Regulatory, Political, and Economical Aspects As Related to Sustainable

Design of A Biodiesel FacilityPrepared for a Senior Chemical Engineering Design Class at UW

Seattle, WashingtonApril 6, 2005

Tapas K. Das

Washington Department of EcologyOlympia, Washington 98504

E-mail: tdas461@ecy.wa.gov shivaniki@comcast.net

Areas will be addressed in today’s class

• Regulatory Aspects of Renewable Energy Sources and Biodiesel• Governor’s Executive Order for Use of Biodiesel• Clean Air Act and Air Quality Standards• Geographical and Political Issues Pertinent to Growing Crops and

Biodiesel Manufacturing in Washington• Environmental and Economical Benefits of Biodiesel• Costs (Life Cycle Costs)• Define Sustainability - Chemical Engineers’ Perspective• Group Discussion, Questions, or Comments

Clean Air Act (CAA) Enacted 1970 Amended 1990

• The CAA is intended to control the emissions of air pollution by

establishing uniform ambient air quality standards that are in

some instances health-based and in others, technology-based

(RACT, BACT, MACT, LAER). • The CAA also address specific air pollution problems such as

hazardous air pollutants, stratospheric ozone depletion, and acid rain.

CAA Key Provisions

• The CAA established the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for maximum concentrations in ambient air of CO, NO2, VOC, SO2, O3, PM10, PM2.5, and Pb

• States must develop source-specific emission limits to achieve the NAAQS.

• States coordinate with adjacent states, local air authority (i.e., Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in Seattle), and USEPA (Region 10 in Seattle), and issue air emission permits to facilities (i.e., Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and New Source Review (NSR) permits)

• Stricter requirements are often established for hazardous air pollutant and for new source

Criteria Pollutants

Pollutant Description Sources Health Effects

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

An odorless, tasteless, colorless gas which is emitted primarily from any form of combustion-incomplete combustion.

Mobile sources (autos, trucks, buses), Wood stoves, Open burning, Industrial combustion sources.

Deprives the body of oxygen by reducing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen; causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, listlessness and in high doses, may cause death.

Hydrocarbons (HC) or Reactive Organic Gases

Are unburned, partially burnt fuel.

Mobile sources (autos, trucks, buses), formed by the incomplete combustion of fuel.

When combined with sun light produces photo chemical (smog)

Lead (Pb) A widely used metal, which may accumulate in the body.

Leaded gasoline, Smelting, Battery manufacturing and recycling.

Affects motor function and reflexes and learning; causes damage to the central nervous system, kidneys and brain. Children are affected more than adults.

Ozone (O3) Formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react with one another in the presence of sunlight and warm temperatures. A component of smog.

Mobile sources, Industry, Power plants, Gasoline storage and transfer, Paint.

Irritates eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system; especially bad for those with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and old, and pregnant women.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

A poisonous gas produced from nitrogen oxide which is a by-product of sufficiently high burning temperatures.

Fossil fuel power, Mobile sources, Industry, Explosives manufacturing, Fertilizer manufacturing.

Harmful to lungs, irritates bronchial and respiratory systems; increases symptoms in asthmatic patients.

Particulate Matter PM10 & PM2.5

Particles of soot, dust, and unburned fuel suspended in the air.

Wood stoves, Industry, Dust, Construction, Street sand application, Open burning.

Aggravates ailments such as bronchitis and emphysema; especially bad for those with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as the very young and old, and pregnant women.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

A gas resulting from the burning of sulfur-containing fuel.

Fossil fuel power plants, Non-ferrous smelters, Kraft pulp production.

Increases symptoms in asthmatic patients; irritates respiratory system.

Air Quality StandardsNew standards for particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5) and ozone were adopted by EPA in 1997.

