Pinellas County Resource Recovery Facility Capital Replacement Project

Author(s):  
Donald J. Castro ◽  
R. Peter Stasis

Pinellas County has completed the first two phases of a four-phase project intended to preserve the life of the Pinellas County Resource Recovery Facility (PCRRF) for years to come. This project, called the Capital Replacement Project (CRP), is designed to restore key portions of the County’s investment, and prepare the facility for a smooth transition to a new operating contract when the current term expires in 2007. By the end of 2004, with the scheduled completion of the CRP project, key plant systems and components are expected to be in robust condition and capable of many years of additional service.

Author(s):  
R. Peter Stasis ◽  
Robert E. Henson ◽  
Ronald D. Larson

Abstract The Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1990 set new emission standards for Waste-To-Energy (WTE) plants throughout the United States. Pinellas County, Florida, has achieved compliance with the new emission guidelines by completing an Air Pollution Control Retrofit to their Resource Recovery Facility (PCRRF) in 2000. Pinellas County, the owner of the PCRRF, now faces the challenge of preserving this investment for the years to come. This paper describes the additional investments being made by Pinellas County as part of the Capital Replacement Project (CRP) to extend the operating life of PCRRF.


Author(s):  
Thomas M. White ◽  
Donald J. Castro ◽  
Robert Hauser

In May of 2003, the 3,150 TPD Pinellas County Resource Recovery Facility (PCRRF), the largest waste-to-energy plant in the United States, reached its 20-year milestone. The PCRRF is located in St. Petersburg, Florida, on a 705 acre (1.1 square mile) site owned by Pinellas County and known as “Bridgeway Acres”. The PCRRF has been owned by Pinellas County, operated by Wheelabrator Pinellas, Inc. (WPI) and monitored by HDR Engineering, Inc. since its inception. In addition to the PCRRF, the County operates both Class I and Class III landfills on the site.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Graeme Waters

On 1 January 2012, a new regulatory framework for the offshore oil and gas industry in Australian Commonwealth waters started. The changes were profound and brought about a single national regulator for safety, environmental management, and well integrity. It also meant that the seven former designated authorities were abolished in favour of a single National Titles Administrator. In the lead up to the reforms, ministers Martin Ferguson and Frederick Moore agreed that officials from their respective departments would implement cooperative working arrangements for the WA adjacent offshore area, to facilitate and ensure a smooth transition for the industry and help achieve the recommendations of the Productivity Commission's review. The authors of this extended abstract reflect on and share the experiences of the past 12 months. An update of the authors' respective agencies' progress beyond the transition phase is also discussed. This extended abstract also outlines projects of interest and how they will benefit the industry and continue to develop the foundations of the cooperative working arrangements between NOPTA and WA-DMP. During the changes and transition program, industry and regulators have strived to engage in the new regime, and the results have been positive. Now is the opportunity for us to come together, ask questions, share information, and examine what has worked and what is yet to come. Several aspects of the arrangements are now evident: the establishment of the National Core Store and Data Repository, the establishment of the National Electronic Approvals and Tracking System (NEATS), and the day-to-day interactions between NOPTA and WA-DMP. The WA-DMP speaker reviews Joint Authority operations for the WA adjacent area since the establishment of NOPTA and NOPSEMA. Bill Tinapple also reviews regulatory framework developments for WA; in particular, changes to provide for shale and tight gas and oil activity, as well as, public engagement to increase confidence in regulatory processes. Coordination of regulatory processes across jurisdictional boundaries are reviewed, including case studies for Gorgon, Wheatstone, and Macedon.


Author(s):  
Joseph K. Robinson ◽  
Pete Stasis ◽  
Mark Schwartz

Abstract The Pinellas County Resource Recovery Facility (PCRRF) combusts 3,150 tons per day of municipal solid waste from Pinellas County, Florida and produces 75 megawatts (MW) of electrical generation capacity. The facility requires about 1.7 million gallons per day (MGD) of makeup water for the cooling tower and up to 200 thousand gallons per day of high-purity water for boiler makeup. The facility currently uses recovered storm water for cooling during summer months (rainy season) and treated municipal wastewater (“reclaimed water”) during the winter months (dry season). The facility currently uses potable water for boiler makeup and is planning to use reclaimed water in the future. Use of reclaimed water for plant water demands is consistent with the philosophy of resource recovery. Reclaimed water, once considered a waste product, is now a valuable resource in water-short areas such as peninsular Florida. Pinellas County’s population of over 1 million people requires water for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Use of reclaimed water for demands at the PCRRF minimizes the impact on limited freshwater resources and can also build support for the facility among the environmental community. Reclaimed water also has economic benefits. Tampa Bay is experiencing ever-increasing potable water costs. Potable water prices are expected to outpace inflation for the next several years to fund capital improvements associated with the Tampa Bay water program. Reclaimed water is available during the winter season, and the PCRRF has the ability to procure it from two separate sources at competitive rates. During the summer months, the facility depends more on its storm water source. A lime softening pretreatment system processes the storm water prior to its use in the cooling towers. Reclaimed water for boiler makeup will require membrane treatment followed by ion exchange. Microfiltration is being evaluated to remove bacteria-size particles and prevent fouling of the reverse osmosis membranes. Potable water will be used as a backup in the event of availability or quality problems with the reclaimed water supply.


Author(s):  
Warren N. Smith

On May 7, 2007, the operating agreement for the Pinellas County mass-burn resource recovery facility will expire. This contract, originally negotiated in the late 1970’s is one of the first in the United States for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a municipally owned refuse-to-energy facility, and thus is one of the first to expire. In late 2003, Pinellas County began the process to reprocure an operator for its resource recovery facility under the terms of a new long-term agreement. This paper discusses planning processes and reprocurement activities to date, including hiring a reprocurement consulting engineer; formation of the project team (Project Working Group and Project Oversight Committee); development of the project schedule; and, identification of the reprocurement approach (informal meetings with vendors, Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals). The paper also addresses certain technical and contractual issues associated with contracting a 24-year old refuse-to-energy facility. Technical items considered are a modified approach to ash processing and metals recovery; whether or not to continue the WESPhix® ash treatment process; and the need for various capital improvements. Contractual matters include such items as ownership of spare parts; availability of operating documents and record drawings; transfer of proprietary licenses; and consideration of a transition agreement. Pinellas County’s reprocurement is being designed with the primary goal of developing a process that is fair, open and competitive; and one that provides a level playing field for all interested proposers. The paper draws comparisons between the reprocurement methods and processes considered, with conclusions about why the final reprocurement approach was selected.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Michael Murimi

Purpose: This conceptual paper aims at developing theoretical framework for determinants of green management practices in hotels.Methodology: In order to come up with this theoretical framework, the researcher assumes a process of two phases the first stage will involve an explicit examination green management practices literature and what determines such practices in hotels. The succeeding stage was enhancements of the framework. The theoretical structure relies on the past theoretical explanations and empirical analyses in the fields green management and social sciences. Slack’s resource theory and good management competitive theory informs this theoretical framework, the researchers clarify the justification for use of the two theories.Findings: The researcher highlights by what method this reviewed theoretical framework may well be utilized to organize green management practices and its determinants in hotels especially in Kenya. Lastly, the researcher advances propositions that give foundations for empirical study to be carried out in the future.Contribution to theory, practice and policy: Assimilating experiences from numerous disciplines, this paper emphasizes aggregated awareness regarding conceptualization of green management practices in hotels. This work inspires scholars and specialists to understand determinants of green management practices in hotels in Kenya. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Miriam Cohen ◽  
Martin-Olivier Dagenais

Canada has been at the forefront of the recognition of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights) in the international scene. As a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,1 Canada has, over the years, implemented in legislation and case-law some ESC rights such as the right to health, education and social welfare.While ESC rights were not explicitly identified in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,2 which forms part of the Canadian Constitution, ESC rights in different forms have received some protection in the Canadian legal order. An analysis of the Canadian record with respect to ESC rights demonstrates the immense gap between a glorified image of Canada as an international human rights proponent (the ‘utopia’) and the actual implementation of internationally recognized human rights in Canada (the ‘reality’). As Canada is bound to face major transformational changes to its economy and social fabric in the years to come, the Courts will have to adapt quickly and efficiently to ensure a smooth transition. This paper overviews the evolution of the case-law on ESC rights in Canada in light of its international obligations, and suggests, the relevant ESC rights jurisprudence signals a disconnect with Canada’s international obligation ‘requiring progressive implementation to the maximum of available resources by all appropriate means.’


Author(s):  
Thomas M. White

Due to serious deterioration of aluminum fins on two dry coolers only 6 years after initial installation, the potential to disrupt operation of the 3,000 tons per day (tpd) Pinellas County Resource Recovery Facility was a real concern. A new system upgrade was required to provide reliable cooling of the glycol liquid system. This system dissipates the heat rejection requirements of the process and instrument air compressors, particularly critical during Florida’s hot summer months. A second issue was the need to provide redundancy, which was not designed into the original installation. The selected system included two plate and frame coolers along with two pumps located next to the existing cooling tower (C.T.) basin. Water from the C.T. basin is pumped through one plate and frame cooler, reducing the temperature of the glycol liquid. The water then flows back to the C.T. basin. The construction work, completed in August 2003, provides in excess of 200% redundancy and has been in successful operation since that date.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Bénard ◽  
Maurice Levasseur ◽  
Michael Grant Scarratt ◽  
Marie-Amélie Blais ◽  
Alfonso Mucci ◽  
...  

Abstract. We investigated the combined effect of ocean acidification and warming on the dynamics of the phytoplankton fall bloom in the Lower St. Lawrence Estuary (LSLE), Canada. Twelve 2600 L mesocosms were set to initially cover a wide range of pHT (pH on the total proton scale) from 8.0 to 7.2 corresponding to a range of pCO2 from 440 to 2900 µatm, and two temperatures (in situ and +5 °C). The 13-day experiment captured the development and decline of a nanophytoplankton bloom dominated by the chain-forming diatom Skeletonema costatum. During the development phase of the bloom, increasing pCO2 influenced neither the magnitude nor the net growth rate of the nanophytoplankton bloom whereas increasing the temperature by 5 °C stimulated the chlorophyll a (Chl a) growth rate and particulate primary production (PP) by 50 % and 160 %, respectively. During the declining phase of the bloom, warming accelerated the loss of diatom cells and negatively affected PP. Due to the countervailing responses of the plankton community to warming during the two phases of the experiment, the time-integrated primary production was not significantly affected over the full duration of the study. The diatom bloom was paralleled by a gradual decrease in the abundance of photosynthetic picoeukaryotes and followed by a bloom of picocyanobacteria. Increasing pCO2 and warming did not influence the abundance of picoeukaryotes, but warming stimulated picocyanobacteria proliferation. Overall, our results suggest that warming, rather than acidification, is more likely to alter phytoplankton autumnal bloom development in the LSLE in the decades to come. Future studies examining a broader gradient of temperatures should be conducted over a larger seasonal window in order to better constrain the potential effect of warming on the development of blooms in the LSLE and its impact on the fate of primary production.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 436
Author(s):  
Bill Tinapple

On 1 January 2012, a new regulatory framework for the offshore oil and gas industry in Australian Commonwealth waters started. The changes were profound and brought about a single national regulator for safety, environmental management, and well integrity. It also meant that the seven former designated authorities were abolished in favour of a single National Titles Administrator. In the lead up to the reforms, ministers Martin Ferguson and Frederick Moore agreed that officials from their respective departments would implement cooperative working arrangements for the WA adjacent offshore area, to facilitate and ensure a smooth transition for the industry and help achieve the recommendations of the Productivity Commission's review. The authors of this extended abstract reflect on and share the experiences of the past 12 months. An update of the authors' respective agencies' progress beyond the transition phase is also discussed. This extended abstract also outlines projects of interest and how they will benefit the industry and continue to develop the foundations of the cooperative working arrangements between NOPTA and WA-DMP. During the changes and transition program, industry and regulators have strived to engage in the new regime, and the results have been positive. Now is the opportunity for us to come together, ask questions, share information, and examine what has worked and what is yet to come. Several aspects of the arrangements are now evident: the establishment of the National Core Store and Data Repository, the establishment of the National Electronic Approvals and Tracking System (NEATS), and the day-to-day interactions between NOPTA and WA-DMP. The WA-DMP speaker reviews Joint Authority operations for the WA adjacent area since the establishment of NOPTA and NOPSEMA. Bill Tinapple also reviews regulatory framework developments for WA; in particular, changes to provide for shale and tight gas and oil activity, as well as, public engagement to increase confidence in regulatory processes. Coordination of regulatory processes across jurisdictional boundaries are reviewed, including case studies for Gorgon, Wheatstone, and Macedon.


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