOR AIR & ENVIRONMENT NEWS

• Indoor Air Pollution Monitoring in Developing Countries

• Buildings and the Environment in Asia

Coordinator, Lidia Morawska, for SIG 'Indoor Air & Environment'