n Introduction

Electric utility companies must find efficient, cost-effective, and publicly acceptable ways to deal with a multitude of complex environmental concerns, such as pollution prevention, emissions control, waste management, and site remediation. Argonne National Laboratory has more than 25 years of experience in identifying and characterizing environmental needs; developing technologies that protect and enhance air, water, and soil quality; and evaluating options for utility applications.

Working with both government and industrial partners, Argonne has performed environmental impact assessments, created innovative rapid site characterization techniques, conducted site restoration activities, developed integrated control systems for multiple air pollutants, and developed new waste disposal methods. Utility companies can apply these multi-disciplinary capabilities in evaluating environmental issues, developing compliance strategies, and implementing innovative control technologies.

n Environmental Characterization

Conduct scientific and engineering studies for analyzing environmental issues relevant to the utility industry:

Atmospheric sciences - measurement and modeling of pollutant transport, fate, and effects.

Global climate - determination of energy transfer mechanisms in the atmosphere.

Air quality - measurement of pollutant emissions and ambient levels.

Analytical chemistry - unique analysis methods for specialized tasks.

Appearance and noise - modeling of effects to aid impact assessment and planning.

n Process Modifications

Conduct scientific and engineering research to maximize efficiency and minimize waste:

Fuel science - characterization and processing to improve fuel characteristics.

Fuel switching - analysis of opportunities and impacts on costs and emissions.

Sensors - real-time information on process characteristics.

Pollution prevention - system variants that minimize impacts.

Process control - neural nets and process visualization techniques.

n Emissions Controls

Conduct laboratory and field research to develop improved techniques for ensuring regulatory compliance:

Liquid effluents - advanced separation and treatment technologies.

Air pollutants - control options for particulate matter, acid gases, toxics, and CO2.

Systems evaluation - comparative engineering evaluations of control options.

Performance analysis - facilities and software for analyzing system performance.

n Waste Management

Conduct basic and applied research on all types of waste - nonhazardous, hazardous, mixed, and radioactive - to ensure compliance and improve process economics:

Characterization - highly specialized analytical techniques.

Minimization/volume reduction - process modifications, chemical switching, compaction.

Treatment technologies - separation and thermal, chemical, and biological destruction.

Storage and disposal - stabilization, vitrification, long-term encapsulation.

Utilization - waste-to-energy, recycling, new products.

n Site Management

Develop technologies and methodologies for characterizing and restoring degraded land and facilities to a usable, productive state:

Expedited site characterization - rapid, cost-effective, optimized approach.

Reclamation technologies - proven techniques for coal, oil, and gas sites.

Corridors and rights-of-way - innovative siting, installation, and maintenance techniques.

Site clean-up - field implementation of advanced technologies.

n Contacts

For technical information, contact Don Johnson, Argonne National Laboratory, Bldg. 362, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439; phone: 630/252?3392; e?mail: don_johnson@qmgate.anl.gov, or David Livengood, Argonne National Laboratory, Bldg. 362, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439; phone: 630/252?3737; e?mail: david_livengood@qmgate.anl.gov.

For information on working with Argonne, contact Paul Eichamer, Industrial Technology Development Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Bldg. 201, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, Illinois 60439; phone: 800/627-2596; fax: 630/252-5230.
 

June 1998
 

Argonne National Laboratory is operated by The University of Chicago for the U.S. Department of Energy under contract No. W-31-109-Eng-38.
 
 
 

An Argonne environmental scientist gathers samples for analysis.