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At least 595 records · Page 33

2012 Update to the Site Discharge Pollution Prevention Plan, Rev. 1: Sandia/Mortandad Watershed Receiving Waters: Sandia Canyon, Cañada del Buey, Mortandad Canyon, and Ten-Site Canyon (Vol. 2)

Two historical industrial activity areas are associated with S001, S-SMA-0.25: Sites 03-013(a) and 03-052(f). Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) 03-013(a) is a 1500-ft-long corrugated metal pipe (CMP) storm drain that served building 03-0038. The storm drain ran underground around building 03-0038, east along the south side of the Otowi Building (building 03-0261) and connected to four other storm drains before daylighting 100 ft east of the Otowi Building where it became an open concrete- and rock-lined ditch. The open drain continued past transportable office buildings (buildings 03-1616 and 03-1617) and passed beneath streets and sidewalks to a point northeast of the Oppenheimer Study Center (building 03-0207) where it discharged to the SWMU 03-052(f) outfall before draining into Sandia Canyon. Most of the CMP associated with SWMU 03-013(a) was removed in 2004 to accommodate the construction of the National Security Science Building (03-1400) and a new parking structure (03-1402) east of the Otowi Building. The CMP was managed as nonhazardous/nonradioactive industrial waste. Inspection of the drainline trench showed no evidence of a release from the drainpipe. A new storm drainline was installed west of SWMU 03-052(f) to manage storm water runoff from the new parking structure. The new storm drain discharges to SWMU 03-052(f). Potential contaminants associated with industrial materials historically managed at this Site are metals and petroleum products. SWMU 03-052(f) is a formerly permitted outfall (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] 03A023) that received wastewater from floor drains [Area of Concern (AOC) 03-013(b)], sinks, water fountains, and a storm drain [SWMU 03-013(a)], which served building 03-0038 until 1987 when the drains in building 03-0038 were rerouted to the Technical Area 03 (TA-03) sanitary sewer system. Stoddard solvents, dry acid, and caustic materials from the maintenance shop were discarded through sinks and floor drains to this outfall. Spent paint solvents and cutting oils contaminated with machined beryllium particles may also have been released to the floor drains during the 1960s and 1970s. In addition, cooling water for welding torches was discharged directly to the drains. The first spill was approximately 200 gal. of a water-waste oil mixture that was discharged when an automatic compressor blowdown mechanism failed. A second spill from a ruptured air-compressor oil line resulted in the release of approximately 1 qt of compressor oil to the drain. This spill produced an oily sheen on the surface of the water at the SWMU 03-052(f) outfall. A third spill occurred when approximately 15 gal. of diesel fuel was released from a ruptured truck fuel line into the utilities construction trench between buildings 03-1793 and 03-1794. On the same day, a clay sewer pipe in the utility trench broke, releasing approximately 2000 gal. of wastewater into the excavation. A sump was used to remove the wastewater from the excavation, and the wastewater was discharged to SWMU 03-052(f). The diesel-contaminated asphalt and soil were removed and disposed of. Runoff from parking lots and the surrounding areas also discharges to the outfall. Outfall 03A023 was removed from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit on July 11, 1997. Potential contaminants associated with industrial materials historically managed at this Site are volatile organic solvents, petroleum products, and metals included in discharges from the maintenance contractor’s shop in building 03-38 and three reported petroleum hydrocarbon spills.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Development of Pollution Prevention Technologies

