industrial sources of mercury in the atmosphere jim orgeron staff environmental scientist,...
TRANSCRIPT
Industrial Sources of
Mercury in the Atmosphere
Jim OrgeronStaff Environmental Scientist,
Environmental Planning Division
•Mercury emissions from man made and natural sources are released into the atmosphere
•Mercury can be transported locally, regionally and/or globally in the atmosphere
•A portion of the mercury eventually settles to the ground or is found in rainwater
•This deposited mercury enters water bodies
Mercury Deposition
•1999-2000 time frame
•Estimates 53% of Louisiana mercury emissions are deposited in Louisiana
EPA Air Deposition Monitoring
• Federal rules (mercury is a hazardous air pollutant)
• 40 CFR Parts 61 and 63 (MACT rules)
• Sets control requirements and work practices for major sources only
• A few compliance dates in the future
• Louisiana state rule (mercury is an air toxic air pollutant)
• LAC 33:III.Chapter 51
• Sets control requirements and work practices for major sources only
• Compliance date 12/20/1996
Mercury Air Rules Which Apply to
Facilities in Louisiana
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Chloralkali UtilitiesEAFOil & GasAll others
• No penalty for over-reporting• Reporting thresholds apply
Mercury/Mercury Compound Emissions
2003 TRI (lbs/yr)
0500
100015002000250030003500400045005000
2000
2001
2002
2003
Hg
Linear(Hg)
• Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in 2000.
All Louisiana Facilities Total Actual Mercury
Emissions (lbs/yr)
Chloralkali Plants• 2 Plants in Louisiana report 2125
pounds of Mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified)
• Both plants subject to federal MACT rule specifically targets mercury
– Promulgated 12/19/2003 (68 FR 70904)
– Compliance date—12/19/2006 – Estimated about 93% reduction
By product hydrogen streamsEnd box ventilation system ventsMercury thermal recovery unit vents
Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air
Emissions
1900
2000
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
2600
2000
2001
2002
2003
Hg
Linear(Hg)
Louisiana Chloralkali Facility Total Actual
Mercury Emissions (lbs/yr)
Coal Burning Electrical Utilities•6 Units in Louisiana reported 1434
pounds of mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified)
•All units will be subject to federal MACT rule specifically targets mercury
–Proposed 1/30/2004 (69 FR 4652) and 3/16/2004 (69 FR 12398)
–EPA proposed control program and cap and trade program
–Compliance Dates—3 years after final rule or January 1, 2010 and 2018
–Estimated 29% or 69% at 2018
Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air
Emissions (cont.)
0200400600800
10001200140016001800
2000
2001
2002
2003
Hg
Linear(Hg)
• Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in 2000.
Louisiana Electrical Utility Facility Total Actual Mercury
Emissions (lbs/yr)
Electrical Arc Furnaces•1 Unit in Louisiana reported 451
pounds of mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified)
–TRI submittal estimate based on new emission factor
–Preliminary stack test results indicate emissions much lower (<20 pounds)
•Unit will be subject to federal MACT–Initially delisted 6/4/1996–Rule for area (minor) sources will be proposed (EPA memo 11/18/2002)
–No timing available–No control estimate available
Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air
Emissions (cont.)
Oil and Gas Facilities• 11 facilities in Louisiana report 292
pounds of mercury to 2003 TRI (unverified)
• Petroleum refineries are subject to federal MACT (40 CFR Part 63 subparts CC and UUU) but the rules do not address mercury
• CC in effect—UUU in effect 3/11/2005
• Major sources subject to provisions of state air toxics rule (LAC 33:III.Chapter 51)
Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air
Emissions (cont.)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Hg
Linear(Hg)
Louisiana Oil and Gas Facility Total Actual Mercury
Emissions (lbs/yr)
• Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in 2000.
• All other sources report 215 pounds of mercury to the 2003 TRI (unverified)
• Includes some pulp and paper mills and some chemical plants
• 40 CFR Part 63 applies to pulp and paper mills and many chemical plants
• Major sources subject to provisions of state air toxics rule (LAC 33:III.Chapter 51)
Largest Mercury Emitters Based Upon Reported TRI Air
Emissions (cont.)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Hg
Linear(Hg)
Louisiana All Other Facilities Total Actual Mercury
Emissions (lbs/yr)
• Emissions data from TRI reports. The TRI mercury threshold was reduced to 10 pounds in 2000.
• State and federal government have rules in place to reduce mercury emissions from industrial facilities into the atmosphere
• Federal government has more rules on the way
• TRI indicates mercury air emissions from Louisiana less than 2.5 tons per year with a slight increase from year to year
Conclusions
For more information regarding industrial sources
of mercury in Louisiana please contact:
Jim Orgeron
(225) 219-3578
