Document e5b38QLNQ0B1gbadKjrqzndq4

MCI* Ml ^ / /progress REPORT TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SQ. 10651 JOB NO:REPORT:DATE:- 27/7139/2392 No. 2 ' 15.10.70 :&&9- Dlltrlbutlan:- D.B. Shearn/F. Macdonald D.S. Cameron N. Bodger * R.A. Vodden * H. Disley * W. Papageorge D. Hewitt E. Wheeler A.C. Nethercott R. Keller * A.F. Regan / D.W.H. Casey * D. Danna R. Thomas * W.A. Kuhn R. Williams * B.J. Williams * To receive details section Brussels Ruabon St. wLouis G.O. " TITLEi Environmental Contamination by PCB (Atmospheric) PROBLEMt To report on sampling of plant atmospheres for PCB contamination. PERSONNEL! R. Thomas (A.C. Netharcott) SUMMARYi An absorption train apparatus was set up. The plant atmospheres were sampled and the PCB content was ascertained. The results obtained are quoted below. All but a few of the locations have been sampled to date and more samples will be taken so that more meaningful results are obtained. Results varied from practically nil to 0.94 mg/m3 PCB in air. FUTURE WORK To complete the sampling programme and finalise any recommendations. R. THOMAS HONS 057422 Results Area 2 PCB mg/m-* air Comments Drumming Chlorination (Ground floor) 0.38 0.59 0.13 . Indoors. Two roller doors open Enclosed space, large roller door open If If If tl m Santolube 900 0.23 Indoors. Normal process conditions 4NDPA 0.94 (Expansion Tank) Prac. Nil Outdoors. Variable W - E wind (still) Outdoors. W - E wind (Wet and Windy) Aroclor control 0.28 room Indoors Chlorination (First floor) Airblowing room 0.12 0.19 0.12 0.39 Fourth side open. Chlorinators were - shut down. Chlorinators operating Indoors. Normal process conditions. O MCN5 057423 o Recommendations 1. That these determinations be repeated on a regular basis to be decided so that trends can be studied and controls set. 2. That the apparatus be assembled in a permanent portable form for use when required. 3. That any future modifications or recommendations be incorporated in the apparatus. 4. That all storage vessels containing finished product Aroclor be held at as low a temperature as is possible for subsequent handling. 5. That all storage vessels containing finished product Aroclor be fitted with nitrogen fed conservation vents. 6. That emission of Aroclor from venting systems on storage vessels be cut to the very minimum by the use of some suitably designed vent gas cooling/condensing system. 7. That the ventilating systems in the plant office, changing room and control rooms be upgraded so that these atmospheres are continuously purged with fresh clean air. HONS 057424 DETAILS 4- The apparatus consists of two absorbers in series, the first one being charged with 75 mis of toluene. The second one is empty and acts as a catch vessel for any entrained toluene. An indicating flowmeter (rotameter) is next in line with a water filled manometer feed into the line. An indicating dry gas meter is next in line and this is followed by a laboratory vacuum pump which is fitted with an air-bleed valve. Where the vacuum pump cannot be used, as the electric motor is not flameproof, a laboratory size water pump is used. This latter is not as convenient to use and need^ more attention. . ^ The dry air meter used can only be used to a vacuum of 10 ins water gauge so pressure drop through the system must be minimal. This Is why only two absorbers ere used. The absorbers are thoroughly cleaned before each run using the procedure recommended by R. Keller. Air flow through the apparatus is at lj - 1 litre per minute and about 60 litres of air is drawn ' through the apparatus for each run. ' At the end of the run the toluene is transferred to a sample' jar after measurement of final volume.' This sample is taken to the Analytical laboratory where it is reduced in volume to about 3 mis. from 60 - 70 mis. The concentrated sample is fed into the chromatograph and the PCB content is determined.' The temperature of the air being sampled is measured, the manometer is read and a mean reading is established, the barometric pressure is obtained and the air meter is read to find the volume of air used. The absorbers are removed and sealed for removal from the area, but the rest of the apparatus is purged with air to remove any entrained toluene. The volume of air sampled is corrected to 25C and 760 mma of mercury pressure. A PCB result is obtained from the laboratory and this result is converted to give milligrams of PCB per cubic metre of air. The range for maximum allowable concentration (M.A.C.) is 0.5 mg/m3 - l.o mg/m^ for lower to higher aroclors. Results obtained to date range from practically nil to 0.94 mg/m3 which is satisfactory. COMMENTS r These d eterminations are not absolute and there are limitations in Interpretation of the results. At best the results can only compare measured concentration from sample point to sample point. Every effort was made to standardise the sampling procedure but ,for certain locations a different method was used to suck air through'the apparatus. Sampling atmospheres is an inaccurate procedure as things like wind direction, weather conditions and local unexpected contamination can have bearing on the results obtained. Conditions at two different sampling times will nearly- always be different. Two absorbers in Series were used, the first was charged with . "Toluene and the second was used as a catch vessel for any entrained toluene. Despite this catch vessel, loss of toluene was experienced through the apparatus. This loss was allowed for on each result calculation. As air had to be sucked through the apparatus the absorption took place at less than atmospheric pressure and this of course necessitated measured volume correction to atmospheric (standard) pressure. Each volume was corrected to 760 mms. Hg pressure and 25C. The variables determining the degree and extent of constituent 0 distribution are stability of the atmosphere, wind speed and direction, precipitation, topography, emission and formation rates and physical and chemical characteristics of the constituents. 0 / HONS 057426 Equipment used and operating data Electron Capture Gas Chromatographic Procedure Instrument: Detector: Hewlett - Packard 402 Gas Chromatograph High temperature H,63 Electron capture cell 6 mm x 6' Glass column, 4* O.V. 225 on 80/100 mesh Chromosorb W, H.P. Column Temperature: 170C ', Detector Temperature: 260C Injection Port Temperature: Pulse: . 200C 150 - Flow rates: 40 mls/min Argon/Methane 80 mls/min Helium Range: , 10 Alternation: 4 ChartBpeed: 0. 25"/i)iin. RT/EM 15.10.70 MONS 057427 J'