Abstract

A very hot topic in the city of Kamloops currently is the proposed Gasification plant proposal. I'm glad to see a strong public contingency concerned about the technology. Everyone will be affected from such a factory, be it positive or negative. The only way to make sure the city isn't a guinea pig, is to ask questions regarding the technology, health concerns and the environment.

I will be looking at the technology itself, trying to figure out if the plant will produce the amount of pollution it intends to. The main concern from the public comes from the air pollution, this will be my main concern. I will also look into water run-off. This aspect was not taken into consideration when the minestry approved the plant.

I intend to accomplish the research by looking at currently opperating facilities around the world and see what problems and solutions they have encountered from such a facility. I will also look at what they have done correct. Maybe there are no problems and the facilities are very favorable.

My conclusion will hopefully allow people to better understand the technology. I hope to find out wheather or not this technology is safe to locate within an urban environment.

Creosote (krē′əsōt), volatile, heavy, oily liquid obtained by the distillation of coal tar or wood tar. Creosote derived from beechwood tar has been used medicinally as an antiseptic and in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. Creosote obtained from coal tar is poisonous. It is used chiefly as a preservative for wood, e.g., in fence posts, railroad ties, and telephone poles, in which it provides protection against fungi, shipworms, and termites, and is also used as a pesticide and to treat psoriasis. Creosote is considered to be highly toxic and a likely carcinogen. It can leach out into the surrounding soil and groundwater, and the fumes exuded will kill young plants in close proximity.

Copyright of Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition

Downdraft Gasification Process

Above is an illustration showing how a downdraft gasifier would work. This is the same process that will be used in the proposed Kamloops location.

Kamloops is located in a semi-arid desert. The city spans from the valley bottom (majority of population) to the hillsides that line the valley on the North and South side of the valley. The valley is also home to the South Thompson River that connects the Shuswap Lakes to Kamloops Lake, 15 minutes downstream from Kamloops. This waterway is home to the world famous Sockeye Salmon Run.

Objective

My objective is to determine if creosote burning is an Environmentally safe energy generator for the city of Kamloops and the Thompson Valley. I will be addressing the Environmental impacts of the project; as well as, researching the data that has been put forth to the government to determine if the project will do what it is intended to do.

Background

The Aboriginal Cogeneration Corporation (ACC) is the company behind the proposal to construct the Creosote plant in the city of Kamloops. The company is Canadian based. out of Winnipeg, MN. The technology intended to be used in Kamloops is known as the “downdraft gasification process”. This process is intended to be used to burn railway ties at such a high temperature as to basically disintegrate the ties, and in turn, produce “Syngas”, a type of energy. Creosote contains harmful chemical compounds that pose significant health concerns. These toxic chemicals are where the public concern comes in to play.

Project Plan

A project of this magnitude needs to be looked at on many different levels in order to be nonbiased towards the environment. Economic impact, environmental impact, and whether or not the technology being proposed, is in fact, going to perform as specified will be the areas I will be looking into.

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my blog. I created this site in order to better understand the environmental and economical aspects of the proposed Gasification Plant in Kamloops. A lot of press has been surrounding this project, and I intend to look at wheather or not this technology is safe for the community.