This project investigated technologies that may reduce environmental pollution. This was a basic research/educational project addressing two major areas: A. In the algae research project, newly isolated strains of microalgae were investigated for feedstock production to address the production of renewable fuels. An existing collection of microalgae was screened for lipid composition to determine strains with superior composition of biofuel molecules. As many microalgae store triacylglycerides in so-called oil bodies, selected candidate strains identified from the first screen that accumulate oil bodies were selected for further biochemical analysis, because almost nothing was known about the biochemistry of these oil bodies. Understanding sequestration of triacylglycerides in intracellular storage compartments is essential to developing better strains for achieving high oil productivities by microalgae. At the onset of the project there was almost no information available on how to obtain detailed profiles of lipids from strains of microalgae. Our research developed analytical methods to determine the lipid profiles of novel microalgal strains. The project was embedded into other ongoing microalgal projects in the Polle laboratory. The project benefited the public, because students were trained in cell cultivation and in the operation of state-of-the-art analytical equipment. In addition, students at Brooklyn College were introduced into the concept of a systems biology approach to study algal biofuels production. B. A series of new nanostructured catalysts were synthesized, and characterized by a variety of physical and chemical methods. Our catalyst design leads to active nanostructures comprising small metal particles in intimate contact with strongly basic sites provided by the supports, which include poly(4-vinylpyridine), magnesium oxide, functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and graphene oxide. The new materials display a good potential as catalysts for reactions of relevance to the manufacture of cleaner fossil fuels and biodiesel, and to hydrogen storage in organic liquids. Specifically the catalysts are highly active in the hydrogenation of aromatic and heteroaromatic components of fossil fuels, the reduction of unsaturated C=C bonds in biodiesel, and the dehydrogenation of nitrogen heterocycles. In the course of our studies we identified a novel dual-site substrate-dependent hydrogenation mechanism that explains the activity and selectivity data obtained and the resistance of the new catalysts to poisoning. These results represent an important advance in basic catalytic science, regarding design and synthesis and reaction mechanisms. Additionally, this project allowed the enhancement of the laboratory facilities in the Chemistry Department of Brooklyn College for catalysis and energy research, and served as an excellent vehicle for the training of several young researchers at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral level, to join the national scientific workforce.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Curbing Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Industrial Boilers in China

China’s industrial boiler systems consume 700 million tons of coal annually, accounting for 18% of the nation’s total coal consumption. Together these boiler systems are one of the major sources of China’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, producing approximately 1.3 gigatons (Gt) of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) annually. These boiler systems are also responsible for 33% and 27% of total soot and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions in China, respectively, making a substantial contribution to China’s local environmental degradation. The Chinese government - at both the national and local level - is taking actions to mitigate the significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution related to the country’s extensive use of coal-fired industrial boilers. The United States and China are pursuing a collaborative effort under the U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group to conduct a comprehensive assessment of China’s coal-fired industrial boilers and to develop an implementation roadmap that will improve industrial boiler efficiency and maximize fuel-switching opportunities. Two Chinese cities – Ningbo and Xi’an – have been selected for the assessment. These cities represent coastal areas with access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and inland regions with access to interprovincial natural gas pipelines, respectively.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

SEE Action Guide for States: Energy Efficiency as a Least-Cost Strategy to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution and Meet Energy Needs in the Power Sector

This guide is designed to provide information to state decision makers and staff on options to advance energy efficiency through strategies designed or implemented at the state and local levels of government and in the private sector.1 The information in this guide is intended to be useful to a wide variety of partners and stakeholders involved in energy-related discussions and decision-making at state and local levels. These energy efficiency options, or “pathways” as they are identified in this guide, can assist states in using energy efficiency to meet air pollution reduction and other policy objectives such as energy affordability and reliability. A pathway is a set of interdependent actions that results in measurable energy savings streams and associated avoided air emissions and other benefits over a period of time. These activities can include state, local, or private sector regulations, policies, programs and other activities. For each of five broad pathways that offer sizable cost-effective energy savings, the guide addresses likely questions policy makers and regulators face when screening for the best opportunities to advance energy efficiency in their state.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Air Pollutant Emissions Projections for the Cement and Steel Industry in China and the Impact of Emissions Control Technologies

China’s cement and steel industry accounts for approximately half of the world’s total cement and steel production. These two industries are two of the most energy-intensive and highest carbon dioxide (CO 2 )-emitting industries and two of the key industrial contributors to air pollution in China. For example, the cement industry is the largest source of particulate matter (PM) emissions in China, accounting for 40 percent of its industrial PM emissions and 27 percent of its total national PM emissions. The Chinese steel industry contributed to approximately 20 percent of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) emissions and 27 percent of PM emissions for all key manufacturing industries in China in 2013. In this study, we analyzed and projected the total PM and SO 2 emissions from the Chinese cement and steel industry from 2010–2050 under three different scenarios: a Base Case scenario, an Advanced scenario, and an Advanced EOP (end-of-pipe) scenario. We used bottom-up emissions control technologies data and assumptions to project the emissions. In addition, we conducted an economic analysis to estimate the cost for PM emissions reductions in the Chinese cement industry using EOP control technologies, energy efficiency measures, and product change measures. The results of the emissions projection showed that there is not a substantial difference in PM emissions between the Base Case and Advanced scenarios, for both the cement and steel industries. This is mainly because PM emissions in the cement industry caused mainly by production process and not the fuel use. Since our forecast for the cement production in the Base Case and Advanced scenarios are not too different from each other, this results in only a slight difference in PM emissions forecast for these two scenarios. Also, we assumed a similar share and penetration rate of control technologies from 2010 up to 2050 for these two scenarios for the cement and steel industry. However, the Advanced EOP scenario showed significantly lower PM emissions for the cement industry, reaching to 1.7 million tons of PM in 2050, which is less than half of that in the other two scenarios. The Advanced EOP scenario also has the lowest SO 2 emissions for the cement industry in China, reaching to 212,000 tons of SO 2 in 2050, which is equal to 40 percent of the SO 2 emissions in the Advanced scenario and 30 percent of the emissions in the Base Case scenario. The SO 2 emission is mainly caused by fuel (coal) burning in cement kiln or steel processes. For the steel industry, the SO 2 emissions of the Advanced EOP scenario are significantly lower than the other scenarios, with emissions declining to 323,000 tons in 2050, which is equal to 21 percent and 17 percent of the emissions of Advanced and Base Case scenarios in 2050, respectively. Results of the economic analysis show that for the Chinese cement industry, end-of-pipe PM control technologies have the lowest abatement cost per ton of PM reduced, followed by product change measures and energy efficiency measures, respectively. In summary, in order to meet Chinese national and regional air quality standards, best practice end-of-pipe emissions control technologies must be installed in both cement and steel industry and it must be supplemented by implementation of energy efficiency technologies and reduction of cement and steel production through structural change in industry.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the TA-03-38 Carpenter's Shop, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Revision 3 Final, January 2018

The TA-03-38 CS is part of LANL’s Utilities and Infrastructure (UI) Facilities Operations Directorate (FOD) with day-to-day management provided by the Logistics Division Central Shops (LOG-CS); which has established a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team (PPT) whose members are responsible for assisting the facility manager in developing and revising the facility’s SWPPP as well as maintaining control measures and taking corrective actions when required. All PPT members will have access to either a hard copy or an electronic version of this SWPPP. A list of PPT members along with duties and contact information is provided in Appendix A of this SWPPP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the TA-03-38 Metals Fabrication Shop, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Revision 3 Final, January 2018

The TA-03-38 MFS is part of LANL’s Utilities and Infrastructures (UI) Facilities Operations Directorate (FOD) with day-to-day management provided by the Logistics Division Central Shops (LOG-CS); which has established a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team (PPT) whose members are responsible for assisting the facility manager in developing and revising the facility’s SWPPP as well as maintaining control measures and taking corrective actions when required. All PPT members will have access to either a hard copy or an electronic version of this SWPPP. A list of PPT members along with duties and contact information is provided in Appendix A of this SWPPP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the TA-03-22 Power and Steam Plant, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Revision 3 Final, January 2018

The TA-03-22 Power and Steam Plant (PSP) is part of LANL’s Utilities and Institutional (UI) Facilities Operations Directorate (FOD) with day-to-day management provided by UI facility and operations personnel; which has established a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team (PPT) whose members are responsible for assisting the facility manager in developing and revising the facility’s SWPPP as well as maintaining control measures and taking corrective actions when required. All PPT members will have access to either a hard copy or an electronic version of this SWPPP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the TA-60-02 Salvage/Warehouse, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Revision 3 Final, January 2018

The TA-60-02 Salvage/Warehouse is part of LANL’s Utilities and Infrastructures (UI) Facilities Operations Directorate (FOD) with day-to-day management provided by the Logistics Division Central Shops (LOG -CS); which has established a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Team (PPT) whose members are responsible for assisting the facility manager in developing and revising the facility’s SWPPP as well as maintaining control measures and taking corrective actions when required. All PPT members will have access to either a hard copy or an electronic version of this SWPPP. A list of PPT members along with duties and contact information is provided in Appendix A of this SWPPP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants – Radionuclide Emissions Calendar Year 2017

Report submitted to regulators (State of Nevada and EPA Region IV). Required to document compliance with 40 CFR 61 Subpart H. The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO) operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and the North Las Vegas Facility (NLVF). From 1951 through 1992, the NNSS was the continental testing location for U.S. nuclear weapons. The release of radionuclides from NNSS activities has been monitored since the initiation of atmospheric testing. After 1962, testing was limited to underground detonations, which greatly reduced radiation exposure to the public. Since nuclear testing ended in 1992, radiation monitoring focused on detecting airborne radionuclides from historically contaminated soils. These radionuclides are derived from re-suspension of soil (primarily by wind) and emission of tritium-contaminated soil moisture through evapotranspiration. Low amounts of legacy-related tritium are also emitted to air at the NLVF, an NNSS support complex in North Las Vegas. To protect the public from harmful levels of man-made radiation, the Clean Air Act, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Part 61 Subpart H) (CFR 2010a) limits the release of radioactivity from a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility to that which would cause 10 millirem per year (mrem/y) effective dose equivalent to any member of the public. This limit does not include radiation unrelated to NNSS activities. Unrelated doses could come from naturally occurring radioactive elements, from sources such as medically or commercially used radionuclides, or from sources outside of the United States, such as Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was damaged in 2011. NNSA/NFO demonstrates compliance with the NESHAP limit by using environmental measurements of radionuclide air concentrations at critical receptor locations on the NNSS (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and DOE 1995). This method was approved by the EPA in 2001 (EPA 2001a) and has been the method used to demonstrate compliance with the 40 CFR 61.92 dose standard since 2005. Six locations on the NNSS have been established to act as critical receptor locations to demonstrate compliance with the NESHAP limit. These locations are actually pseudo-critical receptor stations because no member of the public resides at these onsite locations. Compliance is demonstrated if the measured annual average concentration is less than the NESHAP Concentration Level (CL) for Environmental Compliance listed in 40 CFR 61, Appendix E, Table 2 (CFR 2010a). For multiple radionuclides, compliance is demonstrated when the sum of the fractions (determined by dividing each radionuclide’s concentration by its CL and then adding the fractions together) is less than 1.0. In 2017, the potential dose from radiological emissions to air from both current and past NNSS activities was well below the 10 mrem/y dose limit. This is demonstrated by air sampling data collected at the critical receptor air monitoring stations which had average concentrations of radioactivity that were a fraction of the CL values. Concentrations ranged from 0.2% to a maximum of 5.7% of the allowed NESHAP limit. Clean Air Package 1988 (CAP88) was used to model dose to the offsite public from all 2017 NNSS radionuclide emissions. The model showed the maximally exposed individual to be on the adjacent U.S. Air Force Nevada Test and Training Range; this individual received a dose of 0.07 mrem/y. The potential dose to the public from NLVF emissions was also very low at 0.0000098 mrem/y, over six orders of magnitude lower than the 10 mrem/y limit.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