Pollutant National           Washington State

  Primary  Secondary  

Carbon Monoxide (CO)      

8 - Hour Average 9 ppm 9 ppm 9 ppm

1 - Hour Average 35 ppm 35 ppm 35 ppm

Lead (Pb)      

Quarterly Average 1.5 µg/m3 1.5 µg/m3 No standard

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)      

Annual Average 0.053 ppm 0.053 ppm 0.05 ppm

Ozone (O3)

1 - Hour Average 0.12 ppm 0.12 ppm 0.12 ppm

8 - Hour Average B 0.08 ppm 0.08 ppm No Standard

Particulate Matter (PM10)

     

Annual Arithmetic Mean 50 µg/m 3 50 µg/m 3 50 µg/m 3

24 - Hour Average 150 µg/m 3 150 µg/m3 150 µg/m3

Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

     

Annual Arithmetic Mean 15 µg/m3 15 µg/m3 No Standard

24-Hour 65 µg/m3 65 µg/m3 No Standard

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Annual Average 0.03 ppm No Standard 0.02 ppm

24 - Hour Average 0.14 ppm No Standard 0.10 ppm

3 - Hour Average No Standard 0.50 ppm No Standard

1 - Hour Average No Standard No Standard 0.40 ppm A

Total Suspended Particulates

     

Annual Geometric Mean

No Standard No Standard 60 µg/m3

24 - Hour Average No Standard No Standard 150 µg/m3

A -   0.25 not to be exceeded more than two times in any 7 consecutive days. B -   Eight hour ozone standard went into effect on September 16, 1997.         But implementation is limited. ppm = parts per million µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter Primary standards are listed in this table as they appear in the federal regulations. Ambient concentrations are rounded using the next higher decimal place to determine whether a standard has been exceeded. The data charts in this report are shown with these un rounded numbers. Details of the National Standards are available in 40 CFR Part 50.

Online: EPA Air Quality Standards Link to 40 CFR Part 50

Air Quality Standards, Cont.

Table: Biodiesel Emissions Compared to Petroleum Diesel

CARB NBB

Pollutants B100(%) B20(%) B100(%) B20(%)

Particulate matter (PM10) -30 -22 -40 -8

Oxides of nitrogen +13 +2 +6 +1

Polyaromatic hydrocarbon -80 -13 -80 -13

Carbon dioxide -100 -20 -100 -20

Source: California Air Resources Board (CARB); National Biodiesel Board (NBB)

State Implementation Plan (SIP)

• The CAA requires states to develop their SIPs that outline how they intend to achieve NAAQS. The SIP-NAAQS system is an example of “State-Federal Joint Efforts” to protect Air Quality.

• The Federal government ensures that provisions of CAA are implemented but states are responsible for controlling local sources of air pollution.

• When an airshed violates NAAQS for any criteria pollutant, the airshed is designated Nonattainment. Violation would depend on pollutant and averaging time. For example, if the 24-hr PM10 standard of 150 μg/m3 is exceeded more than once per year, the area is designated as nonattainment for PM10.

• SIP establishes control strategy to attain and maintain the NAAQS standards through stricter permit limits, control of area mobile sources, inspection/maintenance program, dust control plan, and other measures.

Executive Order“Establishing Sustainability and Efficiency Goals for State

Operations”WHEREAS, sustainability means meeting the needs of current generations without impairing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, and is an important strategy for the long-term health of the state’s economy, environment and citizens; and

WHEREAS, efficiency and cost effectiveness are continuing objectives of state government; and WHEREAS, establishing targets and adopting sustainable building, transportation, paper use and energy use practices will accelerate progress in accomplishing the sustainability goals established in Executive Order 02-03; and

WHEREAS, the use of green building practices can improve employee productivity, improve building operational performance, reduce building operating costs and improve compatibility between the natural and built environments; and

WHEREAS, transportation activities are responsible for a majority of the greenhouse gas emissions in Washington state, and state fleets represent an opportunity to decrease greenhouse gas and other toxic emissions as well as achieve operating savings and efficiencies; and

WHEREAS, state government can reduce the resource and environmental impacts of paper throughout its lifecycle by changing the way we purchase, use and recycle paper;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the State of Washington, declare my commitment that state agencies shall adopt targets and take actions to further the adoption of sustainable practices.

• Agencies will take all reasonable actions to achieve a target of a 20% reduction in petroleum use from the operation of state vehicles and privately owned vehicles used for state business by September 1, 2009.

