begun near Barstow, and key permits have been obtained. Startup is planned for mid-1984. Lawrence Papay of Southern California Edison, currently Cool Water Board of Control chairman, notes that the plant will be "the largest power plant based on modern U.S. coal gasification technology." Other international and domestic commitments are welcome, according to program managers.
Cooling water cleanup system
TECHNOLOGY An integrated approach to cooling water treatment has been announced by Nalco Chemical Co. (Oak Brook, 111.)· Known as DELTA-T, it addresses the entire treatment system, rather than effects of one chemical situation at a time. The approach features an allorganic corrosion control technology that, the company says, has demonstrated "superior performance" with high temperature, iron contamination levels, and alkalinity over stabilized phosphate. Needs for acid feed are often eliminated. A key to the approach, especially to iron removal, consists of proprietary organic chemicals, and wash with a citric acid-based product. Safer, nonoxidizing biocides are also featured. Single-cell protein (SCP) might be made by direct use of forestry wastes as a raw material, says Richard Buchanan, president of Envirocon Ltd. (Vancouver, B.C., Canada). Normally, Canadian pulp/paper mills generate up to 400 000 tons/year of wastes amenable to SCP culture, but which constitute a difficult disposal problem. At 50% conversion, Buchanan sees an alleviation of the disposal problem, and a 200 000-ton/year protein feed supplement production, which could be added to soymeal feed and other protein sources. He added that this production could deliver the equivalent of one crop per day of soymeal, whereas at best, farmers normally can produce two crops per year of soybeans. Reduction of diesel particulate emissions over a 50 000-mile durability run was announced by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI,
San Antonio, Tex.). The key was a catalytic filter developed by Johnson Matthey, Inc., sponsor of the test, which utilized a 50 000-mile durability protocol used by manufacturers in EPA emissions certifications. Operation also followed recommended Johnson Matthey periodic regeneration procedures. SwRI says that in tests with a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel, 50% of total tailpipe particulates were removed. Over 50 000 miles, emissions were 0.167 g/mi. The EPA standard for 1985 will be 0.2 g/mi. Desiccant-type solar energy cooling systems could have advantages over competing systems, in that a temperature input of only 150-160 ° F would be required. Adsorption and other systems normally need 180-200 °F, and therefore more costly solar collection systems, says John Howell of the University of Texas (Austin). A desiccant with large surface area exposed to moist air dries the air, and is redried by solar heat. While the air is heated somewhat by drying, it is cooled through partial rehumidification. Calcium or lithium salts, or triethylene glycol can be desiccants. The drying fluid of the desiccant cycle is usable as an absorber in the absorption cycle, which increases system efficiency and lowers costs, Howell says.
INDUSTRY The Cool Water 1000-ton/day coal gasification project (Mojave Desert, Calif.) received a pledge of $30 million toward a $300-million capitalization, from the Japan Cool Water Program Partnership. The plant would make a clean synthesis gas to produce 100 MW (net) of electricity. Plant construction has
To enhance physicians'' knowledge of occupational medicine, a course, "The Expanding Role of Occupational Medicine," is cosponsored by the American Occupational Medical Association (Chicago), and Georgia's School of Medicine. The aim is to give greater insight into workplace medicine to doctors who divide their time between such medicine and regular private practice. This way, more of a feel for toxicology and industrial hygiene can be imparted to clinicians. One motivation may be public pressure to hold industry accountable for maintaining a certain level of health among employees.
Stark: profit from cleaned water How might proper technical skills for wastewater plant operation/ maintenance be developed? Operations Management International Inc. (OMI, Kingwood, Tex.), believes that an answer is for OMI to manage such plants for a fee, employ plant staff, and train personnel properly in operation/maintenance of plants and equipment. This training, OMI President Michael Stark says, will lead to avoidance of rapid breakdown, and staggering costs of system replacements. OMI would, as part of its job running the plant, impart to staff the necessary skills for sophisticated systems. Another aim is to run a plant as a business to sell cleaned water at a profit, and to alleviate the extreme scarcity of necessary skilled technical personnel nationwide. Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol. 16, No. 4, 1982
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