Gulf Coast Environmental Systems

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Landfill RNG Case Study

CASE STUDY
THERMAL OXIDIZER
LANDFILL – BIOGAS | NOVEMBER 2018

Industry: Landfill/Waste Management
Project Type: Biogas
Project Goal: Building a biogas facility to develop pipeline quality natural gas
Equipment Type: Carbon Adsorber and Thermal Oxidizer

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Gulf Coast Environmental Systems was tasked with finding a pollution control solution that could handle two combined PSA reject gas vent streams.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
In this case, Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) systems are cleaning biogas from a landfill. 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. Another risk when dealing with methane is the flammability of the gas which is incredibly high. When condensed into a small space, methane is considered an explosive, and should be handled with extreme caution. The fact that a minimal amount of oxygen is present in this particular stream of waste gas eliminates risk of the process concentration becoming combustible that could lead to flashback. 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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What’s The Deal With Steel?

While the long-term impact of the recent steel tariffs is unknown, we here at GCES recognize that there will be an impact on nearly every company we do business with. With so much confusion, and bias, around this hot topic, we created the below article to help break it down a little.

What is steel?

Steel

Carbon steel, which accounts for 90% of all steel production, is an alloy that occurs when iron is combined with carbon. It also contains small quantities of silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and oxygen. The iron that makes steel is the 4th most abundant element, making up about 5% of the earth’s crust. It is removed from crust in the form of an ore; the iron is then extracted from the ore by a process known as smelting. Smelting, simply put, happens when you apply heat to an ore, to extract the base metal. Once the smelted iron is combined with carbon, steel is formed. Although steel is made of predominantly iron, it contains 0.03% and 1,075% (depending on grade) carbon, which alone, iron does not. This addition of carbon improves the physical chemical properties of the iron, making it a desirable metal. On top of the physical properties that make steel so versatile, and desirable, it is also considered to be infinitely recyclable. This means it can be melted down, and reused, as many times as needed, without limit.

Because of its high strength, and relatively low cost, steel is one of the most sought after building materials in the world. Used to make everything from weapons, infrastructure, and buildings, to home appliances and automobiles, the steel industry is expected to reach $1.01 trillion in revenue by 2025. [Read more…]

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Methyl Mercaptan

What is Methyl Mercaptan?

methyl mercaptan

Methyl Mercaptan, also known as Methanethiol, is a volatile organic compound known as an organosulfur, because it contains sulfur. Methyl mercaptan is a member of a series of compounds, in which there can be chains of up to 20 carbon-atoms attached to sulfur. The chemical formula for methanethiol is CH3SH; it is classified as a thiol.  It is colorless, highly flammable, and has a strong rotten-cabbage-like odor. It is a colorless, low-boiling liquid, that is denser than water. When inhaled, Methyl Mercaptan is very toxic, and the dangerous gas is often overlooked when in low concentrations. It can undergo steam reforming to hydrogen-rich gas over cerium oxide-coated rhodium or aluminum oxide catalyst via the solid-gas reaction, under certain operating conditions. This process has potential use in toxic-waste treatment, such as removal of methanethiol present in industrial-waste off-gas. Because it is derived from decaying organic matter, Methyl Mercaptan is a weak acid, and is reactive with dissolved metals, in aqueous solutions. [Read more…]

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Is There Money Hiding in Your Landfill?

What gases are released by landfills?

Landfills consist of a complex mix of gases and VOCs, and are a source of major pollution, and potential revenue… which we will address later in this article. Dangerous gases like methane (CH4),  carbon dioxide(CO2), sulfides (SOx), and ammonia, are created by the decomposition and evaporation of organic compounds, as well as chemical reactions between waste components. Methane and carbon dioxide are the most prevalent, making up between 90 and 98% of all gases and VOCs released. Methane from Landfills

Why are these chemicals a concern?

These gases and VOCs are 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. Another risk when dealing with methane is the flammability of the gas, which is incredibly high. When condensed into a small space, methane is considered an explosive, and should be handled with extreme caution. Landfill gas explosions are not uncommon.

In addition to pollution and the risk of exploding, these VOCs pose a serious risk to human health. They have been linked to eye, throat and lung irritation, nausea, headache, nasal blockage, sleeping difficulties, weight loss, chest pain, and even asthma. Some recent studies indicate a connection between air pollution, and Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and slow fetal development. [Read more…]

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Pollution Control Engineering

National Professional Engineers Week: February 18th through February 24th

Gulf Coast Environmental Systems is proud of the superior team of engineers and pollution control experts that we employ. Not only are they the who’s who of industry experts but they are truly wonderful people who are engaged in their communities, families and of course their careers. With this being National Professional Engineers week there is no better opportunity to introduce a few of our team members.

The Expert: Chad Clark, GCES Technical Director Chad Clark, Pollution Control Engineer

Education: Vanderbilt University, Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Mechanical Engineering (ME)

What is your favorite GCES product or service? Our Engineering Services because we are able to make the most positive impact with customers by improving people’s lives both at work and at home.  The equipment we design and supply brings it all together making the work we do within our engineering team and services come to fruition.

What is the best part of working at GCES? Being able to bring an idea from paper to operation.

As our Technical Director, Chad Clark, has developed many of our internationally recognized BACT (Best Available Control Technology) air pollution control systems including the breakthrough patent pending Aqueous Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO). Mr. Clark is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has spent most of his career in environmental protection engineering. Mr. Clark is a sought after speaker and thermal oxidizer expert who is regularly sought out for this knowledge on air pollution control technologies and remediation best practices. Having recently developed a line of Thermal Oxidizers that can be operated through heat recovery, natural gas or electric, Mr. Clark has once again lead the field in technological development and best practices.

When Mr. Clark is not immersed in work and on the road visiting customers,  he enjoys continuing his worldwide travel with his wife of 15 years and 3 beautiful children.  He finds it exciting to view different cultures and experiences through a child’s eyes.  Mr. Clark believes there can never be too much time on a golf course.

[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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