Review of Pacifica Papers Report on Tire Derived Fuel
by the
Alberni Environmental Coalition
During the past year (1998-99) Pacifica Paper has proposed and tested the burning of chipped tires (Tire Derived Fuels, TDF), under experimental permits issued by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The permits allowed for two test burns at 2.5% and 5.0% (up to 40 tonnes per day) TDF added to the hog fuel.
The Alberni Environmental Coalition received several complaints about the smell of burning rubber and investigated the possible connection to Pacifica’s experimental burning.
Pacifica has been very co-operative with the Coalition providing us with the report and other data submitted to the Ministry of Environment, two scientific papers on TDF, and a tour of the hog fuel boiler and associated TDF handling equipment. Pacifica believes that burning TDF is a win-win situation. Lower cost, environmentally safe fuel for them and the disposal of excess tires from the waste stream.
Our own review of the “Report on Tire Derived Fuel Addition to #4 Power Boiler at Alberni Specialties”, reveals some concerns.
In general, it looks like there may be higher particulate concentrations with TDF and non-TDF burns (If high anomalous results are removed from each test regime they average about 50 mg/m3 for non-TDF to about 60 mg/m3 for TDF). The test results (Table pg. 8) show both TDF and nonTDF above the PM10 target of 50 mg/m3.
Heavy metals as a % of total particulates were relatively similar.
Flyash and bottom ash residues showed significant increases in zinc content with TDF, this may have implications for workers who are charged with handling, transporting, and disposing of this material. We will continue our research on zinc toxicity and would urge the Paperwork’s Union to do their own independent review. There is also a concern with dry zinc laden ash being wind blow during transportation and storage.
The report did show one upset from “normal-safe” operations. Because upsets are when toxic emission will most likely occur, we would like to know how often upsets happen? The logbook from #4 power boiler could give an indication of the frequency of upset events, the Ministry of Environment should request that information.
The report indicates (pg.4) that based on a study conducted by the Washington State Department of Ecology they expect little or no change in polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) emissions from TDF additions in wood fired power boilers. Our own review of the 1987 paper (Measurement of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Metals from burning Tire Chips for Supplementary Fuel) was less than convincing. All tables where PAH’s were described showed increases from burning TDF compared to non-TDF and we would be slow to conclude that there was little or no change in PAH’s with TDF fuels.
We have been presented with no peer reviewed literature on PAH’s expectations from TDF burning and no local testing to confirm expectations of PAH’s emissions. Given the potential negative public health impacts we believe that this is a serious shortcoming. The B.C. Ministry of Environment should require a more through review of the literature and actual testing for PAH’s at Pacifica’s mill site in Port Alberni before granting an amended permit.
Finally, Pacifica provided us with the results of Dioxin testing of flyash during TDF burning. The tests showed that 5% TDF had 768 parts per trillion 2,3,7,8,TCDD TEQ and non-TDF had 823 ppt TEQ. Which may show a slight improvement in dioxin emissions. However we still believe that dioxins and furans should be tested in the air emissions in case the electrostatic precipitators are not cleaning all the dioxins from the emissions stream.
The evidence of dioxin contaminated flyash (estimated at 40 tonnes/day) (pg.12) is very troubling. An astounding 32 milligrams TEQ/day of the world’s most toxic man made chemical. This would amount to about 1gram of TEQ/month. What is the fate of this highly toxic chemical when it is transported, again an elevated concern about windblown distribution, and the fate of those charged with handling this material? What special instructions are given to those workers who handle this material? What special provisions are taken to prevent this dioxin-laden flyash from contaminating the environment, and entering the food chain by leaching from Pacifica’s industrial landfill?
