As you start up your plant this spring, be sure to look for points where blue smoke emissions can escape. These typically include transfer points, silo-filling areas, and truck-loading locations. In addition, odors — caused by invisible volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) — often emerge from hot asphalt storage tanks.
Not only can plant emissions create opposition from your neighbors, but they also are facing increasing regulatory requirements. For instance, New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed new air regulations on blue smoke control at asphalt plants. In particular, the new Subpart 220-3 Blue Smoke Control portion of 6 NYCRR Part 220 affects these areas:
- Liquid asphalt storage tanks
- Hot-mix asphalt storage silos
- Pugmills/truck loadout/drag conveyors
Fortunately, there are several options within the industry today that are highly effective at controlling blue smoke and odor emissions. By putting controls into place now, you also will be on course with NAPA’s “The Road Forward” initiative, which challenges the asphalt industry to develop technologies and processes that can help us achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
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