Posted on 09/03/2004 10:49:28 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (AP) - Southern California air quality regulators took the first steps Friday toward regulating pollution from refinery flares - plumes of flame seen at the top of tall stacks in refineries and other facilities.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District's governing board ordered its staff to develop a proposed rule for reducing emissions from the flames used to relieve pressure and prevent fires or explosions.
The governing board intends to vote on the proposal once it is complete.
Refineries have voluntarily worked to reduce emissions from flares for several years, district executive officer Barry Wallerstein said in a statement.
A study found that emissions of sulfur oxides from the flares have gone from 7.2 tons per day in 2000 to 2 tons per day in 2003 - about the same as the total amount produced each day by diesel tractor trailers.
Sulfur oxides contribute to the creation of fine particulate pollution, which has been linked to respiratory problems and premature deaths.
The district has 27 flares in eight refineries, a sulfur recovery plant and a hydrogen production facility, all in Los Angeles County.
In another decision Friday, the district's governing board awarded $834,000 to school districts and bus operators to retrofit diesel school buses with particulate filter traps and to make other improvements to filter traps.
The district covers Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Well a few refinery explosions and the ensuing carnage and destruction should stop this idea. The problem is, how many people have to die and how much damage has to be done, before those idiots stop meddling.
But don't worry, as soon as a shortage develops, they will claim priority on whatever gas is available because of their status as "government regulators".
Talking with a gas company executive, he said "that methane is of too poor a quality" for an internal combustion engine
(converted diesel). Adding commercial methane to boost the BTUs would just really kill the economics of the plan.
Even if the refinery waste gases had the energy, the corrosion replacement costs would probably kill the project.
I bet the heat could be used generate electricity via a steam engine, though.
Just think, do it right, and maybe the steam could be used to make potable water.
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