Disposal & destruction

TEAP Task Force on Destruction Technologies (TFDT)

Two years after the Montreal Protocol was signed, the TechnicalReview Panel (the present Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, TEAP) reported in its first Assessment Report in 1989 on the status of the technology for the destruction of CFCs and halons. The Panel concluded that the establishment of approval criteria required detailed technical consideration of each individual technique. At the second Meeting of the Parties, London 1990, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol decided to establish an Ad-hoc Technical Advisory Committee on Destruction Technologies; the text of the relevant Decision is given in Appendix C in this report.

In 1991, this Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed. The Committee consisted of eleven full members and fourteen observers and was chaired by Mr. Abe Finkelstein from Canada. It finalised its report in the course of 1992, in which five technologies were recommended to the Parties for approval. The Parties accepted the recommendations and issued a Decision in which they approved five of the technologies recommended by TAC. In 1995 the Committee updated its report. In two Decisions, taken at the Fifth (1993) and Seventh Meeting (1995) of the Parties, the Parties approved another two technologies. This was based upon updated information provided by the technical experts.

In the year 2000, a technical workshop on ODS destruction technologies was held in Geneva, Switzerland, where also many Parties participated. In a subsequent Decision taken at the 12th Meeting of the Parties, Ouagadougou 2000, the Parties requested the TEAP to establish a Task Force on Destruction Technologies (see the relevant Decision below).

This Task Force on Destruction Technologies (TFDT) was set up by the TEAP, during its annual progress meeting, in New York, April 2001. A first meeting of the TFDT to discuss membership and procedures was held in Montreal, July 2001, back-to-back with the 19th OEWG. The Task Force consists of sixteen full members and three consulting members, selected on the basis of geographical distribution and on the basis of technical expertise. The
Task Force is co-chaired by Dr. Sukumar Devotta, India, Mr. Abe Finkelstein, Canada and Dr. Lambert Kuijpers, Netherlands, who also co-chairs the TEAP.

The Task Force met three times:

• in Eschborn/Frankfurt, October 2001, hosted by GTZ Germany, to discuss the set up of the report and to decide upon all necessary actions;
• in Maastricht, January 2002, to review the draft of the appendix describing the technologies and the part of the body of the report that describes the screening-in of the different technologies, and to take decisions on the additional work to be performed; and
• in Washington, March 2002, before the Earth Technologies Forum Meeting, hosted by the US EPA, during which meeting the report was discussed and reviewed. Decisions were taken which additional actions would be needed to complete the report and certain members were assigned with these tasks.

After a final review by the full TFDT, in April 2002, the report was submitted to the TEAP for review and will become part of the TEAP 2002 Progress Report to the Parties.

Source: Report of the TEAP, April 2002, Volume 3B, Report of the Task Force on Destruction Technologies, pgs. 7-9. UNEP Ozone Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya, ISBN: 92-807-2229-8. Full document available at www.unep.org/ozone.

Approved destruction processes

Thermal oxidation category

• Liquid injection incineration [approved by Decision IV/11]
• Reactor cracking [approved by Decision IV/11]
• Gaseous/fume oxidation [approved by Decision IV/11]
• Rotary kiln incineration [approved by Decision IV/11]
• Cement kilns [approved by Decision IV/11]
• Municipal solid waste incinerators (for foams containing ozone-depleting substances) [approved by Decision V/26]
• For foam containing ODS: rotary kiln incinerator [approved by Decision XIV/6]

Note: these technologies are described in the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Destruction Technologies.

Plasma destruction category

• Radio-frequency plasma destruction technology [approved by Decision VII/35]
• For CFC, HCFC and halons: argon plasma arc [approved by Decision XIV/6]
• For CFC and HCFC: nitrogen plasma arc, microwave plasma, gas phase catalytic dehalogenation and super-heated steam reactor [approved by Decision XIV/6]

Source: Annex VI of the report of the Fourth Meeting of the Parties, as subsequently amended, reproduced in the Handbook for the International Treaties for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Sixth Edition (2003), UNEP Ozone Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya, ISBN:92-807-2316-2, pg 276. Full document available at www.unep.org/ozone.

Suggested Regulatory Standards for Destruction Facilities for Ozone Depleting Substances

(1) Toxic equivalence using international method. Emissions limits are expressed as mass per dry cubic metre of flue gas at 0° C and 101.3 kPa corrected to 11% O2.

(2) Full document available at www.teap.org.

