MRR NewsPushing Industry StandardsThanks to two years of hard work and a truly collaborative effort, decommissioned natural gas odorant tanks now have an environmentally friendly home at the new Material Resource Recovery Facility in Cornwall, Ontario. This state-of-the-art facility, which will serve clients throughout North America, officially opened for business on October 7, 1998. Material Resource Recovery, a Cornwall-based company, developed the facility with the support of Union Gas and Enbridge Consumers Gas. Both companies provided an early commitment to supply tanks to this facility making the project possible. Finding an environmentally sound method of tank disposal was the primary goal of both companies. Before, tanks could not be disposed of because they contained traces of mercaptan, the sulfur-based organic compound that is added to naturally odorless natural gas. Since the odor remains in the tanks even when there is no liquid present, traditional disposal or recycling options were not viable. Retired tanks remained at secured stations in the field. Material Resource Recovery has developed a treatment method and built the MRR facility in Cornwall. The only facility of its kind in North America, it uses thermal oxidation to destroy all mercaptan waste in an environmentally responsible manner. According to Alan Gray, Senior Measurement Engineer, Union Gas, thermal oxidation works by using very high heat to break down organic compounds. The waste oxidizes and is destroyed. Special filters on the furnaces prevent mercaptan and other sulphur compounds from escaping into the air. Sarah Paul, Senior Environmental Engineer, says this method is the most environmentally responsible way to dispose of the waste. Other technologies produce large quantities of liquid waste, which in turn require additional treatment and safe disposal. Also, these alternative methods could not guarantee complete removal of the residual odor from the tanks. "We are very grateful to Union Gas and Enbridge Consumers Gas for helping make our leading edge environmental facility a reality", says Damian Rodriguez, President, Material Resource Recovery. "It will be a safe and environmental alternative for the natural gas industry to use for disposal of these odorant containers." Decommissioned tanks in Union's area are being transported from their stations to the facility in Cornwall. Material Resource Recovery has developed a comprehensive transportation protocol in accordance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. They will send a technician to accompany each waste shipment from the point of origin to the Cornwall facility to ensure all health and safety and environmental protocols are followed. Other natural gas companies from across North America have expressed interest in the facility. Union Gas and Enbridge Consumers Gas will continue to be part of the venture to ensure the process continues to operate efficiently over the long-term. The above story was written by Stephanie Campeau and Andrea Pidwerbecki and appeared in the Union Gas publication "Connections". |
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