As can be seen BHPbilliton claim: "when you notice 'smoke' billowing from the refinery, rest assured that it is most likely steam you can see"The claims in the advertisement are not wrong, just misleading to those in the community who don't know any better.
Of course there was no mention of any pollutants, it seems it was all about getting the community to think... harmless water.
The emissions from the vents in question include but are not limited to Heavy Metals such as Nickel, Cobalt, maybe Cadmium. Also Hydrogen, Ammonium Sulphate and Ammonia, Probably the most concerning of the pollutants emitted is fine particulates of Metals.
The main reason you can see so much steam is because the online vent tanks are injected (snuffed) with steam to avoid Hydrogen explosions.
These are our photo's of the tank vents in question:
The main reason you can see so much steam is because the online vent tanks are injected (snuffed) with steam to avoid Hydrogen explosions.
These are our photo's of the tank vents in question:
and closer: 
By the pics it certainly looks like this vent take has overflowed at some time, problem with that is the a high liquid level like that usually lift the demister pad (a bit like steel wool) inside the top of tank, these dont always reseat themselves, probably allowing more particlute pollution to escape.Does it look like harmless water vapour to you? Now you have both sides of the story, make your own mind up, just steam or pollutants and steam?
You can find a list of estimated emissions from BHPBillitons Kwinana Nickel Refinery at the Federal Governments National Pollution Inventory (NPI) website.
1 comment:
Evaporating water, to reduce levels, expensive!!.
So why are the evaporation cells out on Millar road needed ??.
Perhaps they are not so critical to the future of the refinery, as is stated in demanding a larger buffer zone between them and the new Mundijong road extension. The new road alignment was planned and common knowledge long before the evaporation cells were installed.
Perhaps a bigger buffer is required to dilute the fumes and Legionella bacteria that come from the evaporation cells!!.
Legionella outbreaks occur from time at both of the cooling towers mentioned. Requiring heavy dosing of the cooling water with toxic chemicals!!.
And lastly but not the least, what happens to the water soluble nickel salts on the outside of the flashtanks?.
The Tyke.
P.S
I am so lucky to live in Kwinana with all its health benefits, or at least I am told so by involved parties.
Post a Comment