Source: Handbook for the International Treaties for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Sixth Edition (2003), UNEP Ozone Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya, ISBN:92-807-2316-2, pg 276. Full document available at www.unep.org/ozone.

Code of Good Housekeeping

To provide additional guidance to facility operators, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) prepared a "Code of Good Housekeeping" as a brief outline of what should be considered to ensure that environmental releases of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) through all media are minimized. This Code is also intended to provide a framework of practices and measures that should be adopted at facilities undertaking the destruction of ODS.

Not all measures will be appropriate to all situations and circumstances, and as with any Code, nothing specified should be regarded as a barrier to the adoption of better or more effective measures if these can be identified.

Predelivery

This refers to measures that may be appropriate prior to any delivery of ODS to a facility.

• Facility operator to generate written guidelines on ODS packaging/containment criteria, together with labelling and transportation requirements. These guidelines to be provided to all suppliers/senders of ODS prior to agreement to accept such substances.
• Facility operator to seek to visit and inspect proposed senders stocks and arrangements prior to movement of the first consignment. This is to ensure awareness on the part of the sender of properpractices, and compliance with standards.

Arrival at Facility

This refers to measures to be taken at the time ODS are received at the facility gate.

• Immediate check of documentation prior to admittance to facility site, coupled with preliminaryinspection of the general condition of the consignment.
• Where necessary, special or "fast-track" processing/repackaging facilities may be needed to mitigate risk of leakage/loss of ODS.
• Arrangements should exist to measure gross weight of consignment at the time of delivery.

Unloading from Delivery Vehicle

This refers to measures to be taken at the facility in connection with unloading ODS. It is generally assumed that ODS will normally be delivered in some form of container, drum, or other vessel that is removed from the delivery vehicle in total. Such containers may be returnable.

• All unloading activities should be carried out in properly designated areas, to which restricted personnel access applies.
  
• Areas should be free of extraneous activities likely to lead to, or increase the risk of, collision, accidental dropping, spillage etc.
• Materials should be paced in designated quarantine areas for subsequent detailed checking and evaluation.

Testing and Verification

This refers to the arrangements for detailed checking of the consignments of ODS prior to destruction.

• Detailed checking of delivery documentation should be done, along with a complete inventory, to establish that delivery is as advised and appears to comply with expectation.
  
• Detailed checks of containers should be made both in respect of accuracy of identification labels, etc, and of physical condition and integrity. Arrangements must be in place to permit repackaging or "fast-track" processing of anything identified as defective.
• Sampling and analysis of representative quantities of ODS consignments should be carried out to verify material type and characteristics. All sampling and analysis should be carried out using approved procedures and techniques.

Storage and Stock Control

This refers to matters concerning the storage and stock control of ODS.

• ODS materials should be stored in specially designated areas, subject to the regulations of the relevant local authorities.
• Locations of stock items should be identified through a system of control that should also provide a continuous update of quantities and locations as stock is destroyed, and new stock is delivered.

Measuring Quantities Destroyed

It is important to be aware of the quantities of ODS processed through the destruction equipment. Where possible, flow meters or continuously recording weighing equipment for individual containers should be employed. As a minimum, containers should be weighed "full" and "empty" to establish quantities by difference.

Residual quantities of ODS in containers that can be sealed, and are intended to be returned for further use, shall be allowed. Otherwise, containers shall be purged of residues and/or destroyed as part of the process.

Facility Design

This refers to basic features and requirements of plant, equipment, and services deployed in the facility.

In general, any destruction facility should be properly designed and constructed in accordance with the best standards of engineering and technology, and with particular regard to the need to minimize, if not eliminate, fugitive losses.

• ODS Pumps: Magnetic drive, sealess, or double mechanical seal pumps should be installed to eliminate environmental releases resulting from seal leakages.
• Valves: Valves with reduced leakage potential should be used. These include quarter-turn valves or valves with extended packing glands.
• Tank Vents (including Loading Vents): Filling and breathing discharges from tank/vessels should be recovered or vented to a destruction process.
• Piping Joints: Screwed connections should not be used, and the number of flanged joints should be kept to a minimum that is consistent with safety and the ability to dismantle for maintenance and repair.
• Drainage Systems: Areas of the facility where ODS are stored or handled should be provided with sloped concrete paving and a properly designed collection system. Water that is collected should, if contaminated, be treated prior to authorized discharge.

Maintenance

In general, all maintenance work should be performed according to properly planned programs, and should be executed within the framework of a permit system to ensure proper consideration of all aspects of the work.

