Gulf Coast Environmental Systems

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Natural Disasters & Plant Operations

Recovering from a natural disaster can be a daunting task. Yet a well-planned, quick-implemented action plan to prevent further damage, repair equipment, infrastructure and other facilities is key to resuming normal operations in a timely manner. GCES is here to help, and offers the following guide to help you recover from these disasters. Critical steps include:

1. Contact and prepare personnel: Contact key personnel and ensure they are safe and able to return to work. Prepare relief and standby crews, maintenance and cleanup crews and regular shift crews to return to work. Make sure they are trained to look for sources of danger and hazards such as downed power lines, fuel leaks, chemical spills and displaced animals such as snakes, alligators and others.

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NOx Abatement

Part 3 of Abating Hazardous Air Pollutants: NOx

What is NOx? The term NOx refers to the family of air polluting chemical compounds, Nitrogen Oxides. NOx represents seven different compounds although only one, Nitrogen Dioxide, is regulated by the EPA. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is carefully monitored by the EPA as not only an air pollutant but also for its reaction with the ozone and the creation of acid rain. NO2 is reddish-brown gas with a bitter odor similar to that of Chlorine. NO2 is also commonly referred to as Nitrogen Oxide and Deutoxide of Nitrogen and is highly reactive. NOx

NO2 is an intermediate in the manufacturing nitric acid. Nitric acid is a nitrating agent in the manufacturing of chemical explosives, as a flour bleaching agent, as an inhibitor for acrylates and an oxidizer in rocket fuel. It was used in the Titan rockets which launched Project Gemini, in numerous unmanned space probes and remains in use for space travel in the maneuvering thrusters of the Space Shuttle. [Read more…]

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Chlorine Abatement

Part 2 of Abating Hazardous Air Pollutants: Chlorine Abatement

What is Chlorine? Chlorine is the second most abundant halogen and the 21st most abundant chemical found in the Earth’s crust in the form of ionic chloride. A yellow-green gas, Chlorine is in the halogen group and is one of the VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) that GCES has spent nearly two dozen years abating.

When someone hears the word Chlorine there are many immediate associations that come to mind. For children Chlorine AbatementChlorine is memories of summer, long days in the pool and red, burning eyes. Moms hear the word Chlorine and immediately think of stains and laundry. In our industry Chlorine means CI and we think of thermal oxidization and highly acid gas. Chlorine is used in commercial bleaches, disinfectants and as a reagent for many processes in the chemical industry as a result of the high oxidizing potential of elemental chlorine. Also used to manufacture a wide range of consumer products including polyvinyl chloride and many intermediates for the production of plastics, chlorines usage fall into three main categories:

  1. Production of industrial and consumer products
  2. Sanitation and disinfection
  3. As a weapon on the form of chlorine gas aka bertholite

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Top 10 Tips for Improving the Life of Pollution Control Equipment

To optimize your uptime and increase the life of your pollution control equipment, regular inspections and evaluations are a must. These evaluations should be done yearly for equipment less than five years old and twice per year for older systems.

Regular Maintenance is Critical for Improving Equipment Life
Regular Maintenance is Critical for Improving Equipment Life

A complete preventative maintenance evaluation should be completed by a qualified service team but in between evaluations there are some simple things that can help improve the life of equipment. [Read more…]

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Heat Recovery in Oxidizers: Part 2 of Managing Energy Consumption

Secondary Oxidizer Heat Recovery and Reducing Energy Consumption

The oxidizer design and process operating conditions will determine how much excess heat is available for secondary heat recovery.  Heat recovery in oxidizers can be accomplished in two different ways:  Extracting heat from the stack or extracting heat directly from the combustion chamber. Dryer exhaust air temperature, solvent concentration and heat exchanger efficiency determine the oxidizer stack air temperature.  As oxidizer efficiency is increased, the stack temperature will decrease.  Destruction efficiency requirements determine the combustion chamber temperature. When concentrations rise above the minimum energy required for self-sustaining operation, excess heat is generated in the combustion chamber.  This excess heat presents a great opportunity for heat recovery.  Whereas the oxidizer stack temperature will be 100 to 400oF (55 to 222oC) above the inlet temperature, air from the combustion chamber will be at 1,400 to 1,600oF. Depending on the need, various forms of heat recovery options are available. [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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