• By September 1, 2009, state agencies will replace standard diesel with a 20%

biodiesel blend (B20). As soon as practicable, agencies will begin using a minimum 5% biodiesel blend (B5).

Where does biodiesel come from?

– In the U.S most biodiesel is made from soy oil. Last year about 30 million gallons of biodiesel was produced, mainly in the mid-west.  Passage of the Job Creation Act last fall is expected to up the production of biodiesel to 124 million gallons or more.

Washington Snapshot

•Currently about 1 to 1.5 million gallons of biodiesel is being consumed in Washington, mainly by public fleets. By comparison, about 1 billion gallons of petroleum fuels were consumed in Washington in 2002.

•There is currently about 17 biodiesel suppliers in the state

and about 20 biodiesel retail outlets.

•Seattle Biodiesel began operations this spring and expects to produce about 1 to 2 million gallons per year, with the ability to produce up to 5 million gallons.

There is a growing interest to produce in-state

feedstock for biodiesel production from

oilseeds - primarily canola and mustard seed.

Work is being done to help develop markets

for the crush or meal to enhance the market

value of oilseeds in order to get farmers to

commit to growing oilseed crops. 

Without these markets, the oil would be too

expensive to compete with out of state

biodiesel.

A couple of potential projects are under away in Spokane and Columbia counties. Spokane County coops are looking at anintegrated project which would include a crusher and a 2.5 MGYbiodiesel plant. Farmers would grow mustard seed as a rotationalcrop and sell the meal for mustard flour or powder. If this high-value market is realized, they anticipate being able toproduce biodiesel at a cost equal or below fossil diesel. Similarly, Columbia County is looking at growing both canola andmustard seed in sufficient quantities to support a 10 million gallonsper year plant. 

Vegetable Oil Production (Billion pounds/yr)

Soybean 18.34

Peanuts 0.22

Sunflower 1.00

Cottonseed 1.01

Corn 2.42

Others 0.67

Total Veg. Oil 23.66Animal Fats (Billion pounds/yr)

Edible Tallow 1.63

Inedible tallow 3.86

Lard & Grease 1.31

Yellow Grease 2.63

Poultry Fat 2.22

Total Animal Fat 11.64

 

Table:  Total Annual Production of US Oils and Fats 

Table: Biodiesel Emissions Compared to Petroleum Diesel And Costs

CARB NBB

Pollutants B100(%) B20(%) B100(%) B20(%)

Particulate matter (PM10) -30 -22 -40 -8

Oxides of nitrogen +13 +2 +6 +1

Polyaromatic hydrocarbon -80 -13 -80 -13

Carbon dioxide -100 -20 -100 -20

Presently B100 costs between $1.25 and $2.25 per gallons which is pretty competitive with

regular gasolineSource: California Air Resources Board (CARB); National Biodiesel Board (NBB)

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?

"..development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”*

(*) World Commission on the Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission), and “Our Common Future”

Definition of Sustainability

• Sustainability is the action of business in response to Health, Safety, Environmental issues that affect employees, contractors, stakeholders, and the surrounding community.

• It is a balanced process of taking economic and social benefits with care for the environment and preservation of natural resources (stewardship).

Courtesy of: John Carberry, DuPont

Figure: Conflicting Objectives of Sustainable Development

Socio-political Constraints Sustainable Space

Technologicaland Economic Constraints

Environmental Constraints

Fig 2 Methodological framework for life cycle process or productdesign as a tool for innovation

What is Industrial Ecology?

• A metaphor, emphasizing the need to design industrial systems that mimic the mass conservation and material cycling properties of natural ecosystems.

• A new set of systems for chemical engineers to design and optimize, including the integration of chemical processes with processes with industrial sectors (byproduct synergy), and the interaction of anthropogenic emissions and discharges with natural cycles of materials.

• A set of design tools to address byproducts synergy (resource recovery and reuse make the entire process more cost-effective; i. e, reuse of crush or meal from biodiesel manufacturing process), and to integrate environmental performance indices into products and process design.

What Have We Learned Today?

• Group Discussion• Conclusions

Questions & Comments?

Thank you for your attention!