[en] This paper takes stock on environmental aspects of production and biomass energy use. These aspects concern the maintenance of planetary equilibria as well as ecosystems and species protection. 18 refs., 10 tabs., 2 figs

[en] A detailed field investigation of the leachate pollution plume at an old landfill with no engineered leachate collection systems revealed the presence of a sequence of redox zones in the plume down gradient from the landfill (methanogenic, sulphate-reducing, iron-manganese-reducing, nitrate-reducing). The organic matter content of the leachate as well as the specific organic contaminants are being degraded in the reduced zones of the leachate plume. Heavy metal concentrations were all very low in the plume. The investigation indicates a significant attenuation capacity in the aquifer that should be considered in risk assessment. (Author)

[en] The article is based on research carried out in Finland and Sweden on the subject of emissions of smoke in the small-scale burning of wood and the factors affecting it. Due to incomplete combustion, small-scale burning of wood is particularly typified by its emissions of solid particles, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and PAH compounds. Included among factors influencing the volume of emissions are the load imposed on the heating device, the manner in which the fuel is fed into the firebox, fuel quality, and heating device structure. Emissions have been found to be at their minimum in connection with heating systems based on accumulators. Emissions can be significantly reduced by employing state-of-the-art technology, appropriate ways of heating and by dry fuel. A six-year bioenergy research programme was launched early in 1993 in Finland. All leading research institutions and enterprises participate in this programme. Reduction of emissions has been set as the central goal in the part dealing with small-scale burning of wood. Application of catalytic combustion in Finnish-made heating devices is one of the programmes development targets. Up to this date, the emissions produced in the small-scale burning of wood are not mentioned in official regulations pertaining to approved heating devices. In Sweden tar emissions are applied as a measure of the environmental impact imposed by heating devices

[en] This review article presents an overall picture of the effects of using biofuels for energy production; effects of using agricultural land for short rotation fuel wood cultivation; emissions from combustion of biofuels and biogas; main problem areas and proposed ways of dealing with the problems; comparisons to other fuels; areas where more knowledge is needed. ( 117 refs., 20 figs., 62 tabs.)

[en] The Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency (PSAPCA) is responsible for managing the air quality in four counties in western Washington State. Woodsmoke has been identified as one of the major air quality problems in this area. Woodsmoke control strategies adopted to date have been associated with decreasing levels of particulates, especially in residential areas. Implementation of the woodstove strategies appears to be at least partially responsible for the absence of wintertime PM₁₀ violations in the region's PM₁₀ nonattainment areas over the past three years. The most effective of these control strategies have been: (1) curtailment of woodstove use during air stagnation events; and (2) public education. However, because woodsmoke is a very toxic mixture, both the long-term cancer risk and respiratory health effects are of concern at levels well below the PM₁₀ standard. Because of these concerns, additional research has been initiated to evaluate the public risk from woodsmoke, new strategies developed to reduce the impact from this source, and the educational program to enlighten the public on the health effects of woodsmoke has been strengthened. This paper will describe the woodsmoke control strategies which have been implemented and concurrent air quality trends. Recent and proposed research on the health effects of woodsmoke and the Agency's woodsmoke education program will also be discussed

[en] Biofuels productions and uses should allow valorization of raw materials belonging to biomass: plants used in food utilization, ligno-cellulose plants, or by-products even wastes from animal or vegetable origin. These bioenergies are renewable energies, and their developments pass through an economical competitivity, a clean and spare production, and atmospheric emissions control of vehicles. The principal advantage of bioenergies is the reduction of fossil carbon consumption and its replacement by a renewable carbon consumption. (A.B.). 13 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs

[en] A study was conducted to quantify the impact of new and improved particulate abatement equipment (PAE) on the economics of new and existing wood waste combustion systems. The operating characteristics of current PAE technology are summarized and the basis for cost estimates is established. The technologies include multicyclone collectors, wet scrubbers, fabric filter baghouses, electrostatic precipitators, and new versus retrofit installations. Capital costs were determined for 4 generic types of PAE and 4 cases for each PAE type according to GJ/h in steam enthalpy. Cost information was developed for wood waste energy systems with and without PAE. In the cost analysis, a hypothetical steam selling price is determined which will give a 25% return on pretax cash flow over a 20-year period. Additional costs of the PAE are applied to the energy system cash flows and the impact on average annual return is calculated. Results indicate reductions in internal rate of return of 3-6% for most PAE systems. 54 refs., 2 figs., 12 tabs

[en] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been concerned with solid waste disposal programs, particularly with toxic chemical contamination of soil, ground water, and surface waters. As EPA's understanding of the solid waste management evolved, solid waste management was found to be a major source of air pollution. This occurred during a time of growing public concern in the U.S. about widespread nonattainment of national ambient air quality standards of ozone, exposure to toxic air pollutants and global climate change. In response, EPA initiated a regulatory program to control municipal solid waste landfill gas emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This paper describes some of the regulatory issues that have evolved during the development of uniform nationwide standards. (author)

[en] Landfill gas, like sewer and marsh gas, is a biogas. It is generated by the biological decomposition of organic matter in solid waste landfills. Once gas production begins, it can continue for 30 to 50 years or more, until all of the organic matter is completely decomposed. The evolution of landfill gas management in the United States began in the 1970s because of the concerns for health and safety. Over the years, there have been many documented cases of loss of human life or serious injury caused by explosions or accumulations of landfill-derived gases. The federal Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) established the first federal regulatory performance criteria requiring landfill owners and operators to control the escape of landfill gas. These regulations have led to the installation of hundreds of gas control systems at landfill sites across the country. Landfill gas recovery, however, has also been demonstrated to be a profitable venture. The success that the landfill gas recovery industry experienced in the 1970s, 1980s, and, hopefully, in the 1990s, has proven that it is possible to use our landfills in a beneficial manner, while reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil

[en] This paper discusses the technology of drying and curing inks, coatings and adhesives which is changing rapidly as converters and manufacturers strive to comply with regulations governing airborne emissions as well as discharge of liquid and solid wastes. Compliance with these regulations will become more difficult in the coming decade as the Clean Air Act's increasingly stringent limitations on emissions of volatile organic compounds are implemented to support the intentions of the Montreal protocol. Many of the customary solvents are being eliminated, and the volume of production for many others will be severely reduced. For some companies, the switch to the new materials means updating or replacing antiquated hot-air drying systems with high-velocity impingement ovens with higher temperature capabilities. Probably the least-expansive alternative to replacing the entire oven is to retrofit the installation with infrared (IR) energy in the form of separate predryers or postheaters or, in some cases, to install auxiliary IR heaters between the hot-air nozzles within the oven