Corporate social responsibility (CSR) became popular during the 1980’s and has continued to remain a pillar of corporate structure. Gulf Coast Environmental Systems (GCES) serves as an integral part of many organizations with pollution control as a component of their CSR policy. In this article we will review how to develop a CSR, the advantages and disadvantages of publishing a CSR policy and how to effectively communicate your organizations CSR to improve community relations and public perceptions.
The Value of Carbon Dioxide
What is 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…]
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…]
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…]
Ethylene Oxide
What is Ethylene Oxide? 
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.
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…]
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