Gulf Coast Environmental Systems

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PFAS in Landfills

PFAS in Landfills

By now, you have likely heard about PFAS, the “forever chemical.” What you may not know is that landfills are a major source of environmental PFAS contamination. So, what is this chemical, and how do we approach PFAS abatement in landfills?

PFAS in LandfillsWhat are PFAS and Why Are They a Challenge for Landfills?

PFOA & PFOS Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made, highly fluorine chemicals, that are facing strict regulatory restrictions in the near future. Though there are nearly 4,800 different types of perfluoroalkyl substances, there are two that are commonly focused on because of their use in everyday household products: perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Both are considered stable chemicals, comprised of 8 carbons. The stability of these carbons and fluorine atoms is what makes them extremely persistent in the environment, and a problem in landfills, because they are very difficult to abate.

PFAS are incredibly common in the production of many consumer goods, from clothing and pots and pans, to food packaging and automotive parts. Because of their prolific use, they can be found in every landfill. These compounds make it into the air and soil in a couple of different ways, making it a challenge to control.

  1. Many facilities burn their solid waste in order to reduce overfilling at landfill sites.
  2. Wastewater, or leachate, from landfills can runoff into the soil.

These emissions of PFAS are troubling because PFAS are incredibly persistent, meaning they do not degrade naturally, over time. This is due to the stability of these carbons and fluorine atoms; this also makes PFAS difficult to abate. PFAS from landfills and wastewater facilities gave garnered a lot of attention in recent years, because of their known health risks. Studies have shown these higher levels of accumulation are directly tied to a number of concerning conditions, including liver issues, hypertension, developmental delays, high cholesterol, issues with immune responses, thyroid disease, pregnancy complications, and a number of different cancers. [Read more…]

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Pollution Control – Expense, or Profit?

POLLUTION CONTROL CASE STUDYGulf Coast Environmental Systems
WET SCRUBBER CHEMICAL INJECTION & LIQUOR CONCENTRATOR | AUGUST 2018

LIGHTING COMPANY
Employees: 9000
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Electrical Equipment
Sub-Industry: Commercial & Residential Building Equipment & Systems
Project Type: Equipment Proposal

A fortune 500 lighting company that manufactures LEDs and lighting products. This Company provides solutions for automotive lighting, computer displays, LCD televisions, and other applications.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
To determine the feasibility and estimates to convert the existing wet scrubber units to chemical injection for creation of a sellable byproduct of ammonia sulfate.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Gulf Coast Environmental Systems was asked to perform a feasibility project by a lighting company that manufactures light-emitting diode (LED) components. With a large amount of ammonia and hydrogen being released from the reactors during the process performed at their facility, they would need specialized equipment. The hydrogen is treated in an Incineration system (NOx created) with the remaining ammonia being removed using water only in the packed tower scrubbers. The blowdown (Ammonium Hydroxide) from the scrubbers is treated in an Acid Neutralization Systems (ANS) (converts to Ammonium Sulfate) before being discharged into the wastewater system. Waste surcharges apply based on the ammonium (NH4+) content in the wastewater.

The goal of this feasibility study was to determine the required steps and costs involved in using Sulfuric Acid in the scrubbers to get a controlled blowdown liquor that could create a viable revenue stream from an existing liability waste procedure. In addition, the need for the ANS system is hopefully eliminated along with the additional costs of discharging the uncontrolled wastewater. [Read more…]

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Sulfur Oxides

What are sulfur oxides?

Sulfur oxides (SOx) are compounds of sulfur and oxygen molecules. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the predominant form found in the lower atmosphere. Sulfur oxide is the common term for many types of sulfur and oxygen containing compounds such as:

  • Lower sulfur oxides(SnO, S7O2 and S6O2)SOx, Sulfur Oxides
  • Sulfur monoxide(SO)
  • Sulfur dioxide(SO2)
  • Sulfur trioxide(SO3)
  • Higher sulfur oxides(SO3 and SO4 and polymeric condensates of them)
  • Disulfur monoxide(S2O)
  • Disulfur dioxide(S2O2)

These molecules are colorless, but have a very distinct and strong scent and taste that can be detected when the gas is of high concentration.

Sulfur monoxide, SO, is a common sulfur oxide compound that is rarely found outside of space. When concentrated or condensed it becomes S2O2, or disulfur dioxide (see below). Under extreme laboratory conditions sulfur monoxide can be produced by treating sulfur dioxide with sulfur vapors in a glow discharge. In spaced sulfur monoxide is detected around one of Jupiter’s moons, Lo, in the atmosphere and in the plasma torus. It has also been found in the atmospheres of Venus and the Hale-Bopp comet as well as the interstellar medium. In biological chemistry, sulfur monoxide may have some biological activity, the formation of transient SO in porcine coronary artery has been inferred from the reaction products. Because it is rare in occurrence it is difficult to fully understand the hazardous of sulfur monoxide but as sulfur dioxide it is both toxic and corrosive.

Sulfur dioxide, one of the more popular sulfur oxides, is a poisonous gas with a smell that is often described as a just struck match. Sulfur dioxide can be can be liquefied at room temperatures under moderate pressures. As a liquid it freezes at -37° C (-99.4° F) and boils at -10° C (+14° F) under atmospheric pressure. Sulfur dioxide, like sulfur monoxide is often found in space. In the atmosphere of Venus it is the third-most significant gas at 140 ppm. Interestingly, on Venus it is a contributor to global warming and is a key component of the chemical reactions in the planets atmosphere. [Read more…]

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Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion: From Waste to Revenue

Anaerobic digestion is defined as a series or collection of processes by which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. This is the process used by GCES to convert waste into biogases for uses as heat and power.

The Anaerobic Biodigestion Process

Agricultural, Farming & Husbandry Masses Utilized for Biogas Production: [Read more…]

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Why buy Refurbished Pollution Control Equipment?

Why buy Refurbished Pollution Control Equipment?

Budgets are tight…Capital investments are on hold…Everyone is waiting for Tuesday November 8th…and your facility is facing compliance issues.

Yes, we understand!!! Many companies are in a similar situation. Don’t worry, GCES has VIABLE OPTIONS for your facility including those organizations facing:

  • Increasing production
  • Changes in materials processed
  • New facilities being constructed
  • Insufficient or inoperable equipment
  • Pending compliance issues

[Read more…]

Company Profile

Gulf Coast Environmental Systems (GCES) is your custom solutions provider for pollution control systems, industrial ovens, systems engineering and field support worldwide. Our unique approach is to analyze your process stream and business objectives and propose an ideal solution or range of options to help you optimize these objectives. GCES is a one-stop shop: we provide engineering services, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and ongoing support. With our broad base of expertise and large installed global base, we are well-positioned to solve your pollution control issues.

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