ODS should be purged from all vessels, mechanical units, and pipework prior to the opening of these items to the atmosphere. The contaminated purge should be routed to the destruction process, or treated to recover the ODS.

All flanges, seals, gaskets and other sources of minor losses should be checked routinely to identify developing problems before containment is lost. Leaks should be repaired as soon as possible.

Consumable or short-life items, such as flexible hoses and couplings must be monitored closely, and replaced at a frequency that renders the risk of rupture negligible.

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

All sampling and analytical work connected with ODS, the process, and the monitoring of its overall performance should be subject to quality assessment and quality control measures in line with some recognized practices. This should include at least occasional independent verification and confirmation of data produced by the facility operators.

Consideration should also be given to the adoption of quality management systems and environment quality practices covering the entire facility.

Training

All personnel concerned with the operation of the facility (with "operation" being interpreted in its widest sense) should have training appropriate to their task.

Of particular relevance to the ODS destruction objectives is training in the consequences of unnecessary losses, and training in the use, handling, and maintenance of all equipment in the facility.

All training should be carried out by suitably qualified and experienced personnel, and the details of such training should be maintained in written records. "Refresher" training should be conducted at appropriate intervals.

Code of Transportation

In the interest of protecting the stratospheric ozone layer, it is essential that used ODS and products containing ODS be collected and moved efficiently to facilities practicing approved destruction technologies. For transportation purposes, used ODS should receive the same hazard classification as the original substances or products. The following proposed code of transportation for ODS from customer to destruction facilities is provided as a guide to help minimize damage caused to the ozone layer as a result of ODS transfers.

It is important to supervise and control all shipments of used ODS, and products containing ODS, according to national and international requirements to protect the environment and human health. To ensure that ODS and products containing ODS do not constitute an unnecessary risk, they must be properly packaged and labelled. Instructions to be followed in the event of danger or accident must accompany each shipment to protect human beings and the environment from any danger that might arise during the operation.

Notification of the following information must be provided at any intermediate stage of the shipment from the place of dispatch until its final destination. When making notification, the notifier shall supply the information requested on the consignment note, with particular regard to:

• The source and composition of the ODS, and products containing ODS, including the customer's identity;
• Arrangements for routing and for insurance against damage to third parties;
  Measures to be taken to ensure safe transport and, in particular, compliance by the carrier with the conditions laid down for transport by the member states concerned;
• The identity of the consignee, who should possess an authorized centre with adequate technical capacity for the destruction; and
  
• The existence of a contractual agreement with the consignee concerning the destruction of ODS and products containing ODS.

This code of transportation does not apply to the disposal of ODS-containing rigid insulation foams. The most appropriate way to dispose of such products may be by incineration in municipal waste incinerators.

Monitoring

Where national standards do not exist, the TAC recommends adoption of the following monitoring guidelines to ensure that destruction processes operating with an approved technology meet the suggested minimum standards contained in this report:

• All sampling and analysis of ODS and other required pollutants, including dioxins and furans, shall be carried out using ISO-standards.
  
• ISO-standards for reference measurement methods and the calibration of automatic measurement systems shall also be applied.
  
• Parties may use their own standards after having demonstrated that the results are comparable with results using ISO-standards.
  
• While awaiting the elaboration of ISO-standards, national standards shall apply.
  
• If no national or ISO-standards are available corresponding US EPA methods can be used.

Measurement of ODS

Operators of destruction facilities should take all necessary precautions concerning the storage and inventory control ODS containing material received for destruction. Prior to feeding the ODS to the approved destruction process, the following procedures are recommended:

• The mass of the ODS containing material must be determined.
  
• Representative samples should be taken where appropriate to verify that the concentration of ODS matches the description given on the delivery documentation.
  
• Samples should be analyzed by an approved method. If no approved methods are available, the adoption of US EPA methods 5030 and 8240 is recommended.
  
• All records from these mass and ODS concentration measurements must be documented and kept in accordance with ISO 9000 or equivalent.

Control Systems

Operators shall ensure that destruction processes are operated efficiently to ensure complete destruction of ODS to the extent that it is technically feasible for the approved process. This shall include the use of appropriate measurement devices and sampling techniques to monitor the operating parameters, burn conditions, and mass concentrations of the pollutants that are generated by the process.

Gaseous emissions from the process must be monitored and analyzed using appropriate instrumentation. This should be supplemented by regular spot checks using manual stack-sampling methods. Other environmental releases, such as liquid effluents and solid residues, require laboratory analysis on a regular basis.

The continuous monitoring recommended for on-going process control, including off-gas cleaning systems, is as follows:

• Measurement of appropriate reaction and process temperatures.
  
