Gulf Coast Environmental Systems

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Biogas – Case Study

December 2020 – Biogas Case Study

Location: Medora, Indiana

Customer: Archaea Energy

Employees: 65

Industry: Renewable Energy

Project Type: Biogas

Equipment Type: Blower and Flare Skid Package

Executive Summary: Gulf Coast Environmental Systems was tasked with finding a solution that would assist with VOC abatement and biogas processing at a landfill in Medora, Indiana.

Customer Summary: This customer, Archaea Energy, is a long-standing partner to GCES, purchasing multiple solutions to support their landfill applications which processes the landfill biogas into clean Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). Founded by landfill owners and technology developers in the energy sector, they partner with other landfills to harness the power of their biogas. They source, build, and manage projects through the entire lifecycle of the project. GCES has been supporting Archaea in this goal since 2018 with several sites already operational and many more in development across the US. Archaea chose GCES to assist in the creation of these landfill gas to energy plants because of our extensive background in waste to energy projects with nearly 500 units currently in operation.

biogas industriesProject Summary: Potentially dangerous gases like methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfides, and ammonia are created by the decomposition and evaporation of organic compounds as well as chemical reactions between waste components. These gases and other hydrocarbons are often considered greenhouse gases and play a huge role in global warming. According to the EPA, in the United States landfills are the third most prevalent source of methane and other greenhouse gases. When condensed into a small space, methane is considered an explosive gas and should be handled with extreme caution. While a minimal amount of oxygen is present in this particular stream of waste gas which eliminates risk of the process concentration becoming combustible, it is important to note that the methane is still highly flammable. However, poorly designed or maintained landfills run the risk of higher levels of oxygen entrainment leading to elevated danger and uncontrolled greenhouse gas emissions. [Read more…]

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The Value of Carbon Dioxide

What is Carbon Dioxide?carbon dioxide

Carbon Dioxide is one of the most commonly found gases on earth. Its chemical formula is CO2, meaning it is comprised of one carbon atom covalently double bounded two oxygen atoms. CO2  is incombustible, colorless, and in the typical exposure concentrations, odorless gas, that is also water soluble. Carbon dioxide is the result of oxidization of carbon.

Where is Carbon Dioxide Found?

Carbon dioxide comes from both natural and anthropogenic sources, and is necessary for all living things.

Natural: Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring compound, that is released when living organisms respire or decompose. Carbon dioxide is also naturally released into the atmosphere by the oceans, volcanos, forest fires, and carbonate rocks. Natural sources, like these, produce more carbon dioxide than anthropogenic sources.

Anthropogenic: The sources of CO2 that get the most attention are anthropogenic, meaning human-initiated or created. These sources are a part of everyday life for most people, and are unavoidable in most cases. These human activities include transportation, power and heat generation, chemical and petrochemical production and use, fossil fuel use, manufacturing, agriculture, food production, etc… The carbon dioxide produced by the harvesting and use of fossil fuels gets the most attention as a contributor to climate change. Recently, the oil and gas industries have started taking significant steps to curb their CO2 emissions. [Read more…]

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An Introduction to Odor Control

Pollution control equipment can generally fall between two categories: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) Control, or Odor Control. But what is the difference between these two classifications?

VOC: The Environmental Protection Agency classifies Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to mean “any compound of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions.”

Odor: The EPA refers to this category as “nuisance odors.” A nuisance odor is any strong smell coming from a facility, that could potentially disrupt the community. These odors are generally the result of cooking or processing of organic compounds.

Although the chemical makeup of some odors are regulated by the EPA, these nuisance odors are not generally regulated at a federal level; however, many state and local agencies have established nuisance odor guidelines and limitations. Failure to plan for appropriate odor control often leads to complaints, unplanned shutdowns, as well as sometimes pricey equipment upgrades and retrofits.  [Read more…]

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Case Study – Fishmeal Processing

Case Study – Odor Control in Fishmeal Processing

Location: Pacific Northwest – United States

Employees: 35

Industry: Fishmeal Processing

Project Type: Odor Control         

Equipment Type: Pre-owned Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer

Executive Summary: Gulf Coast Environmental Systems was tasked with finding an odor control solution for a fishmeal processing facility in the Northwestern United States.

Customer Summary: This customer is a fishmeal processing plant in the Northwestern United States. This facility processes fish waste that would otherwise be thrown out, and turns it into fish meal, fish oil, fish soluble, and fish bone products. This customer prides themselves on their environmental initiatives and goals, and makes it a point to focus on supporting their local community and industry. This includes seeking out the best technologies available for odor control, and industrial sustainability. Gulf Coast Environmental Systems is proud to have had the opportunity to partner with an organization that has such a strong commitment to protecting natural resources. [Read more…]

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Ethylene Oxide

What is Ethylene Oxide? Ethylene Oxide Compound

Ethylene Oxide is a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) with the chemical formula of C2H4O. Ethylene Oxide is colorless gas that has a slightly sweet odor; this odor is particularly noticeable when concentration in the air meets or exceeds 500ppm. This gas is highly flammable and carries a plethora of health risks.  Ethylene oxide is water soluble and is highly reactive with many acidic and alkaline compounds. Because of this, Ethylene Oxide is commonly used in the creation of dozens of industrial and sterilization chemicals.

ethylene oxide warnings

 

 

Where is Ethylene Oxide Found?

Though first identified in 1859 by a chemist in Germany, Ethylene Oxide made its commercial debut in 1914 when BASF opened a facility that used what is now considered an inefficient process to create the compound known as the chlorohydrin process. The process has since evolved to become safer, and more efficient making Ethylene Oxide the most commonly used industrial chemical on the planet. [Read more…]

Company Profile

Gulf Coast Environmental Systems (GCES) is your custom solutions provider for pollution control systems, industrial ovens, systems engineering and field support worldwide. Our unique approach is to analyze your process stream and business objectives and propose an ideal solution or range of options to help you optimize these objectives. GCES is a one-stop shop: we provide engineering services, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and ongoing support. With our broad base of expertise and large installed global base, we are well-positioned to solve your pollution control issues.

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