environmental currents Paper makers evaluate portable reverse osmosis unit
I n operation since last November, a mobile, field scale reverse osmosis demonstration unit has been processing the dilute pulp and paper waste waters at Consolidated Papers, Inc. (Appleton, Wis.). Referred to as the industrial kidney process and developed by the Pulp Manufacturers Research League, Inc. (Appleton, Wis.), the unit processed 60,000 gallons of cooling water containing some washings from freshly cooked pulp each day. NOW the unit is being moved to a second site (Green Bay, Wis.) for use at another of the league’s mills. This unit concentrates the dilute washing waste waters to a point where evaporation can be done economically. At Consolidated, the unit has provided as much as several hundred tons of clean reusable water from the dilute wastes each day and has recovered as much as 2Y2 tons of additional dissolved solids each day. Cost data have not been generated yet, nor has stability data been obtained for the membrane support modules which operate at pressures greater than 600 pounds per square inch. Cost for last year’s research on the portable unit totalled $690,530, 7 0 % from federal funds and 30% from league funds. Vessels must have devices for sewage treatment
The State of New York plans to enforce its law prohibiting vessel discharge of sewage to its navigable waters. In effect, New York’s law requires its vessels to install holding tanks. But shoreside facilities are not equipped to receive these holdings. “No state should, in effect require the use of holding tanks, unless they can be, in fact, used,” says Alexander B. Hawes, counsel for the American Waterways Operators, Inc. ( A W O ) , the national trade association representing the domestic water carrier industry. AWO favors control of sewage discharges from vessels if effective federal preemption of the regulation of sewage from vessels can be effected. “If ever there were a need for standardization, it is in this field.” says Hawes. “Continuation of state regulations (ES&T, February 1968, page 9 3 ) can only lead to confusion and the strangulation of this branch of interstate commerce.” Thomas R . Glenn, J r . , director of the Interstate Sanitation Commission, noted before Sen. Muskie’s subcommittee that many states now have started adopting boat regulations which would not permit the macerator-chlorinator type device. This device does not meet state, interstate, o r federal water quality standards and should not be reconsidered for use as an acceptable device on boats, according to Glenn. Federal installations set example for pollution abatement
During fiscal year 1968, 442 air pollution abatement actions were taken at 387 federal installations in 45 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, according to a recent report entitled, “Air Pollution Abatement by Federal Facilities,” a n d authorized by the Air Quality Act of 1967 (ES&T, November 1967, page 8 8 4 ) . The two major categories of action are: 0 Elimination of open burning o r poor incineration-126. 0 Use of low sulfur content coal o r fuel oil-103. Additionally, the report lists other actions to be taken at federal installations during fiscal year 1970 such as the two noted actions, conversion to natural gas from oil. installation of new incinerators, and reduction of stack emissions. Volume 3, Number 3, March 1969 203
There something new under the sun in automated SO, analysis. The new compact portable SO2Monitor from Technicon"
Now,Technicon offers a completely automatic, wet-chemical system for monitoring ambient SO1 using the officially accepted West-Gaeke procedure. The system will operate without human attention for great lengths of time, and features low reagent consumwtiontechniaues and a new aas absorption system. ' For additional information write Dept. 59, Technicon Corporation. .M Tarrytown, New York10591.
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environmental currents Environmental Quality Preservation Act introduced again
“So that the U.S. can meet the environmental crisis,” Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D.-Wis.) introduced S. 1085 which specifies three requirements for maintenance and improvement of the environment. S. 1085 calls first for the establishment of a Council on Environmental Quality. The council would oversee the environmental programs of all federal, state, and local governments to assure protection to the environment. Within five years, the council would develop national policies and programs for environmental improvement and maintenance. Second, the Department of the Interior would conduct studies of natural environmental systems. document changes to the systems, and set up a clearinghouse for information on ecological problems. Third, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare would develop a waste management research program and compile a national inventory of needs, problems, and technology for waste management. The proposal failed to pass in the 90th Congress (ES&T, March 1968, page 165). Ocean solid waste disposal survey set
Oceanic disposal of industrial sludges and solid wastes from U.S. coastal cities is being studied by Dillingham Corp. (Honolulu, Hawaii). Under the Environmental Control Administration’s solid waste program. Dillingham will survey 16 selected U.S. coastal cities to assess the past, present, and future activities of solid waste disposal to marine environments, according to its vice president, Robert 0. Briggs. A Dillingham scientist already has noted that most normally buoyant solid waste probably will remain submerged. Plastics are a n exception, however. and would require additional steps before such disposal. Ford Foundation finances environmental education