• Measurement of flue gas temperatures before and after the gas cleaning system.
  
• Measurement of flue gas concentrations for oxygen and carbon monoxide.

Any additional continuous monitoring requirements are subject to the national regulatory authority that has jurisdiction. The performance of on-line monitors and instrumentation systems must be periodically checked and validated. When measuring detection limits, error values at the 95% confidence level must not exceed 20%.

At no time during the destruction process must the measured pollutants exceed the acceptable minimum standards stated in this report. The approved processes must be equipped with automatic cut-off control systems on the ODS feed system, or be able to go into standby mode whenever:

• The temperature in the reaction chamber is below 8500C.
• The required minimum destruction conditions stated in the performance specifications cannot be maintained.

Performance Measurements

The ODS destruction efficiency, for a process within an approved facility, as well as for other environmental releases, shall be validated at least once every 3 years. Once a destruction facility has been fully commissioned (new or rebuilt) the process must undergo a complete validation to ensure that all facility characteristics are completely documented and demonstrated to meet UNEP requirements. At least three test runs per condition shall be used to determine the limitation of ODS concentrations in the feed and the optimum facility operating conditions. Only those test runs for the optimum condition need to be reported to the appropriate regulatory body.

Tests shall be done with known feed rates of a given ODS-compound or with well-known ODS mixtures. In cases where a destruction process incinerates halogen containing wastes together with ODS, the total halogen load shall be calculated and controlled. Three tests results, each of at least 6 h duration must be completed.

The destruction efficiency (DE) recommended means that less than 0.1 g of total ODS will enter the environment from flue gas emissions, liquid effluents, and solid residues, when 1000 gram ODS are fed into the process. A detailed analysis of stack test results should be made available to verify emissions of halogen acids and PCDD/PCDF. In addition, a site-specific test protocol should be prepared and made available for inspection by the appropriate regulatory authorities. The sampling protocol shall report the following data from each test:

• ODS feed rate,
  
• Total halogen load in the waste stream,
  
• Residence time for ODS above 8500C,
  
• Oxygen content in flue gas,
  
• Gas temperature in combustion chamber,
  
• Flue gas flow rate,
  
• Carbon monoxide in flue gas,
  
• ODS content in flue gas,
  
• Effluent volumes and quantities of solid residues discharged,
  
• ODS concentrations in the effluent and solid residues, and
  
• Concentration of PCDD/PCDF, dust, HCl, HF, and HBr in the flue gases.

Source: Extract from the report of the ad-hoc technical advisory committee on ODS destruction technologies, reproduced in the Handbook for the International Treaties for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Sixth Edition (2003), UNEP Ozone Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya, ISBN:92-807-2316-2, pg 277-282. Full document available at www.unep.org/ozone.

Commercial facilities that destroy ozone depleting substances

Background

Government focal points for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in developing countries ("National Ozone Units") have requested information about the ODS destruction issue - including case studies and lists of facilities - as they forsee in the long term the eventual need to dispose of contaminated ODS. Interest in this subject is growing globally as the implementation of the Montreal Protocol proceeds.

In cooperation with the Co-Chair of the UNEP Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, the UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme designed and conducted a survey to collect basic details about commercially-operational ODS destruction facilities.

UNEP first contacted selected Montreal Protocol focal points and requested them to identify potential survey respondents that met two criteria, i.e. that the facility:

• Meets or exceeds the suggested regulatory standards for destruction facilities as defined by the 4th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.
• Is currently commercially-operational (i.e. not prototype, under construction, or in development).

In some cases, former members of the UNEP Task Force on Destruction Technologies also identified potential survey respondents.

UNEP contacted the companies indicated and invited them to participate in the volunary survey.

Disclaimer

This web page is presented by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for information purposes only.

The information below was provided by the respective company, and it has not been independently verified. UNEP does not attest to its accuracy or completeness. Readers should confirm any claims or specifications for themselves.

Mention of any commercial company, process, or technology on this web page does not imply endorsement by UNEP.

Results

The following are the results as of 21 February 2005:

• Australia - DASCEM Holdings Pty Ltd
• Belgium - INDAVER N.V.
• Brazil - TdB Incineração Ltda
• Canada - Earth Tech Canada Inc
• Finland - Ekokem Oy Ab
• Germany - Solvay Fluor GmbH
• Hungary - Onyx Magyarország Ltd.
• Japan - INEOS Fluor Japan Limited
• Switzerland - Valorec Services AG