Conversion Technologies

1
Conversion Technologies

• Why CTs?
• Some Facts
• 48 Diversion Rate
• 170 Composters ?8.1 M Tons/yr
• 3.2 M tons ADC use in 2002
• 25 million tons of organics still being
  landfilled!!!!

2
Conversion Technologies

• 40117. Gasification means a technology that
  uses a noncombustion thermal process to convert
  solid waste to a clean burning fuel for the
  purpose of generating electricity, and that, at
  minimum, meets all of the following criteria
• (a) The technology does not use air or oxygen in
  the conversion process, except ambient air to
  maintain temperature control.
• (b) The technology produces no discharges of air
  contaminants or emissions, including greenhouse
  gases, as defined in subdivision (g) of Section
  42801.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
• (c) The technology produces no discharges to
  surface or groundwaters of the state.
• (d) The technology produces no hazardous waste.
• (e) To the maximum extent feasible, the
  technology removes all recyclable materials and
  marketable green waste compostable materials from
  the solid waste stream prior to the conversion
  process and the owner or operator of the facility
  certifies that those materials will be recycled
  or composted.
• (f) The facility where the technology is used is
  in compliance with all applicable laws,
  regulations, and ordinances.
• (g) The facility certifies to the board that any
  local agency sending solid waste to the facility
  is in compliance with this division and has
  reduced, recycled, or composted solid waste to
  the maximum extent feasible, and the board makes
  a finding that the local agency has diverted at
  least 30 percent of all solid waste through
  source reduction, recycling, and composting.

3
Conversion Technologies

• Proposed Definition (regulations)
• Noncombustion thermal, chemical, or biological
  processes of solid waste, including organics and
  plastics
• Organic materials
• Paper yard trimmings
• Wood wastes agricultural wastes
• To extent feasible, all recyclable materials and
  marketable green waste compostables are removed
• Owner/operator certifies that materials will be
  recycled or composted

4
UC Tech. Evaluation

• Develop specific and discreet definitions/descript
  ions for each CT evaluated
• Evaluation of technical performance, feedstocks,
  emissions, residues
• ID cleanest, least polluting CT

5
CT Studies

• Lifecycle/Market Impact Analysis
• Description of lifecycle environmental/public
  health impacts of CTs
• Compare to other solid waste management methods
• Describe and evaluate impacts of CTs on recycling
  and composting markets

6
Study Timeline

• UC Tech. Evaluation Report
• Draft to staff this week
• UC Peer Review ASAP
• Public Workshop April 14 in Sacramento
• LCA/MIA Report
• Draft to staff in early March
• OEHHA/DTSC Review in early March
• Peer Review in early March
• Public Workshop April 15 in Sacramento

7
Proposed Regulations

• Establish permit tiers
• Similar to current Transfer/Processing regs
• Limited Volume (lt15 T/Day) Notification
• Medium Volume (15 T/Day) Registration
• Large Volume (100 T/Day) Full Permit

8
Proposed Regulations

• CTs must comply with SMS
• CTs that pass 3-part test not subject to
  regulation
• Registration and Full Permit Tiers require
  monthly inspections by EA
• Must comply with all other local and state permits

9
Proposed Regulations

• Defines distillation, hydrolysis, and pyrolysis,
• Above terms in definition of Transformation but
  not defined individually
• Official Public Notice March 2004