Hazardous Waste Reduction Potential of Noncondensable Gas Injection, Incineration, and Flash Suppression in Geothermal Power Plant Air Emissions Control Systems -- A Technical Feasibility Study Progress Report

Abstract

Many hydrogen sulfide Air Emissions Control Systems (AECS) for geothermal power plants and well/steam field vented emissions control use hazardous materials and generate hazardous waste. The costs and complexities of handling, transporting, processing, and storage of hazardous materials and waste have risen dramatically over the last few years. Development of Alternative AECS of innovate design which result in no hazardous materials use or hazardous waste generation will have substantial environmental and economic rewards. A technical feasibility study of noncondensable gas injection, incineration and flash suppression as alternative AECS which do not use hazardous materials or generate hazardous waste is being undertaken with funding from the California Department of Health Services, Hazardous Waste Reduction Grant Program. This one year feasibility project is assessing both the technical and institutional feasibility and further adoption of these innovate AECS system.