2004 Annual Report: New Technologies

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• Conversion Technologies
• Bioreactor Landfills

Conversion Technologies

Chapter 740, Statutes of 2002 (AB 2770, Matthews) was enacted to advance the understanding of conversion technologies by requiring the Board to submit a report to the Legislature on new and emerging conversion technologies. These technologies include, but are not limited to, thermal processes such as gasification, chemical processes such as acid hydrolysis, and biological processes, other than composting, such as enzyme hydrolysis.

The Board’s Strategic Plan (Goals 2, 4, and 7) includes the development of such alternative technologies. Work to date in this area is posted on the Board's conversion technologies website. Chapter 740 allocated $1.5 million from the Integrated Waste Management Account for a study on the life cycle and environmental implications of conversion technologies.

As part of this endeavor, the Board entered into an agreement with the University of California, Riverside, in cooperation with the University of California, Davis, to evaluate conversion technologies. Based on information evaluated by the University researchers, thermochemical and biochemical conversion technologies represent technically viable options for the conversion of post-recycled municipal solid waste (MSW).

Thermochemical and biochemical technologies have unique characteristics with different applications in reducing landfill volume. Conversion technologies can potentially convert materials that are currently landfilled into electricity, chemical, or other products. These include synthetic diesel and gasoline transportation fuels or precursors of petrochemical feedstocks such as ethylene, hydrogen, substitute natural gas, and others. Existing data and facilities in locations around the world indicate that conversion technologies can operate within constraints established by regulatory requirements. Considerable technological progress in emissions controls has taken place during the past decade that can be directly applied to conversion technologies. Conversion technologies with the most advanced environmental controls would probably be able to meet regulatory requirements in California.

The Board has also entered into an agreement with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to compare the environmental and health impacts of new and emerging conversion technologies with existing solid waste management practices. In addition, RTI will determine the impact conversion technologies may have on existing and future recycling and compost markets. The market impact analysis quantified the development and growth of conversion technologies in California.

The results of the analysis indicates that, when compared to landfilling, conversion technologies can result in large energy savings. Conversion technologies showed the lowest production of oxides of nitrogen and had lower carbon emissions. They would decrease the amount of material landfilled. In addition, the market impact analysis indicated that conversion technologies would have a net positive impact on glass, metal, and plastic recycling due to the need for feedstock pre-processing requirements prior to conversion.

The results from the two contractor studies were peer reviewed and will be used as the main source documents for the Board’s Conversion Technology Report to the Legislature that will be completed in 2005.

In addition to completing the requirements of Chapter 740, Board staff has prepared draft regulations for the permitting of conversion technologies. Staff held a public workshop to discuss the proposed draft regulations and has given the interested parties opportunity to provide informal comments on the draft regulations. In November 2003, staff presented an agenda item to the Permitting and Enforcement Committee and the full Board requesting approval to initiate the formal 45-day comment period.

The Board gave approval, and the formal 45-day comment period is expected to begin in March 2005. A public hearing was held on December 6, 2004, to allow oral and written comments to be submitted as part of the formal 45-day public comment period.

Bioreactor Landfills

Currently, Federal Subtitle D regulations governing landfill design and operation essentially codify what is known as the “dry tomb” approach to solid waste disposal. While the regulations require specific liner and cover designs, along with leachate and gas collection systems, they do not allow additional liquids to be added into the solid waste material. These requirements and prohibitions result in drier, “tomb-like” conditions that inhibit decomposition of the waste material. Considerable work has been conducted on an alternative known as “bioreactor” landfills. This technique involves liquid or air injected in a controlled fashion into the waste mass in order to accelerate or enhance biostabilization of the waste. For example, Yolo County is implementing a full-scale demonstration project for state-of-the-art bioreactor landfill technology, and the Board and the county held a public field trip and workshop at the landfill in October 2003.

In April 2004, the U.S. EPA issued its anticipated new Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) rule. This rule will affect Subtitle D landfills by allowing more flexibility for certain types of projects, including bioreactors that speed up decomposition of landfilled materials. In response, the Board and the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) are in the process of incorporating RD&D flexibility in California’s Subtitle D Program.

The Board issued proposed regulations (27 CCR sections 20070, 21569, 21805, and 21835) pursuant to Office of Administrative Law requirements for a formal comment period that closed November 30, 2004. A public hearing for the proposed regulations was conducted December 6, 2004. The Board will consider changes during an additional comment period in April 2005. The Water Board is in the process of updating its Policy 93-62 to incorporate RD&D in its part of the Subtitle D Program, in coordination with the Board’s regulation process.

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