Methyl Bromide Scrubbing

Systems & Technology

Peter J. Joyce

Dr. Roman Bielski

Value Recovery, Inc.

510 Heron Drive, Suite 301

Bridgeport, NJ 08014

Presentation to ERMA

Picton, New Zealand

May 19, 2010

Methyl Bromide Protects Products Worldwide

from Harmful Insects

Produce Grown in Soil Imports & Exports

Strawberries, Tomatoes, Lettuce Grapes, Produce, Wood Packaging

Toxic Exposure to Methyl Bromide plus its Ozone Destruction Potential

has Resulted in Partial Ban by the Montreal Protocol and the EPA

Ozone Layer Protects Against Skin Cancer

“..what the world wants”Direct Release &

Human Exposure

Methyl Bromide Use

Resulting in the “Ozone Hole”Protective Ozone Shield Decays ...

Achievements to Date:

Developed and patented fully operational cost effective scrubbing system to destroy methyl bromide while producing no hazardous wastes*.

Demonstrated the technology on a commercial scale at the Port of Wilmington, DE & Westville, IN

Licensed the technology for the grass-roots expansion at the Port of Stockton developed by M&L Commodities.

* Passed the California “fish test” showing no toxicity at 3 concentrations over 4 days.

California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 11, Article 3, Section 66261,24(a)(6)

Achievements – 2

Achieved BACT – Best Available Control

Technology – as determined by San Joaquin

Valley Air Pollution Control District (California).

US Patents 7,090,812 & 7,678,353. Also

International patent pending.

CH3Br+S

OO

SHNa

Na

+ Na Br

O

S

OONa

OH3C S

sodiumthiosulfate

methylbromide

sodium methyl-thiosulfate

sodiumbromide

Technology Basis:

Methyl Bromide Chemical Reaction in a Water Solution

• Methyl Bromide Converted to Non Hazardous Byproducts

• Br- Anion Analysis in scrubber solution validates MB removal

• Passed the California version of the “Fish Test”

Chapter 11, Article 3, Title 22 Section 66261,24(a)(6)

100% survival of 10 rainbow trout* at all 3 concentrations for 4 days. * Oncorhynchus mykiss

Scrubber performance

Container Fumigation

Methyl Bromide Scrubbing of an Export Container

Westfield, Indiana 9-Feb-06

Time Min ppm In ppm Out % of Inlet Destroyed

10:54 0 10,891 na Na

11:09 15 5,409 420 92.2%

11:17 23 4,105 350 91.5%

11:31 37 2,787 400 85.6%

11:42 48 1,991 300 84.9%

13:00 126 770 50 93.5%

13:23 149 601 35 94.2%

13:51 177 450 35 92.2%

14:23 209 342 30 91.2%

Average 90.7%

Lab Scale Methyl Bromide

Adsorption &

De-sorption on Carbon

Low Temp Adsorption then

High Temp (Low Flow)

De-sorption

Scaling Parameters –

Kept Constant:

Fumigation Loading and Concentration

Superficial Gas Velocity Adsorption & Des.

Cycle Times for both Adsorption & Des.

Carbon Type and Size

Temperature

Bed Depth

Cold Storage Facility*:

Port of Stockton, California

Cold Storage Receiving and Export Facility

37,000 square meters of refrigeration space –

needs fumigation facilities –

Start-up in 2009.

Imported grapes and other produce, solid wood packaging.

Export cherries, strawberries, logs, avocados etc.

Designed not to break the “cold chain”

* Developer - M&L Commodities, Inc., Modesto

**Contractor - Controlled Environ. Construction, Tustin

M&L Commodities Phase I and II – Stockton, CA

System Design

Meets all cycle time requirements

Does not influence product movement

Monitored for regulatory control –scrubber solution and inlets/outlets

BACT determination for San Joaquin Valley

Installation at M&L Commodities Cold Storage facility at Port of Stockton, CA

Port of Stockton:

East Complex

Port of Stockton, CA

•4 Phases, 18 Acres of leased land•125,000-160,000 sq/ft per phase•Frozen and Cold Storage•60,000 sq/ft USDA certified • Fumigation•Utilizing V.R. patented scrubbing technology

•Fuel Cell power plant•CBP inspection areas, labs, offices•USDA inspection areas, labs, offices

Conclusions:

• Large scale (ship) emissions control achievable by

recycling carbon – no carbon hazardous waste to

dispose of.

• Irreversible chemical destruction of methyl bromide

in a non-hazardous aqueous scrubber solution.

• Scrubber solution passes the California “fish test”.

• 90% performance guarantee, 99% available at 15%

incremental capital cost.

• BACT – Best Available Control Technology in CA

Conclusions continued:

• Scrubber solution passes the California “fish test”.

• 90% performance guarantee, 99% available at 15%

incremental capital cost.

• BACT – Best Available Control Technology in CA

Recommendations:

• Suggest positive incentives for industry to adopt large

scale emissions controls.

Grants or R&D Support