Quantification of Mercury-Containing Wastes and

Management Practices in Thailand

5th AIT Masters Theses Competition May 17, 2010

Name: Miss Nisita KhongpaitonAdvisor: Dr. Preeda ParkpianSchool/FoS: SERD/Environmental Engineering and Management

2

Presentation Outline

1. Introduction

2. Objectives

3. Methodology

4. Results and Discussions

5. Conclusions and Recommendations

3

Industries Paint (fungicides in both oil and water based) Electrical apparatus (e.g. fluorescent lamps) Control Instrument (e.g. thermostats) VCM, Acetylene and Acetaldehyde (catalysts) Chlor-alkali plants (chlorine and caustic soda) Pulp & paper (Prevent M/O growth)

Agriculture FungicidesMining Gold and silver miningPharmaceutical Antiseptic and preservative in vaccines, Cosmetic

and Detergent, Amalgam in dentist filling

Introduction

1. Mercury Use

4

Introduction (Cont’d)

2. Mercury Transformation in the Environment

5

Introduction (Cont’d)

3. Mercury Toxicity

Mercury poisoning can result from vapor inhalation, ingestion, injection, or absorption through the skin.

1) Organic mercury – Nervous System (CNS) MeHg- Group 2B: Possibility Carcinogenic to human

2) Elemental mercury – Nervous System (CNS)

3) Inorganic mercury – Kidneys, GI tract

6

Introduction (Cont’d)

4. Trade of Mercury in Thailand

Year Hg Import (Kg) Sources1996 30,405 Belgium

Germany AlgeriaSpainU.K.Netherlands JapanMalaysiaEtc.

1998 13,064 2000 12,080 2002 13,110 2004 10,711

2006 14,3632008 6,1552009 3,861

7

Objectives

1. To estimate Hg containing wastes in Thailand

2. To review current Hg containing wastes management and practices in Thailand

3. To compile environmental sound management for Hg use and Hg containing waste

4. To recommend better and appropriate Hg containing waste management in Thailand

8

MethodologyQuantification of Mercury-Containing Wastes and

Management Practices in Thailand

1. Tracking Hg use and its wastes within Thailand

3. Current Hg containing waste management practices

4. Environmental Sound Management Compilation

5. Recommendation better and appropriate of Hg

containing waste Management in Thailand

2. Hg containing waste Estimation

9

Source of Mercury Emission

1. Extraction and use of fuels/energy sources2. Primary (virgin) metal production3. Production of other minerals and materials w/ Hg impurities4. Intentional use of Hg in industrial processes5. Consumer products with intentional use of Hg6. Other intentional products/process uses7. Production of recycled metals8. Waste incineration 9. Waste deposition/landfilling and waste water treatment10. Crematoria and cemeteries

Source: UNEP, 2005

1.1 Coal combustion in large power plants1.2 Other coal combustion1.3 Extraction, refining and use of mineral oil1.4 Extraction, refining and use of natural gas1.5 Extraction and use of other fossil fuels1.6 Biomass fired power and heat production1.7 Geothermal power production

10

Estimation of Hg Emission

Activity rate X Input factor X Output distribution factor for each pathway

UNEP’s Toolkitfor identification and quantification

of mercury releases (2005)

11

Mercury Calculation1.1 Coal combustion in large power plants

( boiler capacity >300 MW)

EGAT’s Mae Moh Power Plant in Thailand (2,625 MW)

Activity rate: Lignite consumption (ton) Ministry of Energy

Input factor: Hg conc. in lignite (mg Hg/kg lignite)

UNEP, 2005

Output distribution factor:

0.4 Air 0.6 General waste

NESCAUM, 2003; Joshi, U.M., 2003; UNEP, 2005

Activity rate X Input factor X Output distribution factor for each pathway

12

Mercury EmissionYear Activity rate

(ton)Input factor

(mg Hg/kg lignite)Total Hg

Emission(kg)Output factor Hg emission

(kg Hg)

