Hafnium

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Saturday, July 7, 2007

Asarco El Paso crushed slag was used as ROOFING BALLAST

"Posted on July 6, 2007

Asarco Slags Off
In response to Sick ‘Em, City of El Paso: Going After Asarco, by Chris Cummings. [link]

Great article.

I think that it is interesting that we all look at the "reduced" pollution and repelling blight on the landscape; but, we ignore what is going into the ground. Years back, I was involved in a building renovation project where the existing roof ballast was crushed slag from ASARCO. The roof had leaked for a good while and the water seeped into the structural reinforced concrete roof deck. The acid from the rain and slag had completely corroded the steel reinforcing and the concrete was disintegrating.

How much longer will we allow this albatros to hang around the necks of those who are trying to sell El Paso to progressive, clean businesses. Maybe if we cleaned up our billboard blight, we could better get the full impact of the ASARCO view.

Thank you,

Mervin Moore"
http://www.newspapertree.com/opinion/1522-readers-responses

Friday, July 6, 2007

up to the end of 1996, Asarco's baghouse (Pugmill) had routed exhaust to the 308 ft stack NOT THE 828 FT STACK

1996 Asarco El Paso ALTERATION TECHNICAL REVIEW   Permit No: 20345 Company: ASARCO Incorporated   Project Type: CRVN Facility Name: REROUTE CONVERTER   Record No: 46064  City: El Paso   Account No: EE-0007-G County: El Paso  
.....
PROJECT OVERVIEW
 
ASARCO requested that they be allowed to reroute the baghouse stack exhaust from the pugmill from the present 308-foot stack to the 828-foot copper stack annulus.  There will be no increase, or decrease, of emission rate from this facility.
 
REQUEST FOR COMMENTS  
REGION: 6 Reviewed by: Archie Clouse  
CITY: El Paso Reviewed by: Jesus Reynoso
 
.....
PROCESS DESCRIPTION
 
The exhaust gasses from the holding furnace and converters, which are rich in SO2,  are cleaned of particulate matter before they are conditioned and converted to SO3.  The SO3 gas is then scrubbed with water to produce 98% sulfuric acid.  The particulate matter captured from this gas stream is sent to the pugmill where it is mixed with a little moisture and loaded in rail cars for recycling.  Some of this material is recycled at this facility.
 
A safety inspection has shown that the 308-foot stack is in need of repairs.  The stack was originally built over  80 years ago.  The company wants to reroute the pugmill baghouse exhaust stack to the taller copper stack  annulus.  The old stack will be removed.  The taller stack will give better dispersion of the emissions.
 
SOURCES, CONTROLS AND BACT  
The pugmill is controlled by the baghouse, which is BACT.  In my opinion, BACT has been applied to this facility.
 
IMPACTS EVALUATION
1. Was modeling done? No  Type?  N/A
 
2. Will GLC of any air contaminant cause violation of NAAQS?
NO

 
3. Is this a sensitive location with respect to nuisance?  
NO
 
4. Is the site within 3000 feet of any school?  
NO

 
5. Toxics Evaluation: This is a change of representation for the pugmill baghouse stack to vent into a taller stack.  This will help lower the off-property impacts.
 
COMPLIANCE HISTORY
 
1. Was a NOV issued for construction without a permit?  
NO
 
2. Was the NOV resolved by issuance of permit?
N/A

 
Comments:
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
1. Is applicant in agreement with special conditions?  
Yes
 
Company representative(s)? Tom Martin
 
Contacted via? Fax
 
Date of contact?
9-24-96

 
2. Did the franchise tax verify the applicant to be in good standing?
N/A
 
Permit Engineer     Date  Team Leader/Section Manager/Backup  Date
 
C:\NSRFORMS\FM\TECHRVW.FM
 
Revised 06-11-96