Methyl Bromide Scrubbing
Systems & Technology
Peter J. Joyce
Dr. Roman Bielski
Value Recovery, Inc.
510 Heron Drive, Suite 301
Bridgeport, NJ 08014
Presentation to ERMA
Picton, New Zealand
May 19, 2010
Methyl Bromide Protects Products Worldwide
from Harmful Insects
Produce Grown in Soil Imports & Exports
Strawberries, Tomatoes, Lettuce Grapes, Produce, Wood Packaging
Toxic Exposure to Methyl Bromide plus its Ozone Destruction Potential
has Resulted in Partial Ban by the Montreal Protocol and the EPA
Ozone Layer Protects Against Skin Cancer
“..what the world wants”Direct Release &
Human Exposure
Methyl Bromide Use
Resulting in the “Ozone Hole”Protective Ozone Shield Decays ...
Achievements to Date:
Developed and patented fully operational cost effective scrubbing system to destroy methyl bromide while producing no hazardous wastes*.
Demonstrated the technology on a commercial scale at the Port of Wilmington, DE & Westville, IN
Licensed the technology for the grass-roots expansion at the Port of Stockton developed by M&L Commodities.
* Passed the California “fish test” showing no toxicity at 3 concentrations over 4 days.
California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Chapter 11, Article 3, Section 66261,24(a)(6)
Achievements – 2
Achieved BACT – Best Available Control
Technology – as determined by San Joaquin
Valley Air Pollution Control District (California).
US Patents 7,090,812 & 7,678,353. Also
International patent pending.
CH3Br+S
OO
SHNa
Na
+ Na Br
O
S
OONa
OH3C S
sodiumthiosulfate
methylbromide
sodium methyl-thiosulfate
sodiumbromide
Technology Basis:
Methyl Bromide Chemical Reaction in a Water Solution
• Methyl Bromide Converted to Non Hazardous Byproducts
• Br- Anion Analysis in scrubber solution validates MB removal
• Passed the California version of the “Fish Test”
Chapter 11, Article 3, Title 22 Section 66261,24(a)(6)
100% survival of 10 rainbow trout* at all 3 concentrations for 4 days. * Oncorhynchus mykiss
Scrubber performance
Container Fumigation
Methyl Bromide Scrubbing of an Export Container
Westfield, Indiana 9-Feb-06
Time Min ppm In ppm Out % of Inlet Destroyed
10:54 0 10,891 na Na
11:09 15 5,409 420 92.2%
11:17 23 4,105 350 91.5%
11:31 37 2,787 400 85.6%
11:42 48 1,991 300 84.9%
13:00 126 770 50 93.5%
13:23 149 601 35 94.2%
13:51 177 450 35 92.2%
14:23 209 342 30 91.2%
Average 90.7%
Lab Scale Methyl Bromide
Adsorption &
De-sorption on Carbon
Low Temp Adsorption then
High Temp (Low Flow)
De-sorption
Scaling Parameters –
Kept Constant:
Fumigation Loading and Concentration
Superficial Gas Velocity Adsorption & Des.
Cycle Times for both Adsorption & Des.
Carbon Type and Size
Temperature
Bed Depth
Cold Storage Facility*:
Port of Stockton, California
Cold Storage Receiving and Export Facility
37,000 square meters of refrigeration space –
needs fumigation facilities –
Start-up in 2009.
Imported grapes and other produce, solid wood packaging.
Export cherries, strawberries, logs, avocados etc.
Designed not to break the “cold chain”
* Developer - M&L Commodities, Inc., Modesto
**Contractor - Controlled Environ. Construction, Tustin
M&L Commodities Phase I and II – Stockton, CA
System Design
Meets all cycle time requirements
Does not influence product movement
Monitored for regulatory control –scrubber solution and inlets/outlets
BACT determination for San Joaquin Valley
Installation at M&L Commodities Cold Storage facility at Port of Stockton, CA
Port of Stockton:
East Complex
Port of Stockton, CA
•4 Phases, 18 Acres of leased land•125,000-160,000 sq/ft per phase•Frozen and Cold Storage•60,000 sq/ft USDA certified • Fumigation•Utilizing V.R. patented scrubbing technology
•Fuel Cell power plant•CBP inspection areas, labs, offices•USDA inspection areas, labs, offices
Conclusions:
• Large scale (ship) emissions control achievable by
recycling carbon – no carbon hazardous waste to
dispose of.
• Irreversible chemical destruction of methyl bromide
in a non-hazardous aqueous scrubber solution.
• Scrubber solution passes the California “fish test”.
• 90% performance guarantee, 99% available at 15%
incremental capital cost.
• BACT – Best Available Control Technology in CA
Conclusions continued:
• Scrubber solution passes the California “fish test”.
• 90% performance guarantee, 99% available at 15%
incremental capital cost.
• BACT – Best Available Control Technology in CA
Recommendations:
• Suggest positive incentives for industry to adopt large
scale emissions controls.
Grants or R&D Support