Continuing its environmental involvement, Ford Foundation recently awarded eight environmental education grants including: Wave Hill Center for Environmental Studies (N. Y.)-$150,000 grant-for an experimental school program which will seek to stimulate the intellectual curiosity and growth of the disadvantaged student by encouraging him to investigate his urban physical environment. University of California (Santa Barbara)-$278,500 grant-for expansion of its graduate program in population biology with emphasis on the oceans as a world food source. San Diego State College (Calif.)-$182.000 grant-for strengthening undergraduate training in environmental biology and support student research on the environment. University of Michigan-$37,775 grant-for a study of the role of the courts in reviewing administrative decisions affecting the environment. Under Joseph L. Sax, professor of law, the study will concentrate on administrative decisions dealing with pollution abatement and use of pesticides. California Institute of Technology (Pasadena)-$I8,500 grant-for a student-organized and -conducted research program on air pollution control. W G B H Educational Foundation-$64,67 1 grant-for a series of television programs on urban environmental education for grades four through six. Public School System of Portland (Ore.)-$16,015 grant-for design of an elementary science program in environmental studies from kindergarten through eighth grade. Massachusetts Audubon Society-$15,000 grantfor introduction of environmental education to inner-city Boston schools. Volume 3, Number 3, March 1969 205
Nomexisn't made for every filtering system. But it can be perfect for yours. 1)
If your dust-collection system isn't working as well a's i t should, filter bagsof NOMEX nylon may be your answer. And along with increased performance, NOMEXcan also mean lowercosts. NOMEX is designed to oDerate continuously at temperatures up-to 450°F. Higher temperatures mean greater capacity. Conversion of filter bags of NOMEX could eliminate the need for costly expansion. Filter bags of NOMEX are extremely durable. They are easily cleaned by any method, including high-energy processes. They are the only high-temperature bags for pulse-jet collectors. I n short, filter bags ofNOMEXhave many features that might be perfect for your operatiomwe will be glad to tell you ifNOMEX can make your operation more effective. For f u r t h e r information, write: Du Pont Company, NOMEX Marketing, Wilmington. Delaware 19898.
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*DuPont registered trademark, Du Pont makes NOMEX, not filter bags.
Better things for better living ,. .through chemistry Circle
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on Readers' Service Card
environmental currents
Steam buses get green light in California
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In 1970, San Francisco's bus riders will be riding steam buses. Four steam buses-powered by external combustion engines (ES&T, July 1968, page 491 ) -will be operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railroad and the A C Transit Company (Oakland, Calif. ) under a demonstration project sponsored by the Department of Transportation ( D O T ) and the Assembly Transportation Committee of the California Legislature. "It [the project] represents a significant first step toward reducing air pollution from public transportation," says DOT'S Secretary, John A. Volpe. The total cost of the three-year project is estimated at $ 6 10.000; the federal 5hare is $450.000, California's share is $160,000, ,
. . b u t Freon buses will run in Texas
With a second recent D O T grant of $309.789. the Dallas Transit System plans to use buses powered with external combustion engines using Freon In addition to less air pollution, San Francisco's steam and Dallas' Freon buses are extremely quiet so that their use will cut down on the U. S. noise burden. Council of ecological advisers sought by senators
Some U.S. senators. concerned with the quality of the environment and hoping to d o something to improve it, tend to agree that a council of ecological advisers is necessary now more than ever. Their legislative proposals-Sen. Nelson's (D.-Wis.) S. 1085. Sen. Muskie's (D.-Me.) Sen. Res. 78. Sen. Jackson's (D.-Wash.) S. 1075. and Sen. Kennedy's (D.-Mass.) S. I07 1 -all attest to such interest. In addition. the proposals include action on other environmental concerns such as thermal pollution and the like. For example, the Electric Power Reliability Act of 1969, S. 107 I . places strong emphasis on environmental protection by the electric power industry. Under S. 107 1. the council would pass on all licensing and other actions of the Federal Power Commission ( F P C ) from the point of view of impact on the environment. The council would have an initial veto power. subject to later reversal by the F P C over proposals, which might have a n adverse environmental impact, such as the construction of large nuclear-electric generating plants. USDA comments on pesticide buildup in soils
Pesticide residues are not building up progressively in the soil. according
to Paul F . Sand of the Agricultural Research Service ( A R S ) , based on analyses of thousands of soil samples throughout the U.S. during the past four years. In his recent presentation at the annual meeting (Las Vegas, Nev. ) of the Weed Society of America, Sand noted, however, that the breakdown and disappearance of agricultural chemicals in soil vary. DDT and its isomers were found in most crop areas and in some forest areas. but these residues decreased when D D T was not used for that year, he noted. ARS' expanded pesticide soil monitoring program will take samples from some 15,000 sites throughout the U.S. for analysis at the ARS laborator) (Gulfport. Miss.). Later, data from the monitoring study will be used to review agricultural applications of pesticides. Volume 3, Number 3, March 1969 207