1996 16,405,340 0.12 1,969 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 787/ GW 1,1811997 18,010,806 0.12 2,161 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 865/ GW 1,2971998 15,388,095 0.12 1,847 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 739/ GW 1,1081999 13,893,584 0.12 1,667 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 667/ GW 1,0002000 14,120,569 0.12 1,694 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 678/ GW 1,0172001 15,744,116 0.12 1,889 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 756/ GW 1,1342002 15,035,329 0.12 1,804 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 722/ GW 1,0832003 15,406,532 0.12 1,849 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 740/ GW 1,1092004 16,536,694 0.12 1,984 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 794/ GW 1,1912005 16,571,091 0.12 1,989 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air795/ GW 1,1932006 15,815,374 0.12 1,898 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 759/ GW 1,1392007 15,811,050 0.12 1,897 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 759/ GW 1,1382008 16,407,465 0.12 1,969 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 788/ GW 1,1812009 15,818,265 0.12 1,898 Air 0.4, GW 0.6 Air 759/ GW 1,139

13

Results and DiscussionsResults and Discussions

14

Hg Emission Source Ranking

1. Extraction and use of fuels/energy sources2. Primary (virgin) metal production3. Other intentional products/process uses4. Consumer products with intentional use of Hg5. Production of other minerals and materials w/Hg impurities

(include in category 1)6. Intentional use of Hg in industrial processes (Process

Substitution)7. Production of recycled metals (No data)8. Waste incineration (Double counting avoidance)9. Waste deposition/landfilling and waste water treatment

(Double counting avoidance)10. Crematoria and cemeteries (Negligible sources)

15

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

1. Extraction and use of fuels/energy sources 2. Primary (virgin) metal production

3. Other intentional products/process uses 4. Consumer products with intentional use of Hg

16

Current Management Practices of Hg Waste

1. Extraction and use of fuels/energy sources

EGAT’s Mae Moh Power Plant

Source: Simachaya, W., PCD, 2009

1) Air pollution control systems

Electrostatic Precipitator (EP) Low NOx Burner Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD)

17

RecommendationsCo-Benefit Technologies

e.g. 74 to 86 % of Hg can be captured by fabric filter (FF) and other air emission control during testsNot possible to guarantee the removal capabilities

Hg-Specific Control Technologies: ACI (Activated Carbon Injection) + FF can reduce Hg up to 90%

Source: NESCAUM, 2003

18

Current Practices at EGAT’s Mae Moh Power Plant

2) Ash

Source: Cheerarot, R. et al, 2004The landfill of Mae Moh Power Plant

19

Current Management Practices

Offshore Oil & Gas Operation

“Zero Discharge Policy” Re-injecting produced water separator, de-oiler cyclone, chemical flocculation processes

Up-Stream

Exploration & Production

Shipping & Trading

Refining & Marketing

Down-Stream

Electricity

Industry

Consumer

20

Monitor Hg vapor by Jerome meter

Storage at Songkhla Logistics Base

Waste Removal Storage at Offshore

Shipment

Source: PTTEP

PTTEP: Hg Waste Handling

21Source: PTTEP

Vacuum Distillation Recovery of Mercury

Incineration Distillate and dry residues

DELA, Germany AVR/BMT, Netherlands

Rotary Kiln

PTTEP: Export of Hg Waste

22

Where is mercury come from???

Body tissues e.g. in blood and hair

Dental Amalgam Filling

Coffin(part of coffin decoration)

Crematoria and cemeteries

23

Open burning of corpse in some areas

Current Practices of Crematoria

1. Open burning2. Single Chambers3. Two Chambers

24Source: PCD

2 Chambers Crematory

Duration >1 sec. Temperature - before burning 900oC - burning > 1,000oC

2nd Chambers (or last chamber)

1st Chambers Fuel

(Die

sel/

gas)

Tem

pera

ture

Co

ntro

l

Door

Air

Air

Recommendation for Crematoria

25

Conclusions &Recommendations

1. Apply air pollution control systems with higher Hg reduction efficiency or/and add Hg emission control system

2. Regularly Monitoring Program of Ash landfill3. Use two chamber crematoria and training worker

for proper operation and maintenance4. Proper management and practices are required for

fly ash from crematoria 5. Mercury Treatment Plants are required in Thailand

26

Special Thanks

Thesis Examination CommitteeDr. Preeda Parkpian (Chairperson)Prof. C. VisvanathanDr. Siraprapha SanchatjateDr. Katerachada Klankrong

SERD/Environmental Engineering and Management

Head, Research & Education Support Office