scholarly journals Uncertainties in assessing the environmental impact of amine emissions from a CO<sub>2</sub> capture plant

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 8633-8693 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Karl ◽  
N. Castell ◽  
D. Simpson ◽  
S. Solberg ◽  
J. Starrfelt ◽  
...  

Abstract. In this study, a new model framework that couples the atmospheric chemistry transport model system WRF-EMEP and the multimedia fugacity level III model was used to assess the environmental impact of amine emissions to air from post-combustion carbon dioxide capture. The modelling framework was applied to a typical carbon capture plant artificially placed at Mongstad, west coast of Norway. WRF-EMEP enables a detailed treatment of amine chemistry in addition to atmospheric transport and deposition. Deposition fluxes of WRF-EMEP simulations were used as input to the fugacity model in order to derive concentrations of nitramines and nitrosamine in lake water. Predicted concentrations of nitramines and nitrosamines in ground-level air and drinking water were found to be highly sensitive to the description of amine chemistry, especially of the night time chemistry with the nitrate (NO3) radical. Sensitivity analysis of the fugacity model indicates that catchment characteristics and chemical degradation rates in soil and water are among the important factors controlling the fate of these compounds in lake water. The study shows that realistic emission of commonly used amines result in levels of the sum of nitrosamines and nitramines in ground-level air (0.6–10 pg m−3) and drinking water (0.04–0.25 ng L−1) below the current safety guideline for human health enforced by the Norwegian Environmental Directorate. The modelling framework developed in this study can be used to evaluate possible environmental impacts of emissions of amines from post-combustion capture in other regions of the world.

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 8533-8557 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Karl ◽  
N. Castell ◽  
D. Simpson ◽  
S. Solberg ◽  
J. Starrfelt ◽  
...  

Abstract. In this study, a new model framework that couples the atmospheric chemistry transport model system Weather Research and Forecasting–European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (WRF-EMEP) and the multimedia fugacity level III model was used to assess the environmental impact of in-air amine emissions from post-combustion carbon dioxide capture. The modelling framework was applied to a typical carbon capture plant artificially placed at Mongstad, on the west coast of Norway. The study region is characterized by high precipitation amounts, relatively few sunshine hours, predominantly westerly winds from the North Atlantic and complex topography. Mongstad can be considered as moderately polluted due to refinery activities. WRF-EMEP enables a detailed treatment of amine chemistry in addition to atmospheric transport and deposition. Deposition fluxes of WRF-EMEP simulations were used as input to the fugacity model in order to derive concentrations of nitramines and nitrosamine in lake water. Predicted concentrations of nitramines and nitrosamines in ground-level air and drinking water were found to be highly sensitive to the description of amine chemistry, especially of the night-time chemistry with the nitrate (NO3) radical. Sensitivity analysis of the fugacity model indicates that catchment characteristics and chemical degradation rates in soil and water are among the important factors controlling the fate of these compounds in lake water. The study shows that realistic emission of commonly used amines result in levels of the sum of nitrosamines and nitramines in ground-level air (0.6–10 pg m−3) and drinking water (0.04–0.25 ng L−1) below the current safety guideline for human health that is enforced by the Norwegian Environment Agency. The modelling framework developed in this study can be used to evaluate possible environmental impacts of emissions of amines from post-combustion capture in other regions of the world.


1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 598-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Shleien ◽  
Joseph A. Cochran ◽  
Paul J. Magno

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7386
Author(s):  
Thomas Schaubroeck ◽  
Simon Schaubroeck ◽  
Reinout Heijungs ◽  
Alessandra Zamagni ◽  
Miguel Brandão ◽  
...  

To assess the potential environmental impact of human/industrial systems, life cycle assessment (LCA) is a very common method. There are two prominent types of LCA, namely attributional (ALCA) and consequential (CLCA). A lot of literature covers these approaches, but a general consensus on what they represent and an overview of all their differences seems lacking, nor has every prominent feature been fully explored. The two main objectives of this article are: (1) to argue for and select definitions for each concept and (2) specify all conceptual characteristics (including translation into modelling restrictions), re-evaluating and going beyond findings in the state of the art. For the first objective, mainly because the validity of interpretation of a term is also a matter of consensus, we argue the selection of definitions present in the 2011 UNEP-SETAC report. ALCA attributes a share of the potential environmental impact of the world to a product life cycle, while CLCA assesses the environmental consequences of a decision (e.g., increase of product demand). Regarding the second objective, the product system in ALCA constitutes all processes that are linked by physical, energy flows or services. Because of the requirement of additivity for ALCA, a double-counting check needs to be executed, modelling is restricted (e.g., guaranteed through linearity) and partitioning of multifunctional processes is systematically needed (for evaluation per single product). The latter matters also hold in a similar manner for the impact assessment, which is commonly overlooked. CLCA, is completely consequential and there is no limitation regarding what a modelling framework should entail, with the coverage of co-products through substitution being just one approach and not the only one (e.g., additional consumption is possible). Both ALCA and CLCA can be considered over any time span (past, present & future) and either using a reference environment or different scenarios. Furthermore, both ALCA and CLCA could be specific for average or marginal (small) products or decisions, and further datasets. These findings also hold for life cycle sustainability assessment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 02046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Gasser ◽  
Andrew Simon ◽  
Paolo Perona ◽  
Luuk Dorren ◽  
Johannes Hübl ◽  
...  

Large woody debris (LWD) exacerbates flood damages near civil structures and in urbanized areas and the awareness of LWD as a risk is becoming more and more relevant. The recruitment of “fresh” large woody debris has been documented to play a significant role of the total amount of wood transported during flood events in mountain catchments. Predominately, LWD recruitment due to hydraulic and geotechnical bank erosion and shallow landslides contribute to high volumes of wood during floods. Quantifying the effects of vegetation on channel and slope processes is extremely complex. This manuscript therefore presents the concepts that are being implemented in a new modelling framework that aims to improve the quantification of vegetation effects on LWD recruitment processes. One of the focuses of the model framework is the implementation of the effect of spatio-temporal distribution of root reinforcement in recruitment processes such as bank erosion and shallow landslides in mountain catchments. Further, spatio-temporal precipitation patterns will be considered using a probabilistic approach to account for the spatio-temporal precipitation variability to estimate a LWD recruitment correction coefficient. Preliminary results are herein presented and discussed in form of a case study in the Swiss Prealps.


Nature ◽  
1961 ◽  
Vol 191 (4787) ◽  
pp. 454-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. GUSTAFSON ◽  
M. A. KERRIGAN ◽  
S. S. BRAR

Open Physics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rimvydas Jasiulionis ◽  
Andrej Rožkov

AbstractResults of radionuclide activity concentration measurements in deposition and ground-level air conducted at the station of the Institute of Physics situated 3.5 km from the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Ignalina NPP) in 2005 are analyzed. Atmospheric depositional fluxes of 7Be, 60Co and 137Cs are estimated. Radionuclide particle deposition rates are calculated. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model of the global dispersion and deposition is used to explain variations in the 137Cs activity concentration in the ground-level air in the Ignalina NPP region in 2005. An increase in the 137Cs activity concentration of up to 17.4 µBq m−3 on 30 October-5 November is studied. Modelling results show that the Chernobyl NPP Unit 4 Sarcophagus and the radiocaesium resuspension from the Chernobyl NPP accident polluted regions are sources of 137Cs to the environment of the Ignalina NPP. Results on solubility in water of aerosols — carriers of 137Cs — are discussed.


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