Identifying emission issues. (Environmental, Health and Safety).

In its four presentations, the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Div. focused on emission and cost reduction.

After a morning session summarizing current hot topics, the presentations turned specific, as M. Adamovitz, Ashland Specialty Chemical Co., described strategies for reducing foundry emissions (02-104).

Emissions come from two areas: evaporation of binder ingredients (mixing, mixed sand storage, molding, coremaking, core and mold storage, and coating/drying) and binder decomposition during pouring, cooling, shakeout and reclamation, said Adamovitz.

To reduce evaporating emissions, foundries must examine their volatile organic compounds (VOC) and hazardous air pollutants (HAP), particularly naphthalene emissions. Selecting alternative binder products, such as naphthalene-depleted or naphthalene-free options, can reduce naphthalene emissions.

However, binder decomposition is difficult to pinpoint and control because the emissions can come from multiple sources. Analyzing VOC and HAP emission testing shows that the emissions vary significantly during the process. HAP emission reductions from 8 to 29% relative to a baseline system (developed at the CERP/Technikon research foundry) have been observed, with the largest reductions stemming from replacing aromatic solvents in the binder with nonaromatic solvents.

S. Burkett, August Mack Environmental, Inc., presented an option for foundries to benefit financially from emission credits (02-198).

Under the Clean Air Act of 1990, new sources are required to purchase permits for criteria pollutants. In areas of the U.S. that have capped the distribution of pollution permits, operations emitting fewer emissions than their permits allow can sell the extra credits.

Foundries that were in operation prior to 1991 can generate credits through improved control methods that reduce emissions or through a partial shutdown that results in fewer emissions.

Those credits, once certified and registered with the state environmental agency, can be sold, generating extra income for the foundry.

Other topics covered by the EHS Div. included air, water, solid waste, and health and safety issues, a MACT update and a beneficial reuse